Julien Alfred Shatters National Record in Thrilling 300m at Miramar Invitational

MIRAMAR, Florida – Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred opened her outdoor season with a stunning victory over Jamaica’s double world 200m champion Shericka Jackson during the 2025 Miramar Invitational on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

The highly anticipated matchup took place at the Ansin Sports Complex, featuring two of the Caribbean’s premier athletes in a rarely run 300m event. Alfred surged past Jackson in the final meters to win in a national record time of 36.05 seconds, while Jackson finished just 0.08 seconds behind at 36.13. Ivory Coast’s Jessika Gbai secured third place at 36.24 seconds.

This race marked Jackson’s return to competition after she missed the Paris 2024 Olympics due to a prior injury. Jackson started strong, leading the pack through the early stages, but Alfred’s closing speed proved decisive.

“Going forward, I am just going to keep on working hard and trust myself,” Alfred stated after her record-setting performance.

In the men’s 100m, Jamaica’s Rohan Watson edged out former world champion Yohan Blake, clocking a wind-assisted 9.99 seconds. Blake finished second in 10.06 seconds, while the Dominican Republic’s Alex Ogando rounded out the podium with a time of 10.14 seconds.

Despite the thrilling races, the event faced criticisms regarding its broadcast quality and low attendance. Viewers reported an unsatisfactory streaming experience on the American Track League platform, citing poor commentary and distracting background noise that diminished the atmosphere.

Additionally, the sparse crowd raised questions about the event’s appeal, as the stands appeared largely empty throughout the competitions.

Notable athletes in attendance included Olympic 400m gold medalist Steven Gardiner and 2024 Olympic silver medalist Kishane Thompson. Their presence underscored the event’s importance, yet the lack of robust broadcasting and turnout prompted discussion about future improvements.

Jackson’s performance signals her determination to reclaim her status in the sprinting world, while Alfred’s victory solidifies her rising star status ahead of the upcoming season.