Grand Bahama, Bahamas— O’Dayne Richards won the bronze medal in the men’s shot put on Friday’s opening day of the fourth North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Open Championships at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex in Freeport.

Richards, who was a finalist at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham two weeks ago, had a best throw of 20.05m with Americans Roger Steen- 20.78m and Adrian Piperi-20.76m taking the gold and silver medals.

Samantha Hall was fifth in the women’s discus throw with a best of 57.70m while Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Kimberly Williamson finished sixth in the women’s high jump with a best clearance of 1.75m. American Vashti Cunningham won with 1.92m, her compatriot Rachel Glenn was second with 1.84m and Mexican Guzman Ximena Lezbeth Esquivel was third with 1.81m.

National champion Andrew Hudson won his first race in Jamaican colours as he led the qualifiers in the men’s 200m, running 20.25 seconds (-0.1m/s) to win his heat.

Hudson transferred his allegiance from the USA where he was born to Jamaica where his father was born, in July, but not in time for the World Athletics Championships or the Commonwealth Games.

Jazeel Murphy, who was third in his heat, also advanced with 20.80 seconds (-0.2m/s).

Natalliah Whyte and Ashley Williams are in the finals of the women’s 200m.

Whyte won her semi-final in 22.78 seconds (-0.3m/s) while Williams was fourth in her heat in 23.67 seconds (-0.6m/s) and advanced on time.

Former World Champion Tajay Gayle led the qualifying for Sunday’s final after a mark of 7.83m (-0.8m/s) on his only attempt and his teammate Shawn-D Thompson was next with 7.76m (-1.0m/s).

Megan Tapper led the qualifiers for Saturday’s final of the 100m hurdles after winning her semi-final race in 12.62 seconds (-0.1m/s), beating American Alaysha Johnson who had the second fastest time- 12.68 seconds.

Meanwhile, in the men’s 400m hurdles, Shawn Rowe is also through to Sunday’s final, third in his heat in 50.27 seconds.

-Paul A Reid