Megan Simmonds will be Jamaica’s only hope of a first Ultimate Championships win on Friday’s first day after she qualified for the final of the 100m hurdles at the National Athletics Center in Budapest, Hungary.

Simmonds, who was the only Jamaican finalist in the sprint hurdles after the three men also failed to get past the semi-finals of the 110m event, placed fourth in the first semi-final, running 12.54 seconds (0.9m/s) after a fast start to book her place.

World Record holder Masai Russell of the USA won with 12.38 seconds, followed by Nadine Visser of the Netherlands in 12.49 seconds and American Alaysha Johnson- 12.50 seconds.

Ackera Nugent fell after the ninth hurdle and did not finish the race.

In the second semi-final, two-time World Athletics Championships winner Danielle Williams just missed qualifying after she placed fifth in 12.72 seconds (-0.2m/s) and national champion Demisha Roswell was eighth in 13.04 seconds.

Commonwealth Games winner Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas won with 12.45 seconds, ahead of Tobi Amusan of Nigeria 12.49 seconds, Pia Skrzyszowska of Poland – 12.62 seconds and Alia Armstrong of the USA- 12.65 seconds.

Orlando Bennett was also fifth in his 110m hurdles semi-final, running 13.29 seconds (0.7m/s) and Demario Prince was seventh in 13.58 seconds after hitting a hurdle near the end of the race.

Tyler Mason was seventh in his semi-final in 13.46 seconds (0.6m/s).
-Paul A Reid