A total of eight athletes ranked in the top 10 globally in their respective events has been named in Jamaica’s 43-member team to the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, from August 27-31.

Though a few high-profile athletes, including triple jump rising sensation Jaydon Hibbert, have withdrawn, the Jamaican contingent features the likes of 100m hurdles world leader Kerrica Hill and women’s 100m Under-20 world leader Alana Reid.

Hill won the gold medal in the sprint hurdles in Cali, Colombia, two years ago, while Reid claimed bronze in the women’s 200m.

Reid, who was part of the Jamaica team at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, is ranked number one in the women’s 100m, while Theianna-Lee Terrelonge, who won the women’s 100m at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Under-20 Championships (national junior trial) in June, is ranked third.

Hill, who missed the national trial due to injury, is the top-ranked women’s Under-20 sprint hurdler while Habiba Harris is number two.

Shanoya Douglas is the second-ranked female 200m runner going into the World Under-20 Championships, which has been reduced to five days, one fewer than previous stagings.

Also included in the Jamaica team is Kelly-Ann Kerr, the fifth-ranked women’s 400m hurdler.

Men’s sprinter Gary Card is ranked number three in the 200m and fourth in the 100m; Daniel Wright is ranked number five in the 400m hurdles; and Shaiquan Dunn is ranked seventh in the discus throw.

Keith Wellington, Jamaica’s head of delegation, backs the team to do well in Peru.

“[Though the championships is] later than usual, we have had no complaints. Yes, we would have preferred if it was closer to the staging of the trial, but we think our athletes will do well. We have real quality in the team.”

He added the JAAA had staged several training camps and “had a meet for the athletes last weekend and the performances were credible.”

Meanwhile, World Under-20 triple jump record holder Hibbert, who won the Under-20 long jump at the JAAA Championships, ended his season early after sustaining an injury while finishing fourth in the men’s triple jump at the Paris Olympics. He had been expected to contest the men’s long/triple jump double in Lima.

Wellington confirmed that American-born Skyler Franklin, who won the Girls’ Under-20 400m and was second in the 200m equivalent at the national trial, missed out because “she was unable to present a Jamaican passport” in time for the submission of entries.

United States-based long jumper Alliyah Foster and local-based Rhianna Lewis have also missed out. The Observer was unable to confirm the reasons for their withdrawal.

JAMAICA TEAM: Women — Abigail Campbell, Abrina Wright, Alana Reid, Alliah Baker, Anecia Campbell, Briana Campbell, Deschanique Douglas, Habiba Harris, Jade-Ann Dawkins, Jaeda Robinson, Kelly-Ann Kerr, Kitania Headley, Najhada Seymour, Nastassia Fletcher, Roshana Sudlow, Sabrian Dockery, Shamoya Morris, Shanniqua Williams, Shanoya Douglas, Shanique Williams, Theianna-Lee Terrelonge

Men — Chad Hendrick, Chavez Penn, Daniel Beckford, Daniel Wright, Deandre Daley, Demarco Bennett, Gary Card, Jabari Matheson, Jace Witter, Javaughn Pinnock, Junior Galimore, Kemarrio Bygrave, Kyle Richards, Marcino Rose, Nyrone Wade, Omary Robinson, Richard Hall, Romario Hines, Shadane Smith, Shaiquan Dunn, Trevoy Smith

Management — Keith Wellington (team leader), Michael McIntosh (assistant manager), Cherine Richards (assistant manager), Nackesia Edwards (safeguarding officer)

Technical leader — David Riley

Coaches — Michael Dyke, Corey Bennett, Neil Harrison, Jeremy Delisser, Michael Vassell, Megan Wilson-Copeland

Team doctor — Dr Christopher Lynch

Physiotherapist — Kamala Forbes