A thrilling showdown is expected in the final of the Men’s 400m event on Friday’s second of the four-day Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA)/Puma National Senior Championships at the National Stadium.

The final, which is scheduled to begin at 8:50 pm, is to feature the nation’s top eight quarter-milers vying for three coveted spots on Jamaica’s team for next month’s Paris Olympic Games.

Sean Bailey and Jevaughn Powell are strong contenders after their impressive performances in Thursday’s semi-finals. Bailey, the defending champion, clinched victory in his semi-final with a time of 44.95 seconds, leading all qualifiers into the final. Powell, finishing closely behind Bailey, holds the second-fastest time of 45.00 entering the decisive race. Other notable finalists include Demish Gaye (45.18), Deandre Watkin (45.19), Zandrion Barnes (45.34), and Rusheen McDonald (45.60).

Meanwhile, World Champion Antonio Watson faced disappointment in the Men’s 400m semi-finals on the opening day, after pulling up at the 200m mark with an injury. He failed to finish the race.

In other events, three-time NCAA long jump champion Ackelia Smith secured victory in the women’s long jump final with a leap of 6.53m. Chanice Porter claimed second place with 6.49m, while Tissanna Hickling took third. None of these athletes met the Olympic standard of 6.86m, but Smith, currently ranked 12th globally with a season’s best jump of 6.85m, is likely to secure a spot on Jamaica’s Olympic team based on international rankings.

Malik James-King continued his impressive season by winning his semi-final in the Men’s 400m hurdles with a time of 48.68, leading the qualifiers into Friday’s final.

James-King, the second-fastest Jamaican this year with a personal best of 48.39, displayed a commanding performance ahead of the final.

Roshawn Clarke, with a time of 49.06, enters the final as the second-quickest this year after comfortably winning his semi-final. Veteran Roxroy Cato (49.48), Assinie Wislon (49.88), Jaheel Hyde (50.02), and Antonio Forbes (50.39) are among the other prominent qualifiers for the final.

In the women’s 400m hurdles, Janieve Russell dominated her semi-final, clocking a season’s best of 54.00s to lead all qualifiers into Friday’s final. Russell, the defending national champion, showcased smooth form down the stretch to secure victory.

Andrenette Knight, a World Championships finalist, secured the second-fastest time of 54.09 in her semi-final and is set for the final alongside Russell.

Rushell Clayton, the fastest Jamaican this year, won her semi-final in 54.54 and holds a season’s best of 53.72, placing her fifth globally this year. Ronda Whyte (55.77), Shiann Salmon (56.49), Gabrielle Matthews (56.95), and Lashanna Graham (57.20) complete the line-up for the final.