Competing in his debut international championship, jumper Raymond Richards delivered a standout performance to secure a spot on the podium as he clinched bronze in the men’s high jump at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships at the Nanjing Cube in Nanjing, China recently.
On his first attempt at each, Richards cleared the first three heights of 2.14m, 2.20m, and 2.24m.
He then cleared 2.28m on his second attempt. Richards was among four athletes to successfully clear 2.28m, but eventually secured third place based on count back.
South Korea’s Sanghyeok Woo claimed the gold medal, when he cleared 2.31m, matching his season’s best.
New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr claimed the silver medal, while American Elijah Kosiba finished fourth and Ukraine’s Oleh Doroshchuk finished fifth.
Jamaica’s Romaine Beckford in action during the Men’s High Jump Final. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Jamaica’s other competitor in the event, Olympic finalist Romaine Beckford, finished ninth after clearing the opening height of 2.14m. Jamaica’s Rohan Watson and Barbados Julian Forde could only manage fifth and seventh place finish respectively, in the men’s 60m final.
Watson, who entered the final with the fourth-fastest qualifying time from the heats, clocked 6.59 seconds. He finished just behind China’s Zhenye Xie and South Africa’s Akani Simbine. Simbine claimed his first individual global medal with a bronze in 6.54 seconds.
The Barbadian Forde, crossed the finish line in 6.64 seconds, marking a significant milestone in his career.
The race was dominated by Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu, the reigning European champion, in 6.49 seconds, matching his personal best. Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy, secured silver with a time of 6.50 seconds.
