Pinnock lands Jamaica's first medal at World U20 Champs

Michael Stephens had to settle for a 7th place finish in the 100 metres on Wednesday’s second day of the IAAF World Under-20 Championships in Tampere, Finland. Stephens clocked 10.31 seconds as the race was won by Lqalu Muhammad Zohri of Indonesia in a national junior record of 10.18 seconds.

The American pair of Anthony Schwartz and Eric Harrison copped silver and bronze respectively with the identical time of 10.22. Earlier, Stephens clocked another personal best as he registered 10.22 seconds to finish second in his semi-final. Michael Bentley who ran 10.34 in the opening round, did not turn-up for the semi-final due to injury.

It was long jumper Wayne Pinnock who copped the nation's first medal of the championships, leaping 7.90 metres for bronze in the event. Japan's Yuki Hashioka took gold with 8.03 metres with Cuba's Maikel Vidal taking silver.

Also in the evening session, Orlando Bennett and Damion Thomas advanced to the final of the men's 110m hurdles after finishing first and second in their respective semi-finals. Bennett looked easy in crossing the line in 13.45 seconds winning semi-final two.

Thomas, the national youth record holder, was runner-up in the third semi-final with 13.37 seconds, behind winner Jason Nicholson of Great Britain in a personal best 13.12 seconds. Jamaica didn’t have it all their way on the day though, as Shaqueena Foote and Chrissani May both failed to make the final of the girls 800m.

Foote with 2 minutes, 08.02 seconds was only good enough for 6th in semi-final one, while May ended 8th in semi-final 3 in 2 minutes, 10.70 seconds. Elsewhere, Jamaica's lone competitor in the women's 400 metres, Stacey-Ann Williams qualified for Thursday final as a fastest loser after clocking 53 seconds flat for third in her semi-final.

Susan Francis and Ackelia Smith will be the first Jamaicans in action on day three in the women's long jump qualification. On the track, Mailk James-King, Leonardo Legister and Xavier Nairne will highlight Jamaica's action in the morning session.