Romaine Beckford claims gold in Commonwealth Games high jump

GLASGOW, Scotland – Arkansas alum Romaine Beckford became the first Jamaican to claim a Commonwealth Games gold medal in the men’s high jump since 1958 when he secured the victory with a clearance of 7 feet, 4.5 inches (2.25) at Scotstoun Stadium on Monday.

India’s Sarvesh Kushare also cleared 7-4.5 in placing second while England’s Kimani Jack, the 2026 NCAA Outdoor champion with Georgia, finished third with a 7-2.5 (2.20) clearance.

Beckford cleared the decisive height on his first attempt while Kushare needed three attempts to clear. Beckford and Kushare then each had three misses at 7-5.75 (2.28).

Ernle Haisley claimed high jump gold for Jamaica in 1958 while Jamaica-born Canadian Milton Ottey won consecutive Commonwealth Games high jump titles in 1982 and 1986.

The series for Beckford included first attempt makes at 6-8.75 (2.05), 6-10.75 (2.10), and 7-0.5 (2.15). He needed a second try at 7-2.5 and made 7-4.5 on his first attempt.

Shafiqua Maloney won her 800m prelim section to advance to the semifinal. Maloney clocked 2:02.83 to finish ahead of Rachel Klopfenstein (2:03.04) and Erin Wallace (2:03.15).

Clipped a couple of times during the race, Maloney managed to stay upright while Kenya’s Vivian Kiprotich fell with 100m left in the race. Two runners were disqualified.

Jerome Campbell reached the final of the 110m hurdles, which was won by fellow Jamaican Demario Prince in 13.17 (0.4 wind) over England’s Samuel Bennett (13.20).

Campbell finished sixth in the final with a 13.86 as he clipped a pair of hurdles early in the race. In the prelim held during the morning session, Campbell posted a wind-aided 13.33 (+2.3) in placing second to Bennett’s 13.20w.