Great way to celebrate!

BARRANQUILLA, Colombia:

Like many other Jamaicans, Tiffany James wanted to celebrate Emancipation Day 2018 in a different way yesterday.

"When I woke up this morning, I posted a picture saying 'Happy Emancipation Day' and then I thought to myself that winning my first senior gold medal on Emancipation Day would be a great way to celebrate," James told STAR Sports, after winning the women's 400m final at the Central American and Caribbean Games.

She stopped the clock at 52.35 seconds. Dominican Republic's Fiordaliza Cofil finished second in 52.72, while James' teammate, Derriann Hill, came in third with 53.30.

The former Papine High School athlete took control of the race from the first 100 metres and maintained her lead throughout.

"I didn't come out with a time in mind, I just wanted to win. I was very nervous because even though I was coming into the final with the fastest time, I have learnt never to underestimate the field, but I managed to keep my focus and get the win," James explained.

Hill was also elated to have won her first medal for Jamaica. "I came just to do my best and my best has placed me among the medals, so I am happy," Hill said.

In the men's equivalent, national record holder Rusheen McDonald finished just outside of the medals with his season's best of 45.7. His teammate, Steven Gayle, finished eighth with 46.96.

Jamaica's medal count in athletics has now increased to 14 as Shasha Lee Forbes and Jodean Williams finished first and third, respectively, in the women's 200m.

Forbes stopped the clock at 22.80 seconds, while Williams registered 22.96 seconds. Simoy Hackett of Trinidad and Tobago won the silver medal with a time of 22.95.