TOKYO, Japan — For Jamaica, Thursday’s sixth day of action in Tokyo felt like a deep breath before a roar; the medal podium elusive in the midst of significant, yet smaller victories, mixed with disappointments and everything in-between.

However, Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, Bryan Levell, and Jordan Scott will lead today’s medal charge in the women’s and men’s 200m, as well as the men’s triple jump final, respectively, as they look to add to the country’s six-medal tally.

Levell confirmed that he is a legitimate threat to the podium, flying off the curve and easing into a comfortable 19.78-second run on his way to winning his men’s 200m semi-final ahead of Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo. The result sets up a mouth-watering clash with defending champion Noah Lyles, who won his semi-final in a blistering 19.51 seconds, and Kenny Bednarek, who also advanced after clocking 19.88.

“It’s a good feeling that I made it to my first World Championships final,” Levell said. “I think it’s going to be a good one. He’s a great competitor, just like the others, such as the Olympic champion Letsile, Kenny and others. It’s going to be a big battle.”

“I’m definitely not [worried about that time], I am just focused on my own lane,” added Levell, who is looking to become the first Jamaican to medal in the event at the World Championships since Usain Bolt in 2015.

Even though he denies that his world-leading 19.51-second run was a response to Levell’s 19.78 effort, Lyles has clearly taken note of the smooth-sprinting Jamaican.

“I think he [Levell] has proven himself already,” Lyles said. “Of course, I think he wants to end the season with a medal like all of us do. He’s a great talent. I don’t know how long he has been around, but he’s doing his thing now.

“It was a statement for everybody. We were trying to make a statement that you are not going to beat me off this turn. I thought I heard Zharnel (Hughes) breathing, so I was like, I am not getting caught by Zharnel. I decided to keep up the pace until about 20m.”

The returning Christopher Taylor ran a second-straight personal best — 20.21 — but his effort was only good enough for fifth place in his semi-final. Adrian Kerr, competing at his first World Championships, also missed out on the final after finishing sixth in 20.08.

The men’s 200m final will face the starter at 10:06 pm (8:06 am Jamaica time).

Jackson, the two-time defending champion in the women’s 200m, will also be gunning for a return to the top of the podium. A win here would make her the first woman since Allyson Felix to claim three titles, following the American’s triumphs in 2005, 2007, and 2009.

Jackson clocked a season’s best 21.99 to win her semi-final and is expected to face off with 100m champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in a fiery battle after the American also advanced with a 22.00-second run.

Ashanti Moore, 22.51, finished third in her semi-final and did not progress.

Jamaica’s third medal prospect today is Jordan Scott in the men’s triple jump final, which takes place at 8:50 pm (6:50 am Jamaica time).

Scott arrived in Tokyo with the fourth-best mark of 17.51m and had a relaxed qualifying round on Wednesday. He is seeking to become the first Jamaican man to medal in the triple jump at either the World Championships or the Olympic Games.

“I am very pleased, I think it was a good showing,” Scott said. “I have a few things to work on going into the final, but I am in a good place. I feel healthy and everything feels good in general, and I am looking forward to Friday.”

Thursday’s highlight came from Navasky Anderson, who broke the national record with a 1:43.72-minute run to qualify for the men’s 800m final. Rusheen McDonald, meanwhile, narrowly missed the podium in the men’s 400m final.

Anderson finished third in his semi-final and enters the final with the fifth-fastest time overall. Teammate Tyrice Taylor did not advance, after placing seventh in 1:46.56.

In the men’s 400m final, McDonald delivered a brave performance but was pipped at the line, finishing fourth in 44.28. The gold medal went to Botswana’s Busang Kebinatshipi in a world-leading 43.53, followed by Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards (43.73) and Botswana’s Bayapo Ndori (44.20).

There was disappointment in the women’s high jump, as Lamara Distin failed to clear 1.83m in the qualifying round and missed out on a return to the World Championships final.

Medal favourite Shanieka Ricketts also fell short in the women’s triple jump final, finishing fifth with 14.56m, while Ackelia Smith managed 14.37m for eighth place.

The event was won by Cuba’s Leyanis Hernandez (14.94m), ahead of Dominica’s Thea Lafond (14.89m) and Venezuela’s Yulimar Rojas (14.76m).

Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson competing in the women’s 200m heats during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday. (Photo: AFP)

Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts competes in the women’s triple jump final on Thursday. (Photo: AFP)