Beckford, Prince strike gold at Commonwealth Games

JAMAICA made a brilliant start to the Commonwealth Games track and field competition in Glasgow, Scotland, yesterday as national champions Romaine Beckford and Demario Prince captured gold medals to put the country second on the track and field medals table.
Jamaica ended the opening day with two gold medals, trailing only England, who led with four medals (one gold, two silver and one bronze).
Beckford secured Jamaica’s first medal after clearing 2.25 metres to win the men’s high jump, becoming the country’s first Commonwealth Games champion in the event. India’s Sarvesh Kushare took silver with 2.25m, while England’s Kimani Jack claimed bronze with 2.20m. Jamaica’s Raymond Richards finished fourth on countback after also clearing 2.20m.
Pre-race favourite Prince delivered Jamaica’s second gold, comfortably winning the 110m hurdles in 13.17 seconds. The victory extended Jamaica’s dominance in the event with a fourth consecutive Commonwealth Games title. England’s Sam Bennett took silver with a personal best 13.30 while Cyprus’ Milan Trajkovic claimed bronze in 13.32. Jamaica’s Jerome Campbell finished sixth.
On the track, Adelle Tracy and national champion Kelly Ann Beckford advanced to tomorrow’s women’s 800m semi-finals. Tracy was fourth in her heat in 2:02.58, while Beckford placed third in 2:01.63.
In other field events, Tajay Gayle, Jordan Turner and Nyoka Clunis all booked places in their respective finals. Gayle topped the men’s long jump qualifiers with 8.10m, Turner advanced with 7.82m, while Clunis qualified eighth for the women’s hammer throw final with 64.83m.
Jamaica will have another busy schedule today. Leah Anderson and Shauna Kay Anderson will contest the opening round of the women’s 400m, while Navasky Anderson lines up in the men’s 800m semi-finals.
Delano Kennedy, Antonio Watson and Zandrian Barnes will compete in the first round of the men’s 400m. 
  In the field, Lamara Distin will contest the women’s high jump final, while Clunis returns for the women’s hammer throw final.
  Attention will also turn to the sprint events as Rohan Watson and Ackeem Blake compete in the men’s 100m semi-finals while Jodean Williams and Jonielle Smith will line up in the women’s semi-finals. The finals of both events are scheduled for later in the evening.