Wolmer’s Boys’ Gary Card proved his resilience as he battled through discomfort to claim victory in the Class One 100m final in 10.28 seconds at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on Wednesday night.

Card, who earlier set the track ablaze with a blistering personal best of 10.06 seconds in the semi-finals, was the heavy favourite heading into the final. However, a slight niggle appeared to trouble him in the latter stages of the race, which forced him to dig deep to fend off St George’s College’s Tyreece Foreman (10.49s) and Excelsior’s Malik Nugent (10.35s), who finished second and third, respectively.

Despite not replicating his semi-final fireworks, Card’s triumph added crucial points to Wolmer’s Boys’ tally, as they are up with the early leaders.

After eight finals, defending champions Kingston College (KC) have surged to the top of the standings with 47 points, holding a strong lead over Jamaica College (29 points) and Excelsior High (23 points). A three-way tie for fourth sees St Jago, Wolmer’s Boys, and Calabar High all locked on 22 points.

Excelsior’s Michael Graham produced a polished run to secure the Class Two 100m crown in 10.46 seconds, holding off Holmwood Technical’s Jaydon Collins (10.54s) and Calabar’s Byron Walker (10.65s) in a well-contested final.

Meanwhile, Jamaica College’s Kai Kelly etched his name in the record books with a meet-record 10.60 seconds in the Class Three final, lowering the previous mark of 10.80s set by Raheem Chambers in 2012. The young speedster powered past St Jago’s Jevaney Findlay (10.67s) and Rajaun Romelly (10.87s) to secure his place in Champs history.