Best v Best. The rivalries to watch at the world’s first Slam – DAY TWO
Get the inside track on the biggest head-to-head clashes to come to Kingston.
Grand Slam Track is built on rivalries. The gladiatorial combat-style racing at its heart is what sets it apart from the (traditional) pack. Through it, the new league aims to create a storytelling platform for some of the most exciting athletes in the world. Rekortan, the rival track, is back in town to provide the canvas for these stories.
As we head into day two of the Jamaican Slam, Racers and Challengers from four event groups are still to make their way to the start line. We have taken a deep dive into the head-to-head history of every single one of them to bring you the rivalries to watch across the remaining events in Kingston.
How will historical rivalries play out on the second day in the future of track?
Short Hurdles, Men – A home Challenger v the Racers
Home Challenger, Omar McLeod, is the only athlete in the field to hold an Olympic Gold and has the fastest PR of all competitors over 100m hurdles (12s90). But he didn't qualify for the last two Olympics and is ranked only 19th in the World. Can he turn the tide and challenge the Racers?
He’ll go up against Americans Daniel Roberts (current Olympic Silver Medalist and #2 in the World) and Freddie Crittenden (#5 in the World), French rising star Sasha Zhoya (#4 in the world).
Anything is possible when these athletes go up against each other.
Short Hurdles, Women - Olympic Medalists v Jamaican Challengers
This event sports an absolute stellar field. Featuring the top four ranked women in the 100m hurdles (as of March 31) it will be a re-clash for the Paris Olympic Medalists Masai Russel (USA), Cyréna Samba-Mayela (FRA) and Jasmine Camacho Quinn (PUR). But the Racers will be hotly contested by the formidable duo of Jamaicans, Danielle Williams (defending World Champion) and Ackera Nugent, fresh from a bronze medal at the World Indoors in Nanjing and with an impressive PR of 12.24 (tied in top place with Masai Russell.) USA’s Nia Ali, the 2019 World Champion and Tokyo Olympic Silver medalist will also up the pressure.
Tokyo 2020 100m hurdles Champion, Jasmine Camacho Quinn, has finished ahead of her rivals in an impressive 78 out of 88 races (89%). But history could be re-written with the new Grand Slam Track format which includes these athletes’ performance over 100m too.
“Track fans always get excited when they see Josh Kerr (GBR), Yared Nuguse (USA) and Cole Hocker (USA) lined up to a race and it just got even more exciting as they are challenged by three of the fastest 800m runners ever.”
Short Sprints, Women – JAM v USA
The good old Jamaican x USA rivalry is the great story here.
American Racer Melissa Jefferson is an Olympic and WCH medalist, as is American Challenger Jenna Prandini, but they won't have an easy task proving to be the fastest in Kingston. Challenger Tamara Clark (USA) was part of the 4x100m gold relay team in the last World Championship. Jacious Sears is back after injury and holds the fastest 100m PR of all competitors (10.77).
Jamaica brings two next gen athletes to put the Americans under pressure: Kemba Nelson (4x100m a silver medalist at WCH) and Alana Reid the Jamaican Under 20 Record holder over 100m, as well as experienced Jodean Williams.
From a World Ranking perspective, it is British Daryll Neita that has the edge, as she’s ranked top 5 in both the 100m (#4) and 200m (#3).
These could be anyone's races.
Short Distance, Men – The clash between Nuguse-Hocker-Kerr gains another ingredient
Track fans always get excited when they see Josh Kerr (GBR), Yared Nuguse (USA) and Cole Hocker (USA) lined up to a race and it just got even more exciting as they are challenged by three of the fastest 800m runners ever.
Current Olympic Champion and second fastest man of all time over 800m Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN), Olympic silver medalist Marco Arop (CAN) and the 2024 World Indoor Champion and American record holder Bryce Hoppel (USA) all look close to World Record shape.
These are races for the ages and anyone can win. But who has a greater competition record? Emmanuel Wanyonyi finished ahead of his competitors in 76% of his races - but he has never raced against Kerr, Hocker, Nuguse or the hot GB Challenger, Neil Gourley. Kerr finished ahead of Hocker (67%) and Nuguse (57%). His overall record over his competitors is 31 of 44 races (70%).
Nuguse loses the head-to-head against Kerr but is slightly better overall (26 finishes ahead of his competitors in 36 races, or 72%). Hocker has a relatively low record against his competitors (only finishing ahead in 35% of them) but beat his main rivals at the Olympic finals. And we have never seen these athletes race each other over 800m. This is where the Grand Slam Track format could really disrupt the status quo.
These races will be spectacular.