With the first Slam in Jamaica getting closer (April 4-6) here is what we know so far about who is challenging the Racers
As the excitement builds for the first Grand Slam Track meet in Kingston, Jamaica, with 48 Racers set to compete, the Challengers for the event are beginning to get announced.
These athletes, who will challenge the Racers, are an essential part of the new track league, each filling one of the four spots in the race groupings against the Racers.
To recap, each Slam’s race group consists of four Racers who are signed to the league’s four Slams in Kingston, Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Challengers are paid an appearance fee and can compete for full prize money. Their spots are chosen based on recent performances, rivalries and the potential for exciting matchups.
The first six Challengers announced for Kingston are all Jamaican stars, and they are sure to receive an enthusiastic reception from the Independence Park crowd.
Hansle Parchment (left) wins gold (Getty)
Leading the charge in the men’s Short 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 personal best of 12.93 in the 110m hurdles, he will face off against Racers Devon Allen, Daniel Roberts, Freddie Crittenden and Sasha Zhoya.
Joining Parchment in the Short Hurdles group is Orlando Bennett, a Paris Olympic finalist with a personal best of 13.09 in the 110m hurdles and 10.54 in the 100m.
In the women’s Short Hurdles, Danielle Williams, the reigning world champion in the 100m hurdles from Budapest, will take her place as a Challenger.
With a personal best of 12.32 in the hurdles and 11.24 in the 100m, Williams will compete against Ackera Nugent, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Masai Russell and Cyréna Samba-Mayela.
Danielle Williams (Getty)
The women’s Long Hurdles (400m/400m hurdles) will feature Shiann Salmon, an Olympic finalist for Jamaica. Salmon, who has bests of 52.97 in the 400m and 51.22 in the 400m hurdles, will challenge Racers Rushell Clayton, Shamier Little, Jasmine Jones and the Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
In the men’s Long Hurdles, Malik James-King will feel at home as he competes as a Challenger at the stadium where he claimed the national title. He boasts personal bests of 47.42 in the 400m hurdles and 45.22 in the 400m flat.
He will race against fellow Jamaican Roshawn Clarke, as well as Clement Ducos and Alison dos Santos.
Alana Reid [centre] (Oscar Munoz Badilla)
The Grand Slam Track league will also showcase rising stars like Alana Reid, the 20-year-old world under-20 champion in the 100m and 4x100m relay. Reid had a breakthrough season in 2024, posting personal bests of 10.92 in the 100m and 22.95 in the 200m.
She also made her Olympic debut in Paris as part of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team, which finished fifth. Reid will compete in the Short Sprints (100m/200m) against Racers Melissa Jefferson, Daryll Neita, Gabby Thomas and Brittany Brown.
Adding to the excitement, 400m athlete Vernon Norwood struck a deal with Grand Slam Track on X. They agreed he would sign as a Challenger if he received 400 retweets on his post, a goal he successfully met.
— Grand Slam Track (@GrandSlamTrack) February 18, 2025
Norwood will race in the Long Sprints (200m/400m) at the Kingston Slam, bringing his personal bests of 20.30 in the 200m and 44.10 in the 400m. He is now the seventh Challenger confirmed for the event.
More announcements of Challengers are expected in the lead-up to the Kingston Slam.
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