Jamaica’s men chasing back-to-back 4x100m titles at World Under-20

AFTER a 24-year drought, Jamaica captured their second men’s World Under-20 4x100 metres title two years ago in Lima, Peru, when the quartet of Jace Witter, Gary Card, Nyrone Wade and Deandre Daley clocked 39.18 seconds.
 The victory followed the country’s first triumph in Santiago, Chile in 2000 when Michael Frater, Omar Brown, Winston Smith and Marvin Anderson combined to win in 39.10.
Jamaica will be hoping to defend their title at next week’s  championships in Eugene, Oregon and become the second most successful nation in the event with three titles, behind the United States who have won eight.
When Jamaica struck gold in Lima, it took a brilliant anchor leg from Daley to seal the victory. After receiving the baton in third place, he produced a determined finish to edge Great Britain on the line.
Jamaica will welcome back Card and Wade and, with their experience from the title-winning team, they will be highly motivated. They will be joined by Dontae Watson, Nathaniel Stewart and Justin Stewart, the son of former Jamaican sprint stars Raymond Stewart and Beverly McDonald, both of whom enjoyed success on Jamaica’s senior relay teams.
With the world’s fastest junior this season, Card, on the team after clocking an impressive 9.93 seconds over the 100 metres, Jamaica will have added confidence. However, defending their title will be no easy task.
As usual, the United States will start as favourites, led by the outstanding Tate Taylor, who has a season’s best of 10.04 in the 100m and has also clocked 19.75 seconds over  200m. However, Jamaica will not be intimidated and will be aiming to go all the way to secure back-to-back titles.