ELEVEN MEDALS POSSIBLE IN BEIJING (PERHAPS SIX GOLD)

Several weeks ago, I posted about how at the time Jamaica’s prospects for medals at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China, looked bleak. At the time Bolt was looking like a shadow of himself and most of Jamaica’s top campaigners were not demonstrating the kind of form that would suggest that they would be ready to take on the world come late August.

I am happy to say that things have changed for the better now because as of today Jamaica’s prospects are a lot brighter. In fact, based on current form, which I might add, is the form one wants to be going into a major championship with, Jamaica could end up with it’s best medal haul ever.

Below are my picks for prospective medals in Beijing this summer.

Men’s 100 metres:

Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell.

Before Bolt was treated for a blocked pelvic joint a few weeks ago, he didn’t even vaguely resemble the man who won eight world championship gold medals since 2009. His 10.12s was ranked somewhere near the bottom half of the top 1oo times in the world and it didn’t seem as if he was going to improve any time soon. However, following back-to-back 9.87 runs in London in early July, and the reliable information I have received regarding his training, I think Bolt is not only going to unseat Justin Gatlin as the fastest man in the world this year, he could also threaten his own world record of 9.58s.

This is the first time in a long while that Asafa will be entering major competition healthy and in form. The change of coach and a year and a half off base work which has seen him get stronger I think will help Powell earn his first individual medal since he finished third to Bolt and Tyson Gay in Berlin in 2009. Back then he clocked 9.84, this time I believe he could go a lot faster meaning he could challenge for the silver medal. His coach and brother Donovan, believes Asafa, once he puts his complete race together, can lower his personal best of 9.72. If he can do that in Beijing good things can happen for him.

(2 medals)

Men’s 200 metres:

See above re Bolt.

Andre DeGrasse and Justin Gatlin will battle for the other two medals

(1 medal)

Men’s 110 metre hurdles

Omar McLeod goes into this World Championships, his first, as the fastest sprint hurdler going to Beijing. The fastest in the world, Orlando Ortega of Cuba, will not be there. McLeod’s 12.97s run at the national championships in June makes him second fastest in the world just ahead of defending champion David Oliver of the USA (12.98). McLeod, in what is his first season as a pro, has run 50 races so far this season so the big question for him is can his legs hold up during this competition. He believes they will and if believes it then Oliver, Aleec Harris, Aries Merritt, Pascal-Martinot-Lagarde and company had better watch out. McLeod has both the composure and the speed to emulate Briana Rollins in 2013 as NCAA champions who went onto to take the world title.

Similarly, Hansle Parchment, who has not raced much this year could be another medal contender. If he can produce a time close to his personal best and national record, we could see him on the podium.

However, as much as I would like to see both on the podium given the depth of talent in the event, I will only put one there. Who from Jamaica makes it is the one who brings his A game to the competition.

(1 medal)

Jamaica’s strength in the field events has been on the rise over the past decade or so and it stands to take a significant step forward in Beijing if it’s throwers can bring it.

In the shot put, O’Dayne Richards is the third best thrower in the world this year. Only Joe Kovacs and David Storl have produced better throws than his personal best and new national record of 21.69m this season. The reports on him suggest that he could approach 22 metres in Beijing. If that proves to be the case he could just make the podium.

Similarly. the presence Frederick Dacres, Chad Wright and Jason Morgan on the team means that for the first time ever Jamaica will field three world class discus throwers in a major competition. Morgan and Dacres were world-leading throwers this year. Morgan produced a 68.19m in Mississippi, in early June that was only recently surpassed by Piotr Malachowski’s 68.29m. Morgan has yet to reproduce that form but we can only hope he can deliver in Beijing.

Dacres was the world leader in January with 66.30m and later produced a 66.40 before injury disrupted his season. The World Youth Champion and World Junior Champion is now fully recovered and has a habit of producing his best performances in major championships. He recently won Pan Am gold with a throw of 64.80m which suggests he is on track to produce something special in the next two weeks.

Wright has been consistent all season and this will prove to be a valuable experience for him.

I do think that of the four gentlemen mentioned, one of them will bring home a medal and which is why I had added one from the throws to my tally.

(1 medal)

The men’s 4x100m, once they get the baton around will medal. Whether that medal is gold or silver depends on who is on the team and where they run.

(1 medal)

Women’s 100m:

Shelly Ann Frazer-Pryce, barring injury or some unholy act of nature, should win the women’s 100 metres. SAFP has been the most superior female sprinter in the world since 2008 and as she has matured she has become a lot harder to beat. After emerging from the other side of an injury hit season in 2014, the Pocket Rocket is back to firing on all cylinders and is likely to come home with her third World Championship 100 metre gold medal.

(1 medal)

Women’s 200 metres:

Elaine Thompson.

Thompson has been the find for Jamaica this year. She has produced times of 10.84, 10.94 and 10.97 in the 100 metres but her coach Stephen Francis says she is better at the deuce. Skeptics including myself scoffed at the idea but after producing 22.37s earlier this season she delivered a very pleasing 22.10s in London in July after what her coach said was a month of heavy loading. Only Felix, who is not entered in the 200m, Candace McGlone and Dafne Schippers have been faster this year. Once Thompson has been tapered and remains healthy, we could see her break 22 seconds and bring home gold in Beijing. It wont be easy. Schippers and a trio of Americans, Okagbare, if she runs the event and 2013 silver medalist Muriele Ahoure, will make it hard for her but she is good enough to secure a place on the podium.

(1 medal)

Women’s 400 metre hurdles:

Kaleise Spencer hasn’t raced much this season but when she has she has looked good. The 2014 Diamond League champion is coming off a foot injury but she will have it all to do to defeat the reigning world champion Suzana Hejnova who has looked good this season having returned from surgery last year. It will be a battle to the wire but Spencer should medal regardless.

(1 medal)

Women’s 4x100m

Jamaica should win this event. A fit Shelly Ann Frazer Pryce, Elaine Thompson, Sherone Simpson who has returned to form winning the Pan Am 100 metre title in 10.95s her best time in seven years and Veronica Campbell Brown, should prove to be too good for the rest of the world including their fierce rivals the USA.

(1 medal)

Women’s 4x400m

Christine Day, Stephanie Ann McPherson, Shericka Jackson, and Novelene Williams-Mills have enough quality to secure a place on the podium. On the current form of new national champion Day and the ever improving Jackson, silver is a likely possibility. The USA is way to deep to beat.

(1 medal)