Triple jumper Edwards revels in maiden national title
AFTER winning his first national senior title, men’s triple jump champion Apalos Edwards says he is heading back to his United States base to fine-tune preparations for the Commonwealth Games set for July 23 to August 2.
On Sunday’s final day of the 2026 Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA)/Puma National Junior & Senior Championships at the National Stadium, Edwards jumped 16.28m (1.0m/s) to beat Kansas State teammate Jhavor Bennett who registered a wind-aided 15.78m (2.5m/s). Romaine Lewis was third with a wind-aided 15.27m (4.6m/s).
Edwards said he was hoping to have jumped farther but said he knows what he has to work on.
Antonio Watson reacts after winning the men’s 400m during the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association National Championships.
“To be honest, I expected more, but it is okay. I will take that, as I know when the time comes I will jump farther,” the 24-year-old said after his title-winning performance.
It’s back to Manhattan, Kansas, to aim for improvements, he said. “[I am] going to be putting in the work and see where we go with that.”
World number two-ranked triple jumper Jordan Scott, who was second in the Doha Diamond League meet on Friday with a personal best 17.69m, was at the stadium on Sunday but got an exemption from the national trial and is expected to be named in the Jamaica team.
Stacey Williams runs in the women’s 400m final during the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association National Championships.
Former World Athletics champion Antonio Watson ran a splendid 44.73 seconds, his fastest time since 2023, to win the men’s 400m and claim his first men’s senior national championships title.
Delano Kennedy was second with 45.11 while Zaveir Brown was third with 45.26.
Stacey Ann Williams ran 50.33 to win the women’s 400m and cop her first senior national title, finishing ahead of Leah Anderson (51.04) and Shana Kay Anderson in 51.52.
Apalos Edwards competes in the men’s triple jump during the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association National Championships at the National Stadium on Sunday.
Nayoka Clunis claimed a sixth women’s hammer throw title after topping the field on Sunday with 68.93m.
The two-time World Athletics Championships competitor, who is ranked fourth in the Commonwealth, dominated the event with five throws over 65.00m.The NACAC silver medallist last year had won titles in 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and last year.
Britannia Johnson of Purdue University was second with 52.70m while Fabrienne Foster of the University of North Texas was third with 48.00m.
