Cac Games

Joella Lloyd was also selected but will but participate because of injury, the Antigua and Barbuda Athletics Association said. All three athletes were selected based on their regional and world rankings.

The 27-year-old Greene holds the 100m games record of 10.00 set in Barranquilla in 2018. Skerritt will compete in the 200m and has a lifetime best of 21.08 from August 2022.

His 2023 season-best time is 21.18 run at Kingston’s national stadium in June.

Lloyd, who was selected for both 100m and 200m, misses out because of a long-term injury that has affected her all season. She last competed in February when she ran 23.43 to finish third in the 200m at the Clemson Tiger Paw Invitational.

There were eight finals in track and field on the night during which Venezuela’s world-record holder Yulimar Rojas established a new championship record while dominating the triple jump competition and Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn took home the coveted title of CAC 100m hurdles champion.

Brathwaite found himself in a dogfight with Rasheem Brown of the Cayman Islands and manage to emerge victorious despite both being credited with the same time of 13.64.

Brown took the silver while the bronze medal went to Jeanice Laviolette of Guadeloupe, who clocked 13.82 for third.

By contrast, Camacho-Quinn cruised to victory in the 100m hurdles, winning by daylight in 12.61.

Greisys Roble ran 12.94 and will take the silver medal back to Cuba while Costa Rica’s Andrea Vargas finished third in 13.02.

Dayle followed up her silver-medal run in the 100m with gold in the half-lap sprint that she won in 22.80. It was Jamaica’s first gold medal at the 2023 championships.

In a fierce battle for second place, Cuba Yunisleidy Garcia stopped the clock in 23.05 while just managing to hold off the challenge of Fiordaliza Cofil of the Dominican Republic, who was 0.02 behind in 23.07.

Alexander Ogando of the Dominican Republic came within a hair’s breadth of the Games record in the men’s race clocking 19.99 for the gold medal.

He came with 0.03s of Alonzo Edwards’ record of 19.96 set in 2018.

Colombia’s Carlos Palacious ran 20.37 to win the silver medal while Edwards, who is from Panama took the bronze in a time of 20.46.

Cuba had a 1-2 finish in the Women’s 800m that was won by Rose Almanza in 2:01.75 with her teammate Sahily Diago close behind in 2:02.81.

Shafiqua Maloney of St Vincent and the Grenadines copped third place in a time of 2:04.98.

Maloney’s teammate Handal Roban would win the men’s event in 1:45.93 resisting the challenge of Puerto Rico’s Ryan Sanchez, who ran 1:46.86 and the Dominican Republic’s Ferdy Agramonte, who copped bronze in 1:47.46.

In a triple jump competition of the highest quality, Rojas, the three-time world champion and world record holder, sailed out to a remarkable 15.16m to shatter the previous mark of 14.92m set by Colombian legend Catherine Ibarguen in 2018.

Cuba’s Leyanis Perez also went past the previous record setting a mark of 14.98m with her teammate Liadagmis Povea finishing third in an impressive 14.85m.

Dominica’s Thea LaFond was fourth with a mark of 14.42m.

Orville Byfield has been appointed head coach and will have Dwayne Jarrett, Michael Vassell and Grace Bourah as his support staff that will marshal the squad that mainly features US-based collegiate field-event athletes.

The 13-member men’s team includes, hammer thrower Daniel Cope, long jumper Jordan Turner, triple jumpers O’Brien Wasome and Owayne Owens as well as high jumper Raymond Richards and javelin thrower Elvis Graham.

 Giano Roberts and Odario Phillips will compete in the 110m Hurdles while Jevaughn White is the lone representative in the 100m. Rajay Hamilton and Tarees Rhoden are down to contest the 800m and Troy White is set to take on the 400m hurdles. Zidane Brown will participate in the 400m.

Among the women, Adrienne Adams and Marie Forbes will contest the discus throw while Danielle Sloley competes in the Shot Put.

Erica Belvit and Forbes will contest the Hammer Throw.

Lashanna Graham has double duty in the 400m and 400m hurdles while Yanique Dayle will challenge for medals in the 100m and 200m.

The delegation is also comprised of a support team that includes team manager Brian Smith, assistant manager Marva Samuels, physiotherapists Dionne Bennett, Kamla Forbes and Rockecia Wynter.

In fact, Gilbert pointed out that their opening 2-5 loss to host nation El Salvador was evident as to why their exposure to high level football is significant, as he believes the below par performance was a result of stage fright.

The Reggae Girlz outfit at the tournament comprises mostly Under-20 players with only a handful –Chris-Ann Chambers, Olufolasade Adamolekun, Mireya Grey and twins Mikayla and Malikae Dayes –boasting senior team experience.

This is due to the fact that Jamaica's more experienced players are currently preparing to grace the FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this month. 

While Shanhaine Nelson (13th) and Natoya Atkinson (79th), got goals for Jamaica, the combination of Danya Guitierrez (5th), Victoria Sanchez (7th and 54th), Brenda Ceren (27th) and Jackeline Velasquez (50th), did the damage for El Salvador.

"It was a tough loss. We just didn't settle, and the opponents got two early goals on us and that kind of set us back. We managed to pull one back but the crowd and energy that El Salvadorans played with, we couldn't match that and we just we just didn't find our footing even though we were much better in the second half," Gilbert told SportsMax.tv. 

"So, for I have to give the players credit for the second half display, we made the necessary adjustments, and they performed well then. But there were a lot of nerves in the first half and at this level, with the fanfare, the excitement and just the overall the atmosphere, playing in hostile territory was difficult for them. 

"So, I boil it down to nerves but they're young they're still learning, and this is why these kinds of games, and this exposure is important for them and for their development moving forward. So that for me is the most positive thing than anything else, even than the result and they'll only get better from there," he added.

For Gilbert, this evening's contest against Puerto Rico will be an opportunity for the Girlz to bounce back, but more importantly, it will be another test of their mettle, both physically and mentally.

Game time is at 5:00pm

"This is what international football is all about bouncing back after a loss, bringing that fighting spirit and never-say-die mentality to the fore which is why we are more focused on mental preparation and recovery right now heading into our next game against Puerto Rico," Gilbert shared.

"We don't anticipate that it is going to be anything different. They didn't too bad against the Mexicans, they had their moments, and we know that the tournament was going to be tough. So, it's just to see how best we can recover and fix some of the errors from the first game and that's why we are focused on more mental preparedness than anything else," he noted.

Gilbert's side as well as the Puerto Ricans are both hunting their first points, as El Salvador and Mexico occupy the first two spots and are on course to progressing to the medal round.

If the Reggae Girlz are to stand a chance of medalling, they will have to better Puerto Rico and take a point off Mexico in their last game, provided that the Mexicans and the Puerto Ricans better El Salvador when they meet.

“We just have to bounce back against Puerto Rico, we have to go out there and get it right. We are still in the tournament, and we are still trying to see if we can get to the next round, so will do our best to keep the ladies motivated to give it their best,” Gilbert said.

The squad comprised of mainly next-generation players outscored their Trinidadian opponents 12-10, 11-6, 15-11 and 12-9 in what was perhaps the Jamaicans’ most competitive match of the competition.

Simone Gordon scored 41 goals from 43 attempts for the gold medallists with Rebekah Robinson scoring 11 goals from her 13 attempts.

Afeisha Noel sank 24 of her 26 attempts. She was supported by the sterling efforts of Joelisa Cooper, who was perfect from the circle with her 12 goals.

The Jamaicans were dominant throughout the tournament defeating Barbados 62-34 and then demolishing the Cayman Islands 116-10. They scored more than 100 points against the Dominican Republic who were swamped 110-7 before trouncing St Vincent and the Grenadines in their penultimate match of the series.

Trinidad and Tobago, meanwhile, defeated the Dominican Republic 108-10, Barbados 50-47, and the Cayman Islands 90-12 before suffering their first loss against the Jamaicans.

In the play-off for the bronze medal St Vincent and the Grenadines edged Barbados 51-50.

Mary-Ann Frederick topped the scoring for the bronze medallists with 40 goals with Shellisa Davis adding the other 11.

Jada Smith led the scoring for Barbados with 26 goals while Latonia Blackman adding 24 in the valiant effort.

The Cayman Islands defeated the Dominican Republic 51-33 in the playoff for fifth and sixth.

Clarke, who was 100 years old, died at her home in Florida on Monday.

 “I am sad at the passing of Isis Clarke-Reid, an extraordinary woman who helped to lay the foundation for what Jamaica has achieved in track and field. I had received news of her failing health and had been making preparations to visit her overseas when the COVID crisis disrupted international travel,” Minister Grange said.

“Long before Shelly-Ann Frazer-Pryce, Veronica Campbell-Brown or Merlene Ottey, there was Isis Clarke, competing on dirt tracks; setting and breaking records; and helping to establish Jamaica as a serious competitor in the sport.”

Isis Clarke was a versatile athlete, competing in the 100 metres, the 200 metres and 80 metres low hurdles. 

She first represented Jamaica in international competition at the 1938 Central American and Caribbean Games held in Panama City. There, she, Gertrude Messam, Rhona Saunders and Beryl Delgado won the bronze medal in the 4x100 metres relay. At the 1946 CAC Games in Barranquilla, Colombia, Clarke was a member of the Jamaican team that won the silver medal in the 4x100 metres relay, running with Cynthia Thompson, Hyacinth Walters and Cynthia Llewlyn.

She was also a strong advocate for women in athletics, which she described as being ‘good for health’ in a 1938 newspaper quote.

“As a nation, we are grateful for the part that Isis Clarke-Reid, the ‘Champion Girl Sprinter’ played in Jamaica’s sports development.  We are thankful for her long life—100 years—and the inspiration that she has been and will continue to be,” Minister Grange said.

“I offer sincerest condolences to her family and friends.”

The two-time Commonwealth Games Champion in the 200m ran a brilliant 44.54 to win ahead of St. Lucia’s Michael Joseph (44.90) and Martinique’s Gilles Biron (45.06).

Richards, the reigning World Indoor Champion in the 400m, had a previous outdoor personal best of 44.79 done last year at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene.

Current world leader, Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, dominated the field to take the women’s event in 49.95. Cuba’s Roxana Gomez was a distant second in 51.23 while Puerto Rico’s Gabriella Scott was third in 51.51.

Trinidad & Tobago took gold and silver in the men’s and women’s 4x100m relays, respectively.

The men produced a time of 38.30 to win gold ahead of the Dominican Republic (38.61) and Venezuela (39.13).

The women ran 43.43 to finish behind winners Cuba (43.17). The Dominican Republic ran 43.45 in third.

In the field, T&T’s 2012 Olympic Champion Keshorn Walcott, threw 83.60m to take gold in the men’s javelin ahead of Mexico’s David Carreon (78.03m) and Jamaica’s Elvis Graham (76.43m).

Jamaica’s Danielle Sloley threw 16.81m for silver in the women’s shot put behind the Dominican Republic’s Rosa Ramirez (17.89m). Cuba’s Leyselis Jimenez was third with 16.79m.

Former national squash player Karen Anderson will lead Jamaica’s delegation to the 2022 Caribbean Games, Rudolph Speid takes Jamaica to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, Paulton Gordon will assume duties for the 2023 CAC Games while Nicole Grant Brown will be at the helm for the Pan Am Games.

Corporate Business Executive and Owner, Ian Kelly wears the hat of delegation leader for the Summer Olympics in Paris in 2024 while Businessman and Sports Administrator Gregory Moore takes the helm for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

This broad and varied selection exemplifies the JOA’s quest to bring a higher level of leadership across the spectrum of sports in Jamaica.

"The JOA will continue to not only professionalize the management of the Games under our remit but will continue to provide opportunities for our members to participate in the space and to make meaningful contributions to the Jamaican sporting arena,” said JOA General-Secretary Ryan Foster.

“We believe in providing an avenue for all as sport does not reside with one person or association but we all have our own contribution to make. The naming of the Chef de Missions for the various games is a broad representation of what we have articulated in our Sport for All campaign.

“We see the games as a critical part in the self-actualization of many in their quest for greatness but it is also one facet of how the JOA continues to support the growth and development of sport in Jamaica."

For Anderson, who has represented Jamaica in shooting and squash, her appointment is rewarding on several levels.

“It is a great honour to represent my country as the Chef De Mission for the Caribbean Games. I have represented Jamaica as a player, a referee, and coach at both Commonwealth Games and Pan American Games, so going into sports administration as the Chef De Mission for multi-sport games is almost a natural transition for me,” she said.

“I look forward to the challenge of it, the opportunity of it and it’s the first Caribbean Games so it’s an honour to be thought of to be considered and selected for that role.”

She was quick to point out that with herself and Nicole Grant being selected for similar roles over the next four years is a step forward to women, who have largely been overlooked for similar roles in previous years but who have now been given the opportunity to demonstrate that they are as equally capable to executing well in positions usually reserved for their male counterparts.

“I think it has just been opportunity and for women to be seen that we can do the job just as equally if not sometimes better than men. It’s great that the JOA is now putting women out there and giving us those opportunities to shine,” she said.

“We have the capacity to do it so it’s just a matter of being given an opportunity. This is a time when the JOA is stepping to the fore and saying here are these women, let’s give them the opportunity to lead on an international level, which I think is remarkable on their part.”

Paulton Gordon heads the Jamaica Basketball Association and has led the fraternity on several international campaigns. For him, this is yet another opportunity to grow and develop as an administrator as well as another feather in his cap on a personal level.

“I am elated to serve,” he said. “It will provide me with a more rounded view of the dynamics involved in a multi-sport, multi-cultural environment.  It will certainly broaden my knowledge base and competence in planning, organizing and the coordinating the participation of a large contingent at a major sporting event.”

More broadly, he said, “It provides an opportunity to further contribute to the development of sport and hone skills that require cultural adjustments based on the international nature of the appointment. Networking opportunities will emerge that will facilitate human resource growth and allow the sporting bodies to tap into opportunities regionally.”

Following on the heels of businessman and JOA director Gary Peart being named Chef De Mission for Jamaica’s successful and history-making campaign at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan in 2021, Ian Kelly, Derrimon Trading Chief Financial Officer and Director of many corporate boards, follows in a similar fashion for the Paris Games in 2026.

The JOA has continued to adopt a business approach to the execution of the games and Ian will bring not only his corporate expertise but also his knowledge of managing sport teams, the JOA said.

Similarly, President of Jamaica Esports Initiative, Gregory Moore cites his opportunity as one that will create synergies that will foster a changed mindset as it relates to sports in Jamaica.

“I am honoured to have been appointed Chef De Mission to the next staging of the Winter Olympics in Italy in 2026. I am a businessman and also the president of the Jamaica eSports Initiative, which is a federation under the JOA. We had taken a different approach towards getting that federation up and running.

“We decided to work on structure first so we spent the last two years with a structured approach, more administrative than just pushing the activity by itself.

“With this appointment, I intend to have the same approach because sports are a business and if you don’t treat it as such you won’t be able to facilitate expansion and I believe the JOA has shown that over the last few years taking that business-structured approach.”

The aforementioned approach, Moore believes, will help facilitate the kind of growth that the country will ultimately benefit from in that growth creates opportunities and those opportunities will continue to drive diversification and development.

“I know that the primary role is to ensure the welfare and the well-being of the team, so that will definitely come first, but I will be seeking opportunities for co-working and creating synergies between international entities and our local entities because that is what is going to create more synergies in Jamaica between federations, between organizations. I am just going to play my role, focus on the team and try to see where opportunities will come up for us to form some relationships to create synergies.”

The Reggae Girlz outfit, which comprised mostly Under-20 players, lost 2-5 to host nation El Salvador, followed by a 2-2 stalemate with Puerto Rico, after losing a player to red card early in that contest. They then closed the failed campaign with a 3-7 loss to favourites Mexico on Monday. 

Olufolasade Adamolekun and Mikayla Dayes, two of only a handful of players with senior team experience, got on the score sheet in that encounter. Chris-Ann Chambers, Mireya Grey and Dayes twin sister Malikae Dayes were the others charged with guiding their younger counterparts.

This is due to the fact that Jamaica's more experienced players are currently in Amsterdam, preparing to grace the FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this month.

While admitting that the players had immense scope for improvements, Gilbert took nothing away from their effort throughout.

"We are disappointed we didn't get one in the win column; we had some things that affected us, injuries and red card, especially against Puerto Rico, we played with 10 players but nevertheless the Girlz gave a good account of themselves, and we have to give them credit.

"There are some calls that could have and should have gone our way, hence the result. But there are some things that we have to work on, defensively we have to get tighter and stronger and that comes with getting them together as a unit and getting them organised," Gilbert told SportsMax.tv.

That said, Gilbert pointed out that scheduling didn’t aid their cause, as the games came in quick succession with only a day to rest, recover and fine tune tactics. The difficulties of navigating such a tight schedule, he said, proved challenging for the Girlz to demonstrate consistency in their performances. 

"The inexperience showed along the way because the fixtures were quick, and the turnaround time didn't allow them to recover properly and fix some of the issues and problems we had and that was expected. But notwithstanding that, we managed to score in every game and for me that was a plus, we just have to find a way to stop conceding," Gilbert, who is assistant to Lorne Donaldson's World Cup-bound side, stated.

Still, he took heart from the fact that the experience is invaluable to the development and growth of the young prospects, who are expected to fit into the next senior Reggae Girlz cycle for the Women’s Gold Cup and other tournaments.

"The experience the ladies gained is something we have to build on because you can't pay for what they would have gained from this tournament. Scoring three goals against a quality Mexican team goes to show that they are good offensively but weak defensively," Gilbert shared.

"I said it before that playing at this high level will only benefit the development of the younger players in particular, yes it was tough, but everybody got some playing time which was also important. The younger ones now know what is required to play at this level and the more senior players really guided them through the process, so they will learn from this as they go forward," he ended.

The Pan Am Games champion in the Long Jump, began her season in phenomenal form with four straight 7 metres performances, but saw a dip in form as the season went on that culminated with her finishing a disappointing 12^th in the Olympic final with a 6.50 metres jump.

Malone, speaking on an episode of SportsMax.Tv’s On Point, said she was having injury trouble up to two weeks before the Games in Tokyo.

“A week prior to Chula Vista in April, I had to get a PRP injection in my hamstring because I found out I had a strain in my hamstring. Two weeks before the games, I strained my hamstring again. Prior to that my knee flared up,” said Malone.

The fact that she never really took a break from training after the pandemic also took a toll on her physically.

“You’re training at this high intensity and your body is like; Ok you’ve got to oil me. You want a Ferrari to run like a Ferrari you’ve got to treat it like a Ferrari. That was just what my body was saying to me after training at such a high intensity for so long because, at that point, it had been 2 years since I’d been training at that intensity,” said Malone.

The 2014 CAC Games champion says she was also affected mentally by her ailments.

“Mentally, that’s what took me out a little bit because I didn’t know if I could trust my body. I wanted to jump, and I knew the kind of shape I was in, but subconsciously you’re being a little hesitant with putting the foot down a certain way or just executing the way you need to. As I reflect on the Games that was one of the blocks that I had,” she said.

The full interview can be seen on the Sportsmax TV YouTube channel.

"I am overwhelmed. We have been working hard over the years. We have done a lot with regards to Johnson C. Smith and the track and field programme. As a matter of fact, I was Coach (Lennox) Graham's first recruit, so it is just overwhelming that I am being acknowledged for all the efforts and the achievements," Green shared.

These days a Unit Manager at Piedmont Airlines, Green's journey at JCSU began in 2008, where he quickly made a name for himself. In his sophomore year, he was named the 2008-09 CIAA Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, setting the stage for an illustrious collegiate career. He became the NCAA defending indoor 400m national champion in 2008 and led the JCSU men's track team with standout performances across multiple events. Notably, he set a new Clemson University facility record of 1:03.52 in the 500m during the 2009 indoor season.

Born in the parish of St Mary but raised in St. Catherine, Jamaica, Green earned his second All-American honours for his indoor performance and set a personal best in the 200m with a time of 20.41 seconds, the fastest collegiate time in the nation that year. His prowess extended to the outdoor track as well, where he secured automatic qualifying times for the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Championships in both the 200m and 400m.

Green's dominance continued at the CIAA Outdoor Championships, where he was named MVP after winning the 200m, 400m hurdles, and placing second in the 400m. His remarkable athletic achievements were matched by his academic excellence, as he maintained a 4.0 GPA in information systems engineering. Green also received the Pettis Norman Award at the JCSU Annual Athletic Banquet, recognizing him as Student-Athlete of the Year.

The pinnacle of Green's collegiate career came in 2011 when he was named NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year. That year, he finished the season undefeated and won the NCAA title in the 400m with a time of 45.74 seconds, outpacing the nearest competitor by a full second. He also won the 400m hurdles at the NCAA meet in 2010 and contributed to JCSU's winning 4x400m relay team and fifth-place 4x100m squad.

Green's impact extended beyond his individual accolades. At his conference meet, he earned 2011 CIAA Male Athlete of the Meet honors after winning the 400m and 400m hurdles, finishing second in the 200m, and running a leg on the Golden Bulls' second-place 4x400m relay team. His efforts earned him the title of Division II Male Track Athlete of the Year in 2010.

Reflecting on his time at JCSU, Green highlighted his freshman year as especially memorable. "My freshman year. It was a transitional period for me and Coach Graham. Freshman year, pretty much won indoors, new to all that stuff and came out national champion in the 400m was exceptional for me so it just showed I could overcome and keep on going further and further."

 Green's achievements extended to the international stage, where he represented Jamaica at the 2012 London Olympics, finishing seventh in the 400m hurdles final. He also competed at the World Athletics Championships in 2011, 2013, and 2015. Additionally, Green won gold in the 400m hurdles for Jamaica at the 2010 and 2011 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Puerto Rico. After graduating, Green continued to contribute to JCSU as an assistant coach, mentoring the next generation of athletes.

Leford Green's induction into the Johnson C. Smith University Athletics Hall of Fame is a testament to his dedication, resilience, and excellence both on and off the track. His legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of student-athletes to strive for greatness.

A four-time Olympian, Spencer is a multiple CAC and Pan Am Games champion, who created history in 2018 when she became the first St Lucian to win the high jump gold medal at the Commonwealth Games held on Australia’s Gold Coast.

However, after failing to make the finals of the high jump at the Tokyo Olympics in August, the 37-year-old St Lucian star, has decided it was time to hang up her spikes.

“After 23 consecutive years of representing St. Lucia in the sport of track and field, I have, after careful consideration and analysis, made the tough decision to retire, effective 31st October 2021,” she said in a statement released on Wednesday.

“It was a challenging journey laced with lots of literal blood, sweat, and tears, but a very rewarding journey as well, which led me to four consecutive Olympics, eight consecutive World Championships, five consecutive Commonwealth Games, and gave me 16 Sportswoman of The Year titles.

“So as I hang up my spikes as Commonwealth Champion, Central America & The Caribbean Champion, Pan American Champion and North & Central America and the Caribbean Champion, I say a big thank you to the Government and People of St. Lucia for the privilege of flying our flag regionally and internationally for all these years, and for your support on this journey.”

She thanked corporate St. Lucia for its support and the media “for consistently reporting on all that I did for my country.”

“As I say farewell to a sport that I love so much, I do so with a great sense of pride and joy knowing that I did my best to, against all odds, give our tiny nation the best representation possible, on and off the field.”

Spencer, whose personal best was 1.98m, a national record, had her best performance at an Olympic Games in Rio 2016 when she cleared 1.93m to finish sixth in the final.

Thought that strong comeback didn't translate into a Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games All-Around medal as she would have hoped, the English-born artistic gymnast took home the next best thing from El Salvador –an historic bronze medal in the uneven bars competition.

For Mattis claiming Jamaica's first-ever medal in the event at the Games with a score of 12.750, was an emotional experience given the many setbacks she faced each time she enters a major competition with high expectations.

Mexico's Paulino Campos (13.400) and Panama's Andrea Navas (13.050) were the top two in the uneven bars, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Annalise Newman-Achee (12.200) was fourth.

Along with that bronze medal, Mattis also contested the balance beam All-Around finals, where she finished seventh and eighth with scores of 10.350 and 47.850 respectively. Mattis’s sister, China also contested the All-Around final but didn’t see it through to the end, while Newman-Achee placed sixth with a score of 48.750.

Campos (12.650) and Navas (12.000), again took the top two spots in the balance beam, with another Mexican Alexa Moreno (11.550) in third. However, Navas topped the All-Around battle with 50.500, ahead of Moreno (49.650) and another Panamanian Alexandra Heron (49.450).

“Overall, I feel like I had an amazing competition, and I was so impressed with how I did, making history being the first Jamaican gymnast to medal at CAC Games. I am also very happy that I had my mum and my sister out there with me supporting me and I’m so impressed with my sister making AA finals as well with me. I just can’t wait for another competition to get out there and represent Jamaica again and do a bit better than I did this time,” Mattis told Sportsmax.tv.

Jamilia Duffus and lone male gymnast Canada-born Elel Wahrmann Baker were also among Jamaica’s representatives at the Games.

The 24-year-old Mattis, has always been a prominent figure among Jamaica’s standout performers since switching allegiance last year, and after months without making a podium at numerous events, she pointed to an overwhelming sense of redemption, which resulted in her tearful wave to the crowd after competition.

“It has been a very emotional rollercoaster because I’ve worked so hard over the years, coming back from injury before joining team Jamaica and then not always executing in competition, like I do in training. So after having such a bad performance in Colombia a few weeks ago, I was just excited to make a comeback at this competition and perform great routines,” she shared.

“I know I am more than capable of doing great things, and I just need to trust that my body can do the work and again, not putting too much pressure on myself. It can be a bummer when you work so hard in the gym and when you really want to put out your best, you make mistakes, so I am pretty excited about this accomplishment, I’ve learned from those mistakes and this is now a step in the right direction,” Mattis added.

That direction is towards the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in September where Mattis hopes to prove that this medal stemmed from her immense potential and unflinching desire to make it big for Jamaica, as oppose to a hefty dose of good fortune.

To achieve that, and by extension, possibly qualify for next year’s Olympic Games in France, she knows it will require more solid performances.

“I am really looking forward to a better performance next time out at the World Cup in September. Looking forward to trying some different routines there and putting out more of my skills as I know I have so much more up my sleeve and I have always said that the more I compete internationally, the more confident I feel,” Mattis noted.

“So, I can’t wait to compete at that World Cup. I’m feeling very motivated and excited about the future,” she ended.

Paul, who started his season with a series of unstoppable performances at the UCI Nation’s Cup in Milton Canada, as well as the ‘Speed Paradise’ and the Carnival of Speed events at the National Cycling Centre (NCC) in Balmain, Couva, all in April, followed that up with victory in the Men’s Elite Sprint at the International Cycling Union (UCI) Class One event in Germany recently.

The Trinidad and Tobago stalwart again placed his class on display at the PanAm Elite Track Cycling Championships in Argentina where he won the Sprints and Keirin, while clocking a new track record 9.349 seconds in the flying 200m.

Paul also joined forces with compatriots to place second in the Team Sprint and he rightly expressed delight at the accomplishments.

"Firstly, I would like to give God thanks because without him none of this would be possible. The Pan American Cycling champions in Argentina was a great experience, my races were well executed, and I am very happy with my performance," Paul told SportsMax.tv.

"It was also great to have my countrymen there with me and a great feeling to have won a team medal as well. Everyone on the team played their part, we performed accordingly and came out with a good result," he added.

While those performances represent a massive boost to his CAC Games charge and positions him to achieve other targets this year, the 24-year-old is by no means grandstanding against rivals in El Salvador.

"I am definitely pleased with another solid performance going into the CAC Games. It's all about trying to be consistent while working towards my ultimate goal which is Olympic Games qualification.

"But every event is different, and I am confident but not overconfident, so my plan presently is to just do my best for my country while taking things one competition at a time," he shared.

Though the mindset is always to improve on previous performances and that requires a holistic approach and a strategic vision of what he wants to achieve. 

"Presently I don’t have any planned changes to my programme for CAC Games, however, I’m always focused on getting better at my craft every day, therefore changes can be made accordingly, but we will see how that goes as time goes by," Paul said.

The twin island republic, which currently sits 10th on the standings with 11 medals –four gold, three silver and four bronze –saw its men’s hockey better Barbados 8-2 in semi-final action on Wednesday to book their spot in the coveted gold medal encounter.

Teague Marcano led Trinidad and Tobago’s charge with a hat-trick, while Tariq Marcano and Anthony Vieira both had a brace and Joel Daniel had the other. James Gooden and Ayube Che Warner, got the consolation goals for Barbados.

By virtue of that defeat, Barbados will face Cuba for the bronze medal, with Jamaica and Dominican Republic set to do battle in the fifth-place playoff, while Guyana will lock horns with El Salvador in the seventh-place game.

Earlier, Barbados moved up to 13th on the medal table, after adding another bronze to its tally, courtesy of the women’s hockey team’s 4-2 penalty win over Dominican Republic, after they initially played out a 2-2 stalemate in regulation time.

Ayana Wilson and D’Jamilia Edwards were the scorers for Barbados, as Ana Williams and Cecilia Oflaherti got on the score sheet for Dominican Republic.

Barbados’s seven medals so far include one gold, one silver and five bronze, with Dominican Republic in seventh position, has 12 gold, 26 silver and 41 bronze in their 79-medal tally.

The women’s gold medal game between Cuba and Mexico was also decided on penalty with the Mexicans snaring the top medal with a 3-2 scoreline, after they played to a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time.

Mexico who are currently atop the medal table with 273 medals, 116 gold, 84 silver and 73 bronze, got their goal from Sofia Perez, while Cuba, who sit third with 138 medals -54 gold, 38 silver and 46 bronze –got their goal courtesy of Sunaylis Nikle.

Jamaica’s women also edged Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 on penalty in the fifth-place game, which initially ended 1-1. Kaitlyn Olton gave Trinidad and Tobago the lead before Shana-kay Tullonge placed the Jamaicans back on level terms.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico bettered Bermuda 4-2 in the seventh-place game.

Colombia (182), Venezuela (116) and Puerto Rico (73) are positioned behind Mexico and Cuba as the top five nations on the medal standings. Bahamas (four), St Lucia (two) and Guyana (one) currently sit 15th, 16th and 17th respectively, while Jamaica with five silver and four bronze, occupy 19th position.

In badminton action also on Wednesday, Jamaica’s Samuel Ricketts booked a semi-final spot following a two-set 21-7, 21-10 win over Trinidad and Tobago’s Will Lee.

He will be joined in the last four by Mexico’s Luis Gerrido, who bettered El Salvador’s Uriel Canjura 2-1; Yeison Del Cid of Centro Caribe Sports, who defeated Cuba’s Roberto Herrera 2-0 and another Mexican Armando Gaitan who also registered a 2-0 straight set win over Colombia’s Miguel Quirama.

On the women’s side of action, Jamaica’s Tahlia Richardson beat Centro Caribe Sports Eneida Santizo 2-0 in straight sets, CCS’s Nikte Sotomayor, who bettered Dominican Republic’s Alissa Acosta.

Mexico’s Haramara Gaitan defeated Dom Republic’s Nairoby Jimenez 2-0, while Cuba’s Taymara Oropesa, also booked a spot in the semi-final with a 2-1 win over Mexico’s Sabrina Solis in a three-set contest.

Tahlia Richardson later joined forces with Katherine Wynter to secure Jamaica a spot in the Women’s Doubles semi-final, after they defeated El Salvador’s pair of Margareth Revelo and Gabriela Barrios 2-0 in straight sets.

The team of Che Lara, Renny Quow, Machel Cedenio and Jereem Richards combined to run 3:01.99 for gold. The Barbados quartet of Kyle Gale, Rasheeme Griffith, Rivaldo Leacock and Desean Boyce ran 3:02.12 while the Dominican Republic took bronze in 3:02.19.

In the field, Jamaica’s Adrienne Adams threw 55.43m for bronze in the women’s discus throw. Cuba’s Silinda Morales threw 61.95 for gold while Mexico’s Alma Pollorena threw 55.58m for silver.