What we learn about Grand Slam Monitor Challengers to date

With the primary Slam in Jamaica getting nearer (April 4-6) here’s what we all know to date about who’s difficult the Racers

As the thrill builds for the primary Grand Slam Monitor meet in Kingston, Jamaica, with 48 Racers set to compete, the Challengers for the occasion are starting to get introduced.

These athletes, who will problem the Racers, are a necessary a part of the brand new monitor league, every filling one of many 4 spots within the race groupings in opposition to the Racers.

To recap, every Slam’s race group consists of 4 Racers who’re signed to the league’s 4 Slams in Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Challengers are paid an look payment and might compete for full prize cash. Their spots are chosen primarily based on latest performances, rivalries and the potential for thrilling matchups.

The primary six Challengers introduced for Kingston are all Jamaican stars, and they’re positive to obtain an enthusiastic reception from the Independence Park crowd.

Hansle Parchment (left) wins gold (Getty)

Main the cost within the males’s Brief Hurdles (100m/110m hurdles) is Hansle Parchment, the Olympic gold medallist from Tokyo who triumphed over Grant Holloway and Ronald Levy in 2021.

With a private better of 12.93 within the 110m hurdles, he’ll face off in opposition to Racers Devon Allen, Daniel Roberts, Freddie Crittenden and Sasha Zhoya.

Becoming a member of Parchment within the Brief Hurdles group is Orlando Bennett, a Paris Olympic finalist with a private better of 13.09 within the 110m hurdles and 10.54 within the 100m.

Within the ladies’s Brief Hurdles, Danielle Williams, the reigning world champion within the 100m hurdles from Budapest, will take her place as a Challenger.

With a private better of 12.32 within the hurdles and 11.24 within the 100m, Williams will compete in opposition to Ackera Nugent, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Masai Russell and Cyréna Samba-Mayela.

Danielle Williams (Getty)

The ladies’s Lengthy Hurdles (400m/400m hurdles) will characteristic Shiann Salmon, an Olympic finalist for Jamaica. Salmon, who has bests of 52.97 within the 400m and 51.22 within the 400m hurdles, will problem Racers Rushell Clayton, Shamier Little, Jasmine Jones and the Olympic champion and world file holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

Within the males’s Lengthy Hurdles, Malik James-King will really feel at residence as he competes as a Challenger on the stadium the place he claimed the nationwide title. He boasts private bests of 47.42 within the 400m hurdles and 45.22 within the 400m flat.

He’ll race in opposition to fellow Jamaican Roshawn Clarke, in addition to Clement Ducos and Alison dos Santos.

Alana Reid [centre] (Oscar Munoz Badilla)

The Grand Slam Monitor league will even showcase rising stars like Alana Reid, the 20-year-old world under-20 champion within the 100m and 4x100m relay. Reid had a breakthrough season in 2024, posting private bests of 10.92 within the 100m and 22.95 within the 200m.

She additionally made her Olympic debut in Paris as a part of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay staff, which completed fifth. Reid will compete within the Brief Sprints (100m/200m) in opposition to Racers Melissa Jefferson, Daryll Neita, Gabby Thomas and Brittany Brown.

Including to the thrill, 400m athlete Vernon Norwood struck a cope with Grand Slam Monitor on X. They agreed he would signal as a Challenger if he acquired 400 retweets on his publish, a purpose he efficiently met.

400, that honest? 🤝 https://t.co/dNTDiOISED

— Grand Slam Monitor (@GrandSlamTrack) February 18, 2025

Norwood will race within the Lengthy Sprints (200m/400m) on the Kingston Slam, bringing his private bests of 20.30 within the 200m and 44.10 within the 400m. He’s now the seventh Challenger confirmed for the occasion.

Extra bulletins of Challengers are anticipated within the lead-up to the Kingston Slam.