Michael O’Hara ran a world youth-leading 20.63 to win the boys 200m and Jamaica clocked a world youth best of 1 minute, 49.23 seconds to win the medley relay and close out the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine.
The Caribbean island ended the Games atop the medal table with 6 gold and 2 bronze medals, followed by Kenya (4-3-4), Ethiopia (3-3-2), Australia (3-0-1) and the USA (2-7-8).
Three other Caribbean Islands won medals at the Championships: Cuba (1-1-2), Barbados (0-1-0) and the British Virgin Islands (0-1-0). Today, the British Virgin Islands ran 2:07.40 personal best for silver in the girls medley relay, Cuba’s Reynier Mena posted 20.79 for the silver in the boys 200m.
O’Hara, who was upset with himself after finishing fourth in the 100m final on Thursday, blamed his failure on his consistently poor start and even considered dropping the event. He, however, bounced back from the disappointment to run 21.17secs and win in the 200m semi-final yesterday to qualify for the final.
The Jamaican gold medals were won by Yanique Thompson, 100m Hurdle; Martin Manley, 400m; Jaheel Hyde, 110m Hurdles; Marvin Williams, 400m hurdles; Michael O’Hara, 200m; Medley Relay (Boys). Tiffany James, and Christoff Bryan won bronze in the girls 400m and the boys high jump, respectively.