Ashanti Moore targets quicker sprint times at JAAA National Championships

Ashanti Moore is heading into this week’s JAAA National Junior and Senior Athletics Championships encouraged by the strength of Jamaica’s women’s sprinting. With 11 Jamaican women already dipping below 11 seconds in the 100 metres this season, the national sprinter says the competition should help produce quick times.

Moore, 25, is coming off the strongest campaign of her career. In 2025, she lowered her personal bests to 10.94 seconds in the 100 metres and 22.31 seconds in the 200 metres. She also reached the semi-finals of the 200 metres at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

Asked what drove that improvement, Moore pointed to her approach more than anything else. “It was just my mindset. It was just my mindset. And I know what I can do, no doubt. And again, I just kept that closer,” she said.

Moore said her main aim this season is to secure a place on Jamaica’s Commonwealth team while continuing to prove herself at the top level. When asked what that would mean in practical terms, she said it was about “getting some faster times.”

One target stands out for her over the rest of the season. Moore said she would be especially pleased if she can run 21.9 seconds in the 200 metres.

She also named Elaine as the athlete who has influenced her on the track, saying she sees parts of herself in the sprint star. Moore said she sometimes watches Elaine’s 200-metre races before she competes.