Dominant Starts for McLaughlin-Levrone, Thomas, and Bednarek at Grand Slam Track Series Debut

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone breaks April record, Bednarek edges Seville in the 100m race, and Gabby Thomas wins the 200m

American Kenny Bednarek wins the 100m race (Photo: Grand Slam Track)

The new Grand Slam Track series kicked off in Kingston on Friday, with the newly renovated track at the National Stadium witnessing a series of thrilling and world-leading performances.

Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas opened the meet with a commanding win in the women’s 200m, clocking 22.62 seconds. Marileidy Paulino secured second place, followed by Dina Asher-Smith in third.

American sprinter Kenny Bednarek closed the evening in style, taking the men’s 100m short sprints title with a time of 10.07 seconds, edging out Jamaica’s Oblique Seville.

In one of the most talked-about performances of the night, Olympic champion and 400m hurdles world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone dominated the women’s 400m hurdles. Her time of 52.76 seconds not only secured victory by nearly two seconds but also marked the fastest time ever recorded in April. McLaughlin-Levrone became the first woman to break the 53-second barrier so early in the season.

In the men’s 400m hurdles, Brazil’s Alison dos Santos outpaced Jamaican favorite Roshawn Clarke, taking the win in 47.61 seconds.