OUTSIDE of the usual sprint stars, which Jamaican athlete do you think is most likely to shine at these World Athletics Championships?

Floyd Quarrie, QPC Sports founder and head coach: I would say Ashanti Moore. She’s constantly been progressing this season, and she’s had two personal bests over the 200m and managed to get down to sub-11 seconds in the 100m, so I think she’s poised and set to do something great [in the women’s 200m] at this year’s championships.

Trishana McGowan, track and field analyst: Our field event athletes had a very great Paris Olympic Games and I think some will carry over — not the same athletes but I’m looking forward to seeing Ralford Mullings, our new national record holder (72.01m), in the men’s discus throws.

Based on those performances, he has shown this season that we just might see another discus thrower getting on to the podium for Jamaica. Which medal he will get, I’m not certain, because the field events can be a little bit trick[y] at times; it requires the series and how well some of the series come together. If he should get to the final and put together a really good throw series I can see him getting unto the podium. That would carry over from last year when we had Roje Stona winning the Olympics with a record.

Mullings getting the national record is very telling of the talent he has and the form he’s in. That augurs well for him getting unto the podium.

I’m also looking forward to seeing Antonio Watson in the 400m. He’s the defending champion and has not looked the best of himself since walking away with that gold medal in 2023, but coming into this championship he’d want to give himself a chance to see if he can challenge for and retain his title. It will be very, very difficult.

At the moment, I think he’s ranked outside of the top five, but he’s such a warrior and I think Coach Glen Mills has done such a good job with him, likewise Oblique Seville, of overcoming the injuries to get to the World Championships and be in a good standing to do well in their respective events.

Those are the two athletes outside of the sprint stars that I’ll be paying close attention to. Hopefully, both can get unto the podium but they must first get to the finals.

Daniel Blake, sports writer: I’m expecting something big from Ackera Nugent. Although the sprint hurdles are one of the most difficult events to predict, her performances over the last two years makes her one of, if not, the favourite. She’s matured since breaking the national record in 12.24 seconds plus her Olympic final appearance last year. She’s also broken the 12.4 seconds six times this season, and I think with the right conditions could very well run in the 12.1 range.

Mathue Tapper, Tapp Track Academy founder and head coach: I think Orlando Bennett may surprise us in the 110m hurdles. I am also excited to see how Jordan Scott will do in the triple jump in his magical 2025 season.

Trishana McGowan

Daniel Blake

Mathue Tapper