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.
