KINGSTON, Jamaica — Defending champions Roshawn Clarke and Janieve Russell on Thursday led the semi-final rounds of the men’s and women’s 400m hurdles to qualify for Friday’s finals of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) National Championships at the National Stadium.

Clarke, the national record holder and World Championships fourth place finisher last year, won his heat in 49.06 seconds but was upstaged by Malik James- King who led all qualifiers with 48.39 seconds to win his heat.

The veteran, 36-year-old Roxroy Cato equalled his personal best- 48.42 seconds ran earlier this month, while Jaheel Hyde clocked 48.45 seconds.

Russell, who won the National Championships the last three years, looked poised in her season’s best 54.00 seconds. Andrenette Knight ran a lifetime best 54.09 seconds, while two-time World Championships bronze medallist, Rushell Clayton, clocked 54.54 seconds.

Ronda White qualified with 55.77 seconds, Shiann Salmon in 56.49 seconds and National Collegiate Athletic Association finalist Gabrielle Matthews 56.95 seconds.

— Paul A Reid