Richards secures Jamaica's first medal at 20th World Indoor Champs

The University of Technology's Raymond Richards secured Jamaica's first medal at the 20^th World Indoor Athletics Championships in Nanjing, China, taking bronze in the men's high jump on the opening day of competition.

Richards who became the first Jamaican to medal in the event in 21 years, leapt 2.28 metres, the same height as second placed Hamish Kerr of New Zealand.

South Korea's Sanghyeok Woo won the event with season's best 2.31 metres. Another Jamaican, Romaine Beckford placed 9th with 2.14 metres.

The other highlight for Jamaica on the opening day came from Jordan Scott who placed 4th in the men's triple jump final.

Scott initially placed 5th after leaping 17.10 metres, but moved one place up following the disqualification of Brazilian Almir dos Santos who had finished third. Dos Santos was disqualified for not complying with the competition's shoe rule.   

Former national 100m champion Rohan Watson placed 5th in the men's 60 metre final, clocking 6.59 seconds. The event was won by Great Britain's Jeremiah Azu in 6.49 seconds.

Jamaica's other competitor in the event, Nishion Ebanks failed to advance from his heat after clocking 6.70 for third. 

Lloydricia Cameron ended 13th in the women's shot put final with a throw of 17.43 metres. Leah Anderson did not advance from the preliminaries  of the women's 400 metres after finishing 4th in her heat in 52.86 seconds.