Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone dazzles but Josh Kerr and Daryll Neita fall short at Grand Slam Track in Jamaica

Updated 07/04/2025 at 08:39 GMT+1

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone headlined the winners on the third and final day of the inaugural Grand Slam Track meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, as the American was unstoppable in the flat 400m. However, uncompetitive showings from Josh Kerr and Daryll Neita ended a disappointing opening event for Team GB athletes, notwithstanding Matt Hudson-Smith's dramatic Long Sprints victory on Day 2.

Jefferson-Wooden secures Short Sprints title after coming from behind to win 200m

Video credit: TNT Sports

McLaughlin-Levrone the class of the field on Grand Slam Track Day 3

A dominant display from Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone brought the curtain down on a successful inaugural Grand Slam Track event in Jamaica.

The Olympic gold medallist won her flat 400m by over a second to secure the $100,000 women's Long Hurdles overall prize and hinted she may try her hand at more events in future Slams.

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She was the eighth and final category winner of an afternoon that featured plenty of flat action for the hurdlers - Danielle Williams kicked the day three action off by winning the 100m on her lunge to overhaul Tia Jones and claim the women’s Short Hurdles overall Slam, and $100,000 prize money.

Alison dos Santos won a similarly tight 400m against main rival Roshawn Clarke as the towering Brazilian timed his effort perfectly down the home straight to secure maximum points in the men’s Long Hurdles before Sasha Zhoya blazed to glory in the men’s Short Hurdles flat 100m, outscoring Dylan Beard overall and promising to put his dollars towards buying a Paris apartment.

Josh Kerr and Cole Hocker were relegated to a sideshow in the men’s 800m as Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Marco Arop fought out a blistering battle, the Canadian claiming the race while Wanyonyi secured the Short Distance overall - Kerr finished second from bottom in the category behind his compatriot Neil Gourley.

Likewise, Daryll Neita could not replicate national team-mate Matt Hudson-Smith’s day two success over 200m, bringing to a close a disappointing Grand Slam Track curtain-raiser for Team GB athletes.

Highlights: McLaughlin-Levrone stars as inaugural Grand Slam Track meeting comes to close

Video credit: TNT Sports

Agonisingly close to Olympic bronze in Paris, Neita faltered after the bend as Melissa Jefferson-Wooden triumphed in a see-saw battle with Jenna Prandini to secure maximum points in the women’s Short Sprints.

The men’s 3000m provided some of the most intriguing action as Hagos Gebrhiwet triumphed over 100 metres ahead of overall leader Grant Fisher, but the American had enough in the tank to win the race within the race for third and take the men’s Long Distance Slam.

There was no question over the women’s Long Distance, as Ejgayehu Taye was the class of the field for the second successive race, one of three runners who will look to keep their perfect Grand Slam Track record intact at the next round in Miami.

See you in Miami

That 400m masterclass brings an adrenaline-fuelled three days of Grand Slam Track action to a close, and we do hope you have loved it! If so, do not forget to tune into round two from Miami!

Role of honour

Without further ado, here are your inaugural Slam champions! McLaughlin-Levrone, Taye and Jefferson-Wooden are the three with a perfect 24 points:

Men's Short Sprints: Kenny Bednarek

Women's Short Sprints: Melissa Jefferson-Wooden

Men's Long Sprints: Matt Hudson-Smith

Women's Long Sprints: Gabby Thomas

Men's Short Hurdles: Sasha Zhoya

Women's Short Hurdles: Danielle Williams

Men's Long Hurdles: Alison Dos Santos

Women's Long Hurdles: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

Men's Short Distance: Emmanuel Wanyonyi

Women's Short Distance: Diribe Welteji

Men's Long Distance: Grant Fisher

Women's Long Distance: Ejgayehu Taye

'I heard them saying 100k on the line!' - Thomas jubilant after Grand Slam Track triumph

Video credit: TNT Sports

McLaughlin-Levrone reigns supreme

Of course they can't. McLaughlin-Levrone is untouchable and finishes with a time of 50.32 - which would've seen her finish fifth in the women's Long Sprints flat 400m last night!

Results. 1. McLaughlin-Levrone (24 points overall), 2. Knight (13), 3. Muhammed (14), 4. Salmon (8), 5. Peeters (8), 6. Tate (5). DNF - Clayton (6).

Kingston finale still to come

It's the 400m flat in the women's Long Hurdles, can anyone challenge Syndey McLaughlin-Levrone?

Startlist: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA - 12 points overall), Dalilah Muhammad (USA - 8), Rushell Clayton (Jam - 6), Andrenette Knight (Jam - 5), Cathelijn Peeters (Ned - 4), Shiann Salmon (Jam - 3), Cassandra Tate (USA - 2).

Jefferson bursts through to triumph

Wow! It's the last sprint race and what a way to finish, Prandini and Jefferson went back and forth throughout the race and Prandini led off the bend, she just couldn't hold off the irrepressible Slam Champion!

Daryll Neita couldn't sustain her effort and drops to fourth.

Two to go - Women's 200m up next

Dayll Neita's got a good draw in lane 5 don't write her off winning the Short Sprints 200m...

Startlist: Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA - 12 points overall), Jenna Prandini (USA - 8), Jacious Sears (USA - 6), Daryll Neita (GBR - 5), Kemba Nelson (Jam - 4), Alana Reid (Jam - 3), Jodean Williams (Jam - 1). Tamara Clark - DNS (1)

Fisher: I trusted the numbers and my kick

Grant Fisher was the coolest man in Kingston at the end there, and told TNT Sports why afterwards:

"I was doing the math [sic] before the race, I looked up and did the math again and it was slow enough that I was still thinking clearly.

"I trusted the math and I realized don't need to take a big risk and go into the wind and fight these guys, the math checked out and I got the win.

I trusted the kick too, the math would've been worthless if I didn't trust the kick!"

Fisher takes the Slam!

Fisher timed his sprint to perfection to secure those $100,000, bursting past Cooper Teare and Ronald Kwemoi to take third on the track, 13 seconds behind the unstoppable Gebriwhet.

Impossible to call!

Gebriwhet takes the bell over 150m ahead of Fisher's pack with Bekele in no-man's land in between! Now it's all about the race for third which Fisher MUST win.

Ethiopians set the pace

Gebrhiwet and Bekele are in a race of their own at the halfway stage, remember Fisher only needs to finish third to claim the overall prize in this scenario.

Final distance race next

The men's Long Distance is the next category to be decided, it was an American 1-2-3 in the 5k.

Startlist: Grant Fisher (USA - 12 points overall), Cooper Teare (USA - 8), Dylan Jacobs (USA - 6), Hagos Gebrhiwet (Eth - 5), Ronald Kwemoi (Ken - 4), Thierry Ndikumwenyo (Esp - 3), Telahun Haile Bekele (Eth - 2), Charles Philibert-Thiboutot (Can - 1).

Arop wins by a country mile!

BOOM! Arop was nowhere in yesterday's 1500m but maybe that was a deliberate ploy because he exploded the 800 there! Wanyonyi couldn't deal with his umpteenth kick on the final bend with Attaoui in third ahead of the pack of 1500m specialists.

Kerr and Gourley could do nothing in response but the junior Brit at least takes fourth and $25,000 overall.

Result: 1. Arop (15 points overall), 2. Wanyonyi (20), 3. Hoppel (8), 4. Gourley (10), 5. Hocker (10), 6. Nuguse (8), 7. Attaoui (3), 8. Kerr (5).

Arop takes it on

It's looking like Arop v Wanyonyi at 400m!

Can Kerr hit back?

Safe to say Emmanuel Wanyonyi really enjoyed that 1500m victory yesterday! The Olympic 800m champion upset the longer-distance specialists in the men's Short Distance, it's up to Josh Kerr, Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse to restore some pride over 800 next...

Startlist: Emmanuel Wanyonyi (Ken - 12 points overall), Yared Nuguse (USA - 8), Cole Hocker (USA - 6), Neil Gourley (GBR - 5), Josh Kerr (GBR - 4), Marco Arop (Can - 3), Bryce Hoppel (USA - 2), Mohamed Attaoui (Esp - 1).

'They played into his hands!' - Wanyonyi stuns Kerr to win 1500m

Video credit: TNT Sports

Zhoya making plans

The Frenchman with a broad Aussie accent, Sasha Zhoya is quite the character and told TNT Sports he already knows what he'll spend his $100,000 prize money on:

I'm trying to get that apartment in Paris baby, so we're saving up."

Zhoya blazes to victory!

The Frenchman can't believe it! He was the man to beat all race as Beard just faded at the end which dashed his overall chances.

Result: 1. Zhoya (20), 2. Titch (12), 3. Beard (18), 4. Edwards (7), 5. Roberts (9), 6. McLeod (6), 7. Bennett (3), 8. Crittenden (9).

Men's 100m flat (Short Hurdles) next to come

Dylan Beard in lane two has it all to lose...

Startlist: Dylan Beard (USA - 12 points overall), Sasha Zhoya (Fra - 8), Freddie Crittenden (USA - 6), Daniel Roberts (USA - 5), Cordell Tinch (USA - 4), Omar McLeod (Jam - 3), Eric Edwards (USA - 2), Orlando Bennett (Jam - 1).

Taye breaks Negtich on final lap!

It took 14 minutes for Taye to hit the front but it's how you finish, not how you start and the Ethiopian threw the kitchen sink at Ngetich on the final lap. She streaks down the main straight to win by at least 30 metres, with Gebreselama the most distant of third places 30 seconds back.

Result: 1. Taye (24 points overall), 2. Ngetich (16), 3. Gebreselama (12), 4. Infeld (6), 5. Lobun, 6. Cranny (6), 7. Tanaka (4), 8. Morgan (2).

Taye recovers well

It's already a two-horse race at the halfway stage, Ngetich had gaped Taye but the Ethiopian fought back and one of these women will win the race and the category.

Aaaaaand they're off!

So much for taking it easy! Ngetich has already dropped the hammer.

Tone shift coming up

After that lung-busting all-out action, we switch to Women's Long Distance next with the 5000m. This pack ran a lightning-quick 3000m on Friday, so what's left in the tank for this one?

Startlist: Ejgayehu Taye (Eth - 12 points overall), Agnes Ngetich (Ken - 8), Tsige Gebreselama (Eth - 6), Hellen Ekalale (Ken - 5), Whittni Morgan (USA - 4), Elise Cranny (USA - 3), Nozomi Tanaka (Jap - 2), Emily Infeld (USA - 1).

Dos Santos takes rollercoaster victory!

Another race, it's another banger in Kingston! Chris Robinson ran an incredibly quick first 300 meters but was running through treacle on the home straight, while Dos Santos was on the shoulder of Clarke exiting the final bend.

The Brazilian had kept more powder dry though and ran down Clark, Robinson and Caleb Dean at the death to secure the maximum 24 points.

Result: 1. Dos Santos (24 points overall), 2. Robinson (11), 3. Dean (12), 4. Clarke (13), 5. James-King (9), 6. Wilson (5), 7. Allen (6), Ducos - DNS (0).

Men’s 400m (Long Hurdles) up next

We're moving swiftly on though, Alison dos Santos has made it abundantly clear here's chasing the bag but Roshawn Clarke is rapid on the flat and could become our first Jamaican winner of the Kingston meeting. the top three start in lanes six, five and seven.

Startlist: Alison dos Santos (Bra - 12 points overall), Roshawn Clarke (Jam - 8), Caleb Dean (USA - 6), Malik James-King (Jam - 5), CJ Allen (USA - 4), Chris Robinson (USA - 3), Assinie Wilson (Jam - 2). DNS - Clement Ducos (Fra - 0).

What a start!

Hopefully we've started as we mean to go on! That race was all-action, Jones was left in the dust by Williams who led early on, but Ackera Nugent was reeling her in directly to the right through the last 50 metres!

The race is decided by Williams' lunge, and she'll also take the overall win while Cartwright beats Russell in the tie-break for fourth that's worth $5,000.

Result: 1. Williams (20 points overall), 2. Nugent (13), 3. Camacho-Quinn (12), 4. Cartwright (8), 5. Russell (8), 6. Jones (15), 7. Hughes (4).

Ready for action

And just like that, it’s nearly time to get started in Jamaica! The female Short Hurdlers are out on track for the flat 100m, Tia Jones surprised the field in the hurdles but can she back that up today?

Keep your eyes focussed on the right side of the track (from your point of view), as the top five are in the first five lanes - Jones sits in lane two (lane one is empty) with Williams next to her.

Startlist: Tia Jones (USA - 12 points overall), Danielle Williams (Jam - 8), Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (Pur - 6), Ackera Nugent (Jam - 5), Masai Russell (USA - 4), Denisha Cartwright (Bah - 3), Amber Hughes (USA - 2).

Money on their mind

Here are the runners and riders (or not) in pole position to claim overall victory and the attached $100,00 in each category:

Women's Short Hurdles: Tia Jones

Men's Long Hurdles: Alison Dos Santos

Women's Long Distance: Ejgayehu Taye

Men's Short Hurdles: Dylan Beard

Men's Short Distance: Emmanuel Wanyonyi

Men's Long Distance: Grant Fisher

Women's Short Sprints: Melissa Jefferson

Women's Long Hurdles: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

Champions: Kenny Bednarek (Men's Short Sprints), Gabby Thomas (Women’s Long Sprints), Matt Hudson-Smith (Men’s Long Sprints) and Diribe Welteji (Women's Short Distance)

TNT Sports is live!

There’s 12 minutes to go until we get underway with the women’s 100m flat in the Short Hurdles category, and you can catch the build-up live right now from Kingston on TNT Sports 3 and discovery+!

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

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WATCH: Hudson-Smith wins Long Sprints 200m and clinches overall victory

Only one of the British sextet in Jamaica have won a race (so far - Josh Kerr, Neil Gourley and Daryll Neita will attempt to change that later tonight), but it was a pretty significant one for Matt Hudson-Smith…

Hudson-Smith scorches to 200m victory to claim $100,000 Grand Slam Track Long Sprints prize

Video credit: TNT Sports

Mark your cards

With 20 minutes until the first athletes emerge in Independence Park in Kingston, these are the eight races to look forward to over the next couple of hours:

20:42 Women’s 100m Flat (Short Hurdles)

20:54 Men’s 400m Flat (Long Hurdles)

21:04 Women’s 5000m (Long Distance)

21:29 Men’s 100m Flat (Short Hurdles)

00:21 Men’s 800m (Short Distance)

21:49 Men’s 3000m (Long Distance)

22:08 Women’s 200m (Short Sprints)

22:21 Women’s 400m Flat (Long Hurdles)

Hello and welcome!

...To the third and final day of the inaugural Grand Slam Track meeting in Kingston Jamaica, and if it’s anything like the first two then we’re in for a treat over the next couple of hours!

There are eight races coming up with the first getting underway at 20:42 UK time - all will confirm the remaining Slam champions who will claim those $100,000 overall prizes in their category.

Josh Kerr will look to bounce back from his disappointing 1500m showing yesterday while Daryll Neita runs the 200m in the penultimate race of the evening, before Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone takes centre stage for the finale scheduled for 22:21.

TNT Sports 3 and discovery+ will be live from the Caribbean in 15 minutes tune in then to catch the rest of the build-up…

What is the format of Grand Slam Track?

Each Slam consists of six event categories for both males and females, which all include two disciplines that take place over the weekend.

Each category includes eight competitors, with four of those being contracted 'Grand Slam Racers' and will be joined by four Grand Slam Challengers in each race.

The event categories are as follows:

Short Sprints: 100m & 200m
Short Hurdles: 100m(F) / 110m(M) Hurdles & 100m Flat
Long Sprints: 200m & 400m
Long Hurdles: 400m Hurdles & 400m Flat
Short Distance: 800m & 1,500m
Long Distance: 3,000m & 5,000m

All athletes compete in both events of their chosen discipline, meaning that a short distance runner will run in both the 100m and 200m.

Points will be scored across both events that are added together, and are awarded as follows: 12-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 for 1st to 8th place.

These points are used to generate the final standings, and any ties will be settled by whoever has the fastest combined running time.

These points do not carry over to the next Slam, but there will be a 'Racer of the Year' award in each race group for the competitor with the best cumulative score.