Danielle Williams and Machel Cedenio were the only Caribbean winners at the 2021 Ed Murphey Classic in Memphis, Tennessee on Sunday.
Williams, who missed out on individual representation at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, clocked 12.64 to win the 100m hurdles. Sharika Nelvis of the United States finished second in 12.81 while Evonne Britton third in 12.96.
Earlier, Trinidad’s Cedenio was a comfortable winner in the 400m clocking a modest 45.98. Khallifah Rosser crossed the finish line in second place, stopping the clock in 46.35. Javon Francis, who has suffered a raft of injuries in the past few years was a distant third in 47.84.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Cejhae Greene ran close to his season-best time of 10.00 while finishing third in the 100m won by Marvin Bracy in a fast 9.85. Jerome Blake was second in 10.06 just ahead of Greene’s 10.08.
Jevaughn Minzie, who was fifth in the 100m in 10.15, was on the podium in the 200m after he clocked 20.41 for a second-place finish behind Kyrie King, who won in 20.15. Devon Allen was third in 20.57.
Tynia Gaither of the Bahamas was third in the women’s race won by Dezereah Bryant in 22.78. Brittany Brown was second in 23.05 while Gaither clocked 23.33.
There was another third-place finish for a Caribbean athlete in the Women's 400m that was won by Shamier Little in 50.65 over Jessica Beard, who clocked 50.85. Anastasia LeRoy, who has struggled for form this season, was not even in the same zip code as she was a distant third in 54.15.
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Keilando Goburn takes up role assistant coach at University of Maryland Eastern Shore
St. Jago High School is now searching for a new head coach for their girls track and field team as Keilando Goburn has left the institution.
Goburn, who coached the St. Jago girls team for 16 years, will take his knowledge overseas and take up the role of assistant coach for track and field and cross country at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
During Goburn’s 16 years at the helm of St. Jago’s girls team, they were consistently one of the best performing schools at “champs,” always finding themselves in the top five of the points standings when all was said and done.
Goburn also has had a hand in the development of some of the country’s most promising young athletes including the likes of NCAA Indoor 60m champion Brianna Lyston who started her high school career at St. Jago before making the switch to Hydel High.
Blake, Ogando, Camacho-Quinn secure wins at Gala dei Castelli in Switzerland
Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake and the Dominican Republic’s Alexander Ogando both secured wins at the Gala dei Castelli, a two-day World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meet in Bellinzola, Switzerland from September 8-9.
Blake, a bronze medallist at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow earlier this season, continued his fine form lately with 9.96 to win the men’s 100m ahead of South Africa’s Akani Simbine (10.04) and Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme (10.11).
Ogando, a 200m finalist at the Paris Olympics last month, won the event in Switzerland comfortably in 20.19 ahead of Canada’s Aaron Brown (20.49) and Switzerland’s William Reis (20.55).
Both Blake and Ogando will be in action at the Wanda Diamond League final from September 13-14 in Brussels.
On the women’s side, Puerto Rican Olympic medallist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn took top spot in the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.52, just ahead of American Grace Stark (12.54). Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji ran 12.82 in third.
Camacho-Quinn will also be in action in Brussels.
September 27 declared National Holiday in honour of Olympic champion Julien Alfred: some say it's not enough
In a historic moment for Saint Lucia, September 27 will officially be declared "Julien Alfred Day," a national holiday in honor of Julien Alfred, who became the first athlete from the island to win an Olympic gold medal. Alfred made history by claiming gold in the 100 meters with a lifetime best and national record of 10.72 seconds, and also secured a silver medal in the 200 meters at the Paris Olympic Games. No St Lucian athlete had ever won an Olympic medal before her extraordinary achievement.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre made the announcement during a pre-cabinet press briefing on Monday, unveiling the grand celebrations planned for Alfred's return to the island. Alfred, who has become a national hero, will return to Saint Lucia on September 24 for the first time since her Olympic triumph. A series of events has been organized to mark the occasion, including a motorcade, school rallies, and a mural unveiling, culminating in a national holiday on September 27.
The celebrations will begin on September 24 when Alfred returns to Saint Lucia, where she will be greeted with a motorcade along the East Coast. On September 25, national school rallies will be held at Soufriere Mini Stadium and La Resource Playing Field to celebrate her achievements. The following day, September 26, Alfred will visit The Ciceron Primary School for the unveiling of a mural in her honour, followed by what officials have described as "massive announcements."
"Julien Alfred Day" will be celebrated with a free concert at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on the evening of the holiday, with Saint Lucians being encouraged to come out in large numbers to honor their national icon.
In response to the Prime Minister's announcement, citizens expressed their gratitude and pride, while also calling for further recognition of Alfred's accomplishments. Some suggested that Alfred should be awarded a diplomatic passport and the keys to the city of Castries. Others proposed the establishment of a Julien Alfred Fund for elite athletes and a legacy project aimed at developing sports in Saint Lucia to a world-class level.
Alfred’s achievements have not only brought immense pride to Saint Lucia but have also placed the island on the global athletics map. Her gold and silver medals at the Paris Olympics have inspired a new generation of athletes in Saint Lucia, and the celebrations are expected to be a momentous occasion of national unity and pride.
With the announcement of "Julien Alfred Day," Saint Lucians are set to celebrate not only Alfred's success but also the potential of their small island to produce world-class athletes who can compete and succeed on the biggest stages in sport.
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