Jamaica's Shanque Williams (left) and Guyana's Malachi Austin.
Jamaica’s Shanque Williams will be the lone Caribbean representative in the women’s 400m semi-finals at the World Under-20 Championships, while Guyana’s Malachi Austin headlines four semi-finalists in the men’s event following contrasting performances in the morning session in Lima, Peru, on Wednesday.
It was an overall tough session for Caribbean representatives to start day two of the five-day championships, as only three men and three women progressed to the 400m hurdles semis, while only Jamaica’s Jade-Ann Dawkins progressed to the triple jump final.
Williams was the only athlete to progress to the semi-finals. She placed third in the sixth and final heat in 54.22s.
Prior to that, Cuba’s Camila Rodriguez (55.24s) and T’anna Liburd (55.91s) of St Kitts and Nevis were fifth and seventh in heat one, as both missed out.
Guyana’s Narissa McPherson also found the going tough in heat two, where she placed fifth in 54.67s. The same is true for Jamaica’s Abrina Wright (54.63s), who was sixth in heat three.
Another Guyanese, Tianna Springer (54.49s) and Tyhra Charles (55.87s) of St Vincent and the Grenadines, placed fourth and eighth, respectively, in heat five, as they also missed out.
On the men’s side of action, Puerto Rico’s Jarell Cruz (47.68s) progressed from heat two, where he placed third, while Jaylen Bennett (47.88s) of St Kitts and Nevis and Jamaica’s Jabari Matheson (49.34s) were fourth and fifth and missed out.
Another Jamaican, Kemario Bygrave, booked a spot in the semi-finals as he placed third in heat three in 47.39s.
Grenada’s Joshem Sylvester (48.49s) was sixth in heat four and missed out, along with Trinidad and Tobago’s Kyrell Thomas (48.02s), who placed sixth in heat six.
However, Guyana’s Austin (46.92s) and Trinidad and Tobago’s Jaden Clement (47.63s) both progressed from heat five, where they placed second and third, respectively.
The semi-finals are scheduled for 5:45pm Jamaica time on Wednesday.
Earlier, only three Caribbean athletes progressed to the women’s 400m hurdles semi-finals following contrasting performances in their respective heats.
Michelle Smith of the US Virgin Islands led all qualifiers as she topped heat two in a brisk 57.85s to book her spot in the next round, while Kei-Mahri Hanna (1:04.84) of the Bahamas finished down the track.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Jenna-Marie Thomas (1:01.91) also missed out after she placed seventh in heat three, so too did Jamaica’s Deschanique Douglas (1:05.43), who placed ninth in heat five.
Jamaica’s Kelly-Ann Carr (1:00.61) and Haiti’s Gloria Guerrier (1:00.65) both progressed from heat four after they placed second and third, respectively, behind Australia’s Alesha Bennetts (59.04s).
Interestingly, the Caribbean will also have only three representatives in the men’s semi-finals, led by Jamaica’s Daniel Wright, who topped heat two in 51.42s to advance. Trinidad and Tobago’s Dorian Charles (53.65s) placed fifth in the same heat and missed out.
Cheyne West, another Trinidad and Tobago representative, placed fourth in heat five in a new personal best 52.18s, which was good to advance as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers.
The next non-automatic qualifying spot was secured by Jamaican Trevoy Smith, who clocked 52.15s for fourth in heat six.
Meanwhile, Taysha Stubbs, the Caribbean’s lone representative in the women’s javelin failed to progress. She placed 11th in qualifying Group A with a best mark of 44.28m.
In the women’s triple jump, Jamaica’s Jade-Ann Dawkins will be the lone Caribbean representative in the final, as she placed fourth in qualifying Group B with a mark of 12.82m.
Her compatriot, Jaeda Robinson (12.53m) and Cuba’s Ariday Giron (12.21m), both missed out on the final after finishing 13th and 15th in qualifying Group A.
Sherdon Cowan is a five-time award-winning journalist with 10 years' experience covering sports.
Shannon Gabriel announces retirement from international cricket after 12-year career
West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a 12-year career that saw him become one of the most feared pace bowlers in the Caribbean. Gabriel made the announcement on Instagram on Wednesday, expressing his gratitude for the opportunities and experiences he gained while representing the West Indies on the global stage.
“During the past 12 years I have dedicated myself to playing international cricket for the West Indies,” Gabriel wrote. “Playing this beloved game at the highest level has brought me immense joy, but as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Today, I am announcing my retirement from international cricket.”
In his heartfelt message, Gabriel thanked God for the blessings he and his family received during his time playing for the West Indies. He also extended his appreciation to Cricket West Indies administrators, coaches, and staff members for their hard work and support over the years.
“Words cannot adequately convey the appreciation I have for your hard work and support,” he said. “Last but not least, I am grateful to my teammates and all those who have stood by me and supported me along the way. You have made my journey to the top truly special.”
Although retiring from international cricket, Gabriel plans to continue representing his country, club, and franchise teams around the world with the same passion he has shown throughout his career.
Gabriel, hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, first garnered attention as part of the inaugural batch of players at the West Indies Cricket Board’s high-performance center in 2010. His early performances drew comparisons to a young Ian Bishop, and he quickly became a key figure in Trinidad & Tobago’s first-class attack. He won selection for the Champions League T20 in 2011 and claimed a maiden five-wicket haul against Barbados in the semi-final of the regional four-day competition in April 2012.
Gabriel’s Test debut came later that year during the West Indies’ tour of England. He made an immediate impact at Lord’s, taking four wickets, but a back injury cut his tour short. Despite the setback, Gabriel became a regular in the West Indies side, known for his role as a muscular enforcer. Some of his most memorable performances include a six-wicket haul against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in 2016 and a remarkable 9 for 92 in Bridgetown in 2017, which helped level the series for the West Indies.
Gabriel’s finest hour came in 2018 when he took 13 wickets against Sri Lanka in Gros Islet, though the match ended in a draw. However, his career was also marked by moments of frustration, including an infamous dismissal in Roseau in 2017 when, trying to save the game and the series against Pakistan, he swung wildly at a delivery, handing the match to Pakistan.
Over his 59-Test career, Gabriel took 166 wickets at an average of 32.21 and an economy rate of 3.42. He also played 25 One Day Internationals, claiming 33 wickets. He made his Test debut in May 2012 against England and last represented the West Indies in July 2023 against India.
As Shannon Gabriel steps away from international cricket, his contributions to West Indies cricket will be remembered for his fiery pace, his ability to break partnerships, and his unwavering commitment to the team.
Whitmore returns on winning note as Mt Pleasant edge Arnett Gardens in Group A Concacaf Carib Cup tie; Moca FC clip AC Port of Spain in Group B
It was a successful return to Mount Pleasant FA for head coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore as the St Ann-based club kept their Concacaf Caribbean Cup hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Arnett Gardens FC in a keenly contested encounter at Sabina Park on Tuesday.
Jashaun Anglin (33rd) and Kimoni Bailey (82nd) fired Mount Pleasant to three valuable points as they bounced back from an opening 0-2 defeat to reining Jamaica Premier League (JPL) champions Cavalier and, by extension, the dismissal of then coach Harold Thomas.
Shai Smith’s 54th-minute strike kept things interesting for CFU Club Shield winners Arnett Gardens, who will now have to pick up the pieces and come again.
With the win, Mount Pleasant jumped to second on three points, behind Cavalier, while Arnett Gardens sit bottom without a point.
For Whitmore, the result served as a statement of the quality that Mount Pleasant possesses both on and off the field.
“After coming off a loss, for us these three points mean a lot to the club, it means a lot to the players, and we just have to keep working and keep improving,” Whitmore said in a post-game conference.
“We didn’t want to find any excuses. We asked the boys one thing, and that was to give of their best, give 110 percent, and they went out and left it on the pitch. The aim is always to make a statement, and that’s what we did today (Tuesday),” he added.
After a tentative start, both teams gradually got into their stride, but it was Mount Pleasant that grabbed the ascendancy when Anglin expertly headed home from Daniel Green’s weighted cross.
Mount Pleasant rode the momentum in their probe to extend the lead, which they almost did on two occasions in the latter stages of the first half, but for Asher Hutchinson in goal for Arnett Gardens.
Hutchinson first came up big to deny Jean Ferreira’s close range effort in the 44th, and then Shaqueil Bradford in the 45+2 to ensure his team remained in the contest at the break.
Moca FC in action against AC Port of Spain.
Arnett Gardens showed more attacking fight on the resumption and pulled level nine minutes in when the lanky Smith rose above defenders to head home Kimani Arbouine’s cross.
Now pumped, the ‘Junglists’ pushed for the go-ahead goal, which they would have had in the 58th if Fabian Reid’s effort dipped below the crossbar.
Mount Pleasant also rued their luck for a minute as Nicholas Nelson’s 76th-minute shot at the other end also came off the crossbar.
However, their disappointment turned to celebrations six minutes later when Bailey displayed nippy footwork to dismiss defenders in a dazzling solo effort, which he ended with a tidy finish beyond the hapless Hutchinson to seal Mount Pleasant’s win.
Whitmore’s side will next visit Trinidad and Tobago’s Miscellaneous Police FC in Couva, on September 26, while Xavier Gilbert and his Arnett Gardens team will hope for better fortunes also against Police FC, whom they will visit on September 19.
“It is just unfortunate we are on the losing end, but it is just the first game. We are still in it. It might set us back in terms of points on the board, and we are probably at the bottom of the table. But we are going to give it a shot. We have multiple games,” Gilbert noted.
Meanwhile, in Group B action, Dominican Republic’s Moca FC produced a decent second-half display to edge Trinidad and Tobago’s AC Port of Spain 3-2 at Estadio Moca 85.
John Paul Rochford’s brace (41st and 49th) for AC Port of Spain proved in vain as Alan Aciar (51st), Gustavo Ascona (62nd), and Clifford Thomas (90+1) brought Moca FC from behind to secure all three points.
The win pushed Moca FC to the top of the standings on four points, while AC Port of Spain remained on one point.
Moca will seek to extend their unbeaten run when they host Ouanaminthe FC on September 18, while AC Port of Spain’s next challenge will come against Grenades FC on September 17 in Couva.
Attorneys clash over virtual hearing decision in Julian Morrison doping case
The legal battle surrounding Jamaican squash player Julian Morrison has taken a contentious turn as his attorneys, Matthew Gayle and Dr. Emir Crowne of New City Chambers, are at odds with the Independent Anti-Doping Panel (IADP) over its decision to hold the upcoming hearing virtually. The dispute arose after Morrison’s legal team, who had planned to attend the hearing in person, was informed at the last minute that the proceedings set for September 3 and 4, would be conducted via Zoom.
Morrison, who was provisionally suspended by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) in April after testing positive for trace amounts of the banned anabolic agent Boldenone, has been eagerly awaiting the chance to clear his name. His legal team has argued that Morrison unknowingly ingested the substance and is determined to prove his innocence.
Matthew Gayle expressed his frustration with the IADP’s unilateral decision to conduct the hearing virtually, especially given the substantial expenses incurred by the athlete for his legal team to travel to Jamaica.
“My personal opinion is that the unilateral decision by the Independent Panel to hold this hearing, a substantive hearing by virtual means, made at the 11th hour, and without any consultation with the parties, offends every sense of justice of the matter," Gayle said. "In particular, Dr. Crowne and I indicated that we were in the midst of making travel arrangements some two weeks ago, and this was communicated to the panel."
He continued, “Since then, the athlete has expended significant funds for us to travel to Jamaica in order to represent him in person, only to find out less than a week before we travel that the hearing is to be held by Zoom. This is in the context of there has been very little, if any, movement in bringing this matter to a head since April. It reeks of bureaucratic inefficiency. I just hope that the athlete is able to get a fair hearing. At the end of the day, this athlete has been on provisional suspension for a significant period, and the case is yet to be heard, yet to be proven.”
The situation escalated further when Sportsmax.TV obtained copies of the correspondence between Morrison’s representatives and Christine Minto, chairperson of the IADP. In the emails, Morrison’s legal team expressed their surprise and disappointment at the decision to hold the hearing virtually, especially after making it clear on multiple occasions that they intended to be present in Jamaica for the hearing.
“We are very surprised to learn that the choice of online forum for the hearing is on account of the athlete's representatives living/working out of the country. The experts appearing virtually is also a surprising rationale, since by that account there would rarely be an in-person hearing," the correspondence read.
The attorneys emphasized that their plans to attend in person had been communicated clearly, both verbally and in writing, yet the decision to go virtual was made without their input.
In response, Minto defended the Panel’s decision, stating that the hearing had been conducted virtually from the start and that it should not have been unexpected that it would continue in the same manner. She pointed out that the athlete’s representatives did not specifically request an in-person hearing early enough and suggested that their decision to book accommodations in Jamaica was based on their preference to be in the same room as their client during the virtual hearing.
“This matter has been conducted virtually since the commencement of the hearing process. We have had at least four hearing dates so far, virtually. Therefore, it ought not to have taken anyone by surprise that the hearing will be continuing and concluding virtually," Minto explained.
She added, "A specific application ought to have been made for an in-person hearing by the athlete. Perhaps at the same time, as the application for a public hearing. It was certainly neither clear to us nor unequivocal that the athlete desired an in-person hearing. Further, the importance of the athlete’s evidence is not diminished or undermined if it is taken virtually.”
As the dispute over the hearing format continues, the focus remains on ensuring that Julian Morrison receives a fair trial and that the case, which has been pending for several months, reaches a timely conclusion.
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