Thursday, March 26, 2026

Clement Leads Decathlon Charge at Champs, Eyes Record Chase

by Michael Bascombe

KINGSTON, Jamaica, March 26, 2026 — Grenadian multi-event standout Jurel Clement has positioned himself for a strong title defence after taking the lead at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships decathlon at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Representing the powerhouse Kingston College, the former Hillsborough Secondary School student closed Day One atop the standings with 3,617 points, holding a slim 28-point advantage over Jaquan Souden of Happy Grove High School, who sits second with 3,589 points.

Clement delivered a well-balanced performance across the five events contested on the opening day. He sprinted to victory in the 100 metres in 10.98 seconds, setting the tone early, and followed up with a series of consistent finishes, placing second in the long jump (6.80m), shot put (11.88m), and 400 metres (50.84 seconds), while securing third in the high jump with a clearance of 1.78m.

With the competition finely poised, Clement will begin Day Two with the 110m hurdles before moving into the discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and the gruelling 1500 metres, events that will ultimately determine the decathlon champion.

The defending champion now has his sights set not only on retaining his crown, but also on chasing the meet record of 6,969 points, established in 2023 by fellow Grenadian Isaiah Patrick, also of Kingston College.

Meanwhile, there were near-podium finishes for Grenadian athletes in the middle-distance events. Nicholas Frederick of Alphansus Davis High School placed fourth in the Class One Boys’ 1500 metres in 4:00.76, while teammate Ameiah Samuel finished fifth in the Girls’ equivalent in 4:51.59.

Frederick will return to the track on Thursday for the 800 metres preliminaries as Grenadian athletes continue their campaign at Champs.

 

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