Shannon Kalawan and Nigel Ellis rose to the medal rostrum as Jamaica doubled its tally on Friday’s fourth day of the IAAF World Under-20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
On personal best, Kalawan was the second fastest in the women's 400 metre hurdles field, but based on the performances in qualifying, it wasn't a forgone conclusion that she would medal, but from lane eight, the 18 year old produced a courageous run to land silver in 56.54 seconds, her third fastest ever performance.
Kalawan's medal is the 11th by a Jamaican woman in the history of the world Under-20 Championships.
The much talked-about Nigel Ellis also started from lane eight in the men's 200 metres final and snatched bronze in 20.63 seconds, only Jamaica's 4th men's 200 medal in the event's history.
American Michael Norman took gold in a championship record 20.17 seconds.
Jessica Noble was 12th in the women's long jump final with a best of 5.82 metres. Yanis David of France took gold with 6.42 metres.
Jamaica is now seventh on the medal table with 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze. USA lead with 13 medals, 6 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze.
Meanwhile, misfortune struck the Jamaican camp earlier on Friday as the women's sprint relay team was disqualified after winning the first heat of the semi-final round.
The Jamaican girls had raced to 44.63 seconds to easily win the heat but lost their place in the final due to a lane violation.
There was no such disaster though for their male counterparts as the team of Fabian Hewitt, Raheem Chambers, Jevaughn Mattherson and Hujaye Cornwall advanced automatically.
The team actually crossed the line third in 39.80 but were promoted to second after winners Brazil were disqualified for exchanging the baton outside of the zone.
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