**Tina Clayton Stuns with Victory in Women’s 100m at Jamaica’s National Championships**
In a thrilling display of speed and determination, 19-year-old Tina Clayton claimed victory in the women’s 100m final at Jamaica’s National Championships, also known as the National Trials, clocking an impressive **10.81 seconds** on Friday night. The race, held at the National Stadium in Kingston, showcased Jamaica’s deep sprinting talent, with seasoned champions and rising stars battling for supremacy.
### **A Star-Studded Lineup**
The final featured a stacked field, with some of Jamaica’s biggest names in sprinting. The lanes were arranged as follows:
– **Lane 3:** Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the five-time world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist
– **Lane 4:** Tia Clayton, Tina’s twin sister and a rising sprint talent
– **Lane 5:** Tina Clayton, the eventual winner
– **Lane 6:** Shericka Jackson, the reigning 200m world champion and Olympic medalist
– **Lane 7:** Alana Reid, the young standout who made waves last season
With such a competitive lineup, the race was expected to be a fierce battle between experience and youth.
### **The Race Breakdown**
From the gun, Tina Clayton exploded out of the blocks, matching the fast starts of Fraser-Pryce and Jackson. By the 30-meter mark, she had established a slight lead, while Fraser-Pryce and Jackson fought to close the gap. However, Clayton maintained her composure, driving through the middle of the race with powerful strides.
In the final meters, Shericka Jackson surged, but Clayton held on, crossing the line first in **10.81 seconds**, a personal best and a statement-making performance. Shericka Jackson finished second in **10.84**, while Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who had been dealing with injury concerns this season, took third in **10.94**.
### **Significance of the Win**
Tina Clayton’s victory is a major milestone in her young career. Known primarily for her success in the 4x100m relays (where she helped Jamaica win gold at the 2022 World U20 Championships), this win proves she is a force to be reckoned with in individual sprints.
Her time of **10.81** makes her one of the fastest Jamaican women this season and positions her as a strong contender for the upcoming **Paris 2024 Olympics**. More importantly, she defeated two of Jamaica’s most decorated sprinters—Fraser-Pryce and Jackson—proving that the next generation is ready to take over.
### **Reactions from the Track World**
– **Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce**, who has been the face of Jamaican sprinting for over a decade, praised Clayton’s performance, calling it a “sign of great things to come.”
– **Shericka Jackson**, who is more dominant in the 200m, acknowledged that Clayton had an outstanding race but hinted that she would be back stronger.
– **Tina Clayton** herself expressed gratitude, saying, *“I’ve worked hard for this, and to win against such incredible athletes is a dream come true.”*
### **What’s Next?**
With this victory, Tina Clayton has likely secured her spot on Jamaica’s Olympic team. The question now is whether she can challenge for a medal in Paris. Her time of **10.81** puts her in the global conversation, though she will still need to contend with the likes of Sha’Carri Richardson (USA), Marie-Josée Ta Lou (Ivory Coast), and Dina Asher-Smith (Great Britain).
Meanwhile, Shericka Jackson will shift her focus to the **200m**, where she remains the favorite, while Fraser-Pryce will aim to regain her top form ahead of the Olympics.
### **Conclusion**
Tina Clayton’s victory at Jamaica’s National Trials is more than just a win—it’s a **changing of the guard**. At just 19, she has announced herself as the future of Jamaican sprinting, proving that the country’s dominance in women’s sprinting is in safe hands. The road to Paris 2024 just got even more exciting.
**Final Results (Top 3):**
**Tina Clayton** – 10.81 (PB)
**Shericka Jackson** – 10.84
**Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce** – 10.94