Jamaica’s sprinting future gleamed a little brighter over the weekend as Kishane Thompson blazed to a remarkable 9.88 seconds in the men’s 100 meters at the JAAA All Comers Meet in Kingston. The performance not only marked a personal best for the rising star but also served as a powerful statement ahead of the Jamaican National Championships and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Thompson’s 9.88 was run under legal wind conditions (+1.0 m/s), solidifying it as a legitimate world-class time. It catapulted him into the global spotlight and placed him among the top sprinters for the 2025 season so far. The performance is now one of the fastest ever recorded on Jamaican soil and puts him squarely in the conversation for international medals.
A former student-athlete at Kingston College, Thompson has been steadily rising through the ranks of Jamaican sprinting. Known for his smooth stride and explosive finish, he has long been considered one of the island’s most promising talents. Still, injuries and the depth of Jamaican sprinting have kept him somewhat in the shadows—until now.
What made Thompson’s run in Kingston even more impressive was how controlled it appeared. He executed a near-perfect start, stayed composed through the acceleration phase, and maintained excellent form through the finish. The crowd at the National Stadium responded with thunderous applause, recognizing the significance of the moment. Jamaica has seen many great sprinters, but when someone dips below the 9.90 barrier, it always demands attention.
Kishane’s performance could not come at a better time. With the Olympic Games looming and the national trials approaching, athletes are beginning to round into peak form. The Jamaican men’s sprint scene has been searching for a new face to lead the charge following the retirement of legends like Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake’s decline from his peak. In recent years, the spotlight has shifted more toward the women’s side, with names like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, and Shericka Jackson dominating headlines. Thompson’s 9.88 could signal a resurgence on the men’s side.
Beyond the impressive time, Thompson’s run also demonstrates that Jamaica’s sprint factory continues to churn out elite talent. Under the guidance of coach Glen Mills—who famously coached Usain Bolt—Thompson has been carefully developed, and it now appears that plan is coming to fruition. Mills is known for not rushing athletes, and Thompson’s emergence now could be the result of years of patient training and injury management.
Thompson will now be under increased scrutiny as the championship season intensifies. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if he can replicate or improve upon this performance under pressure. Consistency will be key, as one fast time is impressive, but sustaining that level across multiple rounds and events is what separates medalists from hopefuls.
Still, on a balmy evening in Kingston, Kishane Thompson made his mark. A 9.88-second sprint not only won him a race—it may have signaled the arrival of Jamaica’s next big star. And in a country where sprinting is part of the national identity, that is no small feat