2023 Jamaica National Championships Results

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Carrying the momentum from multiple All-American honors he achieved this past spring to his home country this summer, Academy of Art track & field's Robin Black challenged some of the world's best and delivered a new program record in the 400m hurdles during the Jamaica Junior & Senior National Championships inside Jamaica National Stadium. 

Black began the meet with a 50.24 in the event prelims on July 6 which was just a fraction of a second from the time he posted in the event final at Outdoor Nationals. He crossed the finish line behind only two others in his heat and was fifth overall heading into the final on July 7. Black proceeded to lead for a significant portion of the championship race, ultimately claimed fourth overall, and ended with his second ART U record of 2023 at 49.02 to better his previous best from Outdoor Nationals.

"I'm extremely happy for Robin," said Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Kevin LaSure. "To have over a one-second personal best in the 400m hurdles at the Jamaican National Championships and finish in the top four is a testament to the work Robin has put in all season. I'm excited to see what the future holds for this young man."

Competing alongside Black were new Jamaican National Champion Roshawn Clarke, whose 47.85 mark equaled the world junior record and made him the second-fastest Jamaican male in the event to date, Jaheel Hyde (48.45), a former World Junior National Champion in the event, and another professional athlete in Assinie Wilson (48.50). Black would better multiple Olympians in Roxroy Cato (49.65) and Shawn Rowe (49.82) as well as St. Augustine's Sean Kalawan (53.44) whom Black bested in the event finals at Outdoor Nationals as well.

Black was also one of 31 competitors in the 100m dash prelims, finishing 20th overall with a new wind-legal personal best of 10.28. Improving on his previous mark by 0.01 seconds, he ended up just 0.06 seconds from qualifying for the subsequent round of action.

The 2023 PacWest Track Athlete of the Year, Black became a three-time All-American at Outdoor Nationals where he broke the ART U 400mH record by going 50.10 in the event prelims before placing third overall in the final on May 27. Black was the PacWest Champion in the 400mH on his way to being named 2023 PacWest Most Outstanding Track Athlete of the Meet.

The Jamaica National Championships are serving as the country's national trials for athletes who may have the opportunity to represent Jamaica at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Aug. 19-27.