SAMANTHA Hall claimed a historic gold medal for Jamaica on Thursday when she threw 61.66m to win the women’s discus throw during the 23rd Commonwealth Games at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland.

It was the first medal of any colour for a Jamaican woman in the event at the Commonwealth Games.

Hall, who was a finalist at the World Athletics Championships last year, said she had been motivated to win going into the competition.

She told the Jamaica Observer on Thursday she only knew of Jamaica’s history in the event after arriving in Scotland.

“Yes, I found out since I got here, which [made] me even more motivated to create history,” she said, adding that her number one raking in the event gave her an extra push.

“Every one expects me to win,” she reasoned.

She is hopeful that the accomplishment will bring even more rewards.

“Winning Commonwealth Games [gold] is a huge achievement for me. I just hope to be sponsored,” the discus thrower noted.

Hall had to battle Canada’s 19-year-old Julia Tunks for the gold.

Tunks, who was ranked second going into the championships, took the lead in the second round with 60.67m, her best throw. But Hall rallied with 60.95m in the fourth round and then extended her lead in the fifth round. India’s Seema took the bronze medal with 58.65m.

Hall said: “I would rate my competition as 6/10. I was aiming for 64.00m, but the cold weather had different plans for me. I’m still happy for the win.”

In addition to the gold medal on Thursday, the country’s fourth of the 2026 Games, Jamaicans won two silver medals and a bronze. They have eight medals overall and are third in the track and field medal.

Australia and Canada are tied in the lead with 11 medals (four gold, four silver and three bronze). England are fourth with three gold, four silver, and four bronze, followed by India with two gold, four silver, and two bronze.

Jamaica’s Ackelia Smith in the women’s triple jump and Megan Simmonds in the 100m hurdles won silver medals, while Shantae Foreman won bronze in the triple jump.

World leader Thea Lafond of Dominica won the gold medal in the women’s triple jump with 14.60m (0.7m/s) to complete a full set of medals at the Commonwealth Games after taking bronze in 2018 and silver in 2022.

It was the first time since 2006 that a Jamaican woman had not won the event. Smith was second with 14.04m (1.0m/s) after finishing sixth in 2022. Foreman was third with 13.96m (1.3m/s).

(From left) Second-placed Megan Simmonds of Jamaica, winner Devynne Charlton of The Bahamas and third-placed Tobi Amusan of Nigeria celebrate after competing in the women’s 100m hurdles final on Thursday.

World Indoor champion and Bahamian national record holder Devynne Charlton triumphed in the 100m hurdles final, clocking a wind-aided 12.33 seconds (2.5m/s). She held off Simmonds, who ran 12.41. Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, winner of the last two editions, had to be satisfied with the bronze medal after timing 12.60.

Three Jamaican women and two men qualified for Friday’s 200m finals amidst strong performances.

All three women were second in their respective semi-finals.

Ashanti Moore, who had been given a bye through the first round, clocked 22.49 (1.7m/s), behind Adaejah Hodge of the British Virgin Islands, who set a Commonwealth Games record 22.01.

National champion Alana Reid ran a wind-aided 22.64 (4.7m/s), the same time given to Australia’s Torrie Lewis.

Lavanya Williams timed 22.71 (1.5m/s) to finish behind Trinidad and Tobago’s Shaniqua Bascombe, who ran a personal best 22.31.

Christopher Taylor ran a wind-aided 20.20 (3.5m/s) to win his semi-final heat, while Jevaughn Powell was second in his heat with 20.24 (2.0m/s), the same time given to Joseph Amoah of Ghana.

Jamaica’s Shantae Foreman lands in the pit in the women’s triple jump final on Thursday.

Roshawn Clarke did not complete his semi-final race.

World Championships semi-finalist Navasky Anderson just qualified for the final of the men’s 800m, diving over the finish line in 1:45.38 to finish fourth in his semi-final and advance on time.

In the morning session, Jordan Scott and Dejanae Oakley led the qualifying for the finals of the men’s triple jump and women’s 400m, respectively.

Scott, who is the number one ranked athlete in the event, needed only two attempts to book his place with a wind-aided 16.56m (2.5m/s).

Oakley, who drew a bye through the first round, ran 51.18 to defeat Jamaica-based Sada Williams of Barbados. Williams, the defending champion, ran 51.85.

Jamaica’s other representatives Shana Kaye Anderson, who was fourth in her race in 52.87, and Leah Anderson, who was sixth in 54.15, failed to advance.

There was disappointment in the men’s 400m semi-finals after Antonio Watson was disqualified after his semi-final race.

Zandrion Barnes is the only Jamaican to advance to the final after he ran 45.38. Delano Kennedy was fifth in his semi-final and failed to progress.

Elvis Graham threw 65.07m after two fouls in the qualifying for the men’s javelin throw and was 16th overall. He failed to qualify for the final.

Jamaica’s Shantae Foreman lands in the pit in the women’s triple jump final on Thursday.