Jamaica cops women's sprint relay gold at Doha World Champs

Jamaica secured gold in the women's sprint relays, while Shanieka Ricketts captured silver in the triple jump as the nation increased its medal tally to 3 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze on Satturday’s 9^th day of competition at the 17^th IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha. 

The United States entered the women's sprint relays as the world leaders. However, Jamaican quartet of Natalliah Whyte, 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jonielle Smith and 400m bronze medallist Shericka Jackson delivered Jamaica's 5th women's World Champs sprint relay gold medal in a new world leading time of 41.44 seconds. 

It was 4th quickest time in history by a female team as the Jamaicans added their 15th medal in the history of the World Championships.

Shanieka Ricketts went to within one centimetre of the career best with 14.92m to take silver in the triple jump final. She became only the second Jamaican with a global medal in the event, after Trecia Smith's gold in 2005. Kimberly Williams ended 4th with a lifetine best equalling 14.64m.

The quartet of Roneisha McGregor, Anastasia Le-Roy, Tiffany James and Stephenie-Ann McPherson logged a season best 3 minutes, 23.64 to win heat 1 and move into Sunday’s final as the 2nd fastest qualifier to the United States 3.22.96 seconds.

Chance Porter, who cut the sand at 6.57 metres on her 3rd and final attempt, moved into the long jump as the 10th qualifier. She is the first Jamaican woman into a World Championships long jump finalist since Elva Gouleburne in Osaka 2007. Tissanna Hickling who leapt 6.50m ended 16 overall.

Meanwhile, Jamaica could add a maximum of 6 more medals to its tally on Sunday’s 10th and final day of the championships. World leader and 2015 champion Danielle Williams goes in the semis of the women's 100 metre hurdles starting at 11:02 am. 

Williams will go in semi-final 1, while compatriots Megan Tapper and Yanique Thompson will line up in semi-final 2 at 11:10 am. Jamaica's 4th competitor in the event, Janeek Brown will go in semi-final 3 at 11:18 am.

Chanice Porter will line up in the women's long jump final starting at 11:15 am. Jamaica's women will line-up in the final of the women's 4X400 metres at 1:15 pm in lane 4 while the men's quartet go in the final event of the championships at 1:30 pm, running from lane 5. TVJ, TVJ SN, onespotmedia.COM and Hitz 92 FM will have live and exclusive coverage starting at 10:30 am.