The excitement at the 2024 Carifta Games in Grenada reached a fever pitch as Guyana clinched a thrilling victory in the mixed 4x400m relay, sealing their triumph in the final event of the day. However, controversy loomed as Jamaica, initially finishing third, faced disqualification pending a review, prompting considerations of a protest from their management.
In a display of exceptional teamwork and determination, Guyana’s team, comprising Malachi Austin, Narissa McPherson, Dh Neilson Gill, and Tianna Springer, clocked an impressive time of 3:23.51, securing the gold medal and igniting celebrations among their supporters.
Following closely behind, Grenada, represented by Elisha Williams, Joshiem Sylvester, Cheffonia Houston, and Kemisha Dominique, delivered a commendable performance, finishing with a time of 3:29.19 to claim the silver medal.
Trinidad and Tobago, featuring Keone John, Kyah Hyson, Jaden Clement, and Kadija Pickering, rounded out the podium, clinching the bronze medal with a time of 3:31.24.
Earlier in the day, athletes showcased their talents in various events, adding to the spectacle of the Carifta Games. In the Girls Long Jump Under 17, J'kaiyah Rolle of Bahamas soared to victory with a jump of 5.77m, closely followed by Jamaica's Sashana Johnson and Belize's Brooklyn Lyttle, who leaped out to marks of 5.74m and 5.73, respectively.
In the Under 20 Boys Javelin Throw, Kaden Cartwright of Bahamas impressed with a winning throw of 67.34m, while Grenada's Rayvohn Telesford (67.34) and Dominica's Addison Alickson James (65.57m) secured second and third place, respectively.
Chrystophe Calliste of Grenada emerged victorious in the Boys Triple Jump Under 17 with a leap of 14.67m, beating out Jamaica's Amani Phillips ( 14.18m) and Bahamas' Davon Davis (14.16m) for the top spot.
The Girls Heptathlon saw an extraordinary tie for the gold medal between Jamaica's Kimeka Smith and Guadeloupe's Clémentine Carias, both amassing a total of 4699 points. Bahamas' Aaliyah Evans secured the bronze medal with a total score of 4181 points.
As the sun set on Day 2 of the Carifta Games, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation for the upcoming Day 3, promising more exhilarating performances and thrilling moments on the track and field.
Jamaica showcased their sprinting prowess at the Carifta Games in Grenada on Sunday night, securing victory in three out of four 4x100m relay events. Their bid for a clean sweep was foiled by Trinidad and Tobago in the Under 20 Boys 4x100m relay, adding excitement to an electrifying evening of track and field.
In the U17 Girls 4x100m relay, Team Jamaica surged to victory with a stellar performance. The quartet blazed across the finish line in 45.36 seconds, clinching the gold medal. Team Bahamas secured the silver with a time of 46.28 seconds, while Team Trinidad and Tobago took the bronze with a time of 47.49 seconds.
The U17 Boys 4x100m saw Jamaica dominate the competition. The team composed of Nyron Wade, Malike Nugent, Byron Walker, and Oshane Jervis stormed to victory in 41.30 seconds, claiming the gold medal. Trinidad and Tobago finished closely behind, securing the silver with a time of 41.53 seconds, while Bahamas grabbed the bronze in a time of 42.30.
Continuing their sprinting dominance, Jamaica triumphed in the Under 20 Girls 4x100m relay. The team of Habiba Harris, Theianna-Lee Terrelonge, Briana Campbell, and Shanoya Douglas delivered a sensational performance, clocking a time of 43.63 seconds to clinch the gold medal. Trinidad and Tobago settled for silver with a time of 44.43 seconds, while Bahamas secured the bronze in 45.40.
However, Jamaica's quest for a clean sweep was thwarted in the Under 20 Boys 4x100m relay by Trinidad and Tobago. Jamaica's team, hampered by poor exchanges fell short of the top spot, finishing with a time of 40.55 seconds, earning them the silver medal. Trinidad and Tobago claimed victory in 40.45 seconds, while Grenada "A" secured the bronze in 40.71.
Despite missing out on a sweep, Jamaica's dominant performance in three out of four 4x100m relay events underscored their sprinting prowess and left a lasting impression on the Carifta Games in Grenada.
The Carifta Games in Grenada witnessed remarkable performances on Sunday as Demetrie Myers and Kaydean Johnson successfully defended their 3000m titles, showcasing their dominance in distance running. Additionally, Chavez Pen delivered a standout performance in the Boys Under 20 High Jump event, setting a lifetime best to secure victory.
In the Boys 3000m run Under 17, Myers of Belize exhibited outstanding endurance and determination, crossing the finish line in 9:05.86 to claim the gold medal. Wyndel Beyde of Aruba finished strong to secure the silver medal with a time of 9:21.30, while Isaiah Alder of Trinidad and Tobago clinched the bronze with a time of 9:29.35.
Meanwhile, in the Girls 3000m Open, Johnson of Jamaica showcased her exceptional talent and strength, defending her title with a commanding performance. Johnson crossed the finish line in 10:04.44 to secure the gold medal, while her compatriot Ashara Frater claimed the silver with a time of 10:24.83. Attoya Harvey of Guyana impressed with a third-place finish, securing the bronze medal with a time of 10:36.59.
In the Boys High Jump Under 20 event, Chavez Pen of Jamaica soared to victory with a remarkable jump of 2.13m, setting a lifetime best. Timothy Greenidge of Grenada delivered a commendable performance to secure the silver medal with a jump of 2.05m, while Bernard Kemp of the Bahamas claimed the bronze with a jump of 1.95m.
Day two of the Carifta Games at the Kirani James Stadium in Grenada witnessed thrilling performances in the Boys U17 high jump and shot put events, with athletes showcasing their strength and skill on the field. The Bahamas emerged as a dominant force in the high jump competition, while Jamaica secured victory in the shot put event.
In the Boys High Jump Under 17, Bahamian athletes Joshua Williams and Claudius Burrows displayed exceptional talent as they soared over the bar with finesse. Williams claimed the gold medal with a superb jump of 2.00m. His compatriot, Claudius Burrows, secured the silver medal with a commendable jump of 1.95m, demonstrating the depth of talent in the Bahamas team. Tyrique Vincent of Trinidad and Tobago clinched the bronze medal with a jump of 1.90m.
Meanwhile, in the Boys Shot Put Under 17, Jamaican athlete Javontae Smith delivered a stunning performance, setting a new record with a massive throw of 18.80m. His remarkable feat earned him the gold medal. Jayden Walcott of Barbados secured the silver medal with a throw of 15.37m, while Jaylen Stuart of the Bahamas claimed the bronze with a throw of 15.28m rounding off the podium.
Jamaica asserted its dominance in the 400m hurdles at the Carifta Games at the Kirani James Stadium in Grenada on Sunday, clinching victory in three out of the four finals. Amidst the impressive performances, Michelle Smith from the US Virgin Islands stood out with her stellar run, setting the track ablaze with her speed and precision.
In the U17 Girls 400m hurdles, Nastassia Fletcher of Jamaica secured her second gold medal of the games with a time of 1:00.10. Despite strong competition from Darvinique Dean of the Bahamas, who finished in second place with a time of 1:00.66, and Jenna-Marie Thomas of Trinidad and Tobago, who claimed the bronze with a time of 1:01.03, Fletcher's determined effort propelled her to a commanding victory.
Meanwhile, in the U20 Girls 400m hurdles, Michelle Smith delivered a dominant performance, clocking an impressive time of 56.28 seconds. Her swift and commanding run left spectators in awe as she crossed the finish line ahead of her competitors. Kelly Ann Carr of Jamaica secured the silver medal with a time of 57.02 seconds, while Aaliyah Mullings, also from Jamaica, claimed the bronze with a time of 59.80 seconds.
In the Under 17 Boys 400m hurdles, Robert Miller of Jamaica made history with a remarkable performance, setting a new championship record with a time of 52.19 seconds. His electrifying run, saw him finish well ahead of Akanye Samuel-Francis of St. Kitts and Nevis, who finished in second place with a time of 52.88 seconds, and Fransico Williams of Jamaica, who secured the bronze with a time of 53.19 seconds.
While Jamaica's dominance was evident in three of the races, the Boys 400m Hurdles Under 20 saw a fierce battle between Jamaican athletes. Shamer Blake emerged victorious with a time of 51.21 seconds, closely followed by his compatriot Princewell Martin, who finished just behind with a time of 51.34 seconds. Dorian Charles of Trinidad and Tobago also delivered a commendable performance, securing the bronze medal with a time of 52.70 seconds.
In a thrilling conclusion to the Under 20 Boys Long Jump final at the 51st Carifta Games, held at the Kirani James Stadium in Grenada, Jamaica's Rickoy Hunter delivered a breathtaking performance to snatch the gold medal in the closing moments of the morning session on Day 2.
Throughout the competition, Hunter had remained in third place, trailing behind the leading mark set by Bernard Kemp of The Bahamas. However, as the event neared its conclusion, Hunter seized the opportunity to showcase his belief and determination. With his final attempt, he unleashed a remarkable leap, soaring out to a distance of 7.48m.
Hunter's last-minute heroics propelled him into the top spot, surpassing Kemp's leading mark of 7.40m.
Unfortunately for Kemp, who had held the lead for much of the competition, his hopes of victory were dashed as he fouled his final attempt, ending any chance of reclaiming the top position.
Amidst the dramatic showdown between Hunter and Kemp, Teon Haynes of Barbados also delivered an impressive performance, earning the bronze medal with a leap of 7.32m.
On the morning of Day 2 of the 51st Carifta Games in Grenada, the Bahamas and Jamaica asserted their dominance early, clinching gold medals in impressive displays of athleticism.
The Bahamas added to the two gold medals they won on Saturday as Taysha Stubbs, a 17-year-old rising star, secured the gold in the Under 20 Girls Javelin event. With a remarkable throw of 50.94m, Stubbs out-performed her competitors. Her compatriot, Vanessa Sawyer, clinched the silver with a commendable throw of 43.03m, adding to the Bahamas' medal haul. Grenada's Alliah Gittens rounded off the podium with a bronze medal, reaching a distance of 42.33m.
Meanwhile, Jamaica also celebrated success as Kimeka Smith triumphed in the Under 20 Girls Shot Put. Smith delivered a strong throw of 13.68m, securing the gold medal for her country. The Bahamas' Annae MacKey demonstrated her skill with a throw of 13.58m, earning the silver medal. Briana Smith from the Cayman Islands displayed her talent with a throw of 12.86 meters, claiming the bronze medal.
Brenden Vanderpool of Bahamas and Guadeloupe’s Jackie Henrianne Hyman were in record-breaking form in the boys’ pole vault open and girls’ Under-20 discus finals respectively, as they topped the field event performers on the evening session of the 51st Carifta Games at Kirani James Athletics Stadium in Grenada on Saturday.
Vanderpool, who was always favoured to retain the title, needed only three jumps to confirm his championship status, as he entered the competition at 4.70m and later cleared 5.10m and the record height of 5.30m –all on his first attempts.
He attempted to go higher at 5.49m but failed. Tyler Cash (4.45m) also of Bahamas was second, with Martinique’s Lucas Ledoux (4.10m) in third.
Meanwhile, Hyman became the first Under-20 girl to go over 55.00 metres in the history of the Games, as she had a winning heave of 55.06m, which bettered the previous record of 54.19m set by Jamaica’s Fiona Richards in 2017.
In fact, Hyman had earlier erased the previous record with her third throw of 54.24m, but she went further on the following attempt to stamp her class on the field. Jamaica’s Dionjah Shaw (50.26m) and Najhada Seymoure (48.82m), were second and third respectively.
Elsewhere in the field, Jamaica’s Shaiquan Dunn and Chad Hendricks produced a one-two finish in the boys’ Under-20 discus final to add to the country’s tally.
The Jamaicans were positioned first and second from the very first throw, with Hendricks leading up to the fifth attempt, which is where Dunn took over the gold medal position.
Dunn’s winning heave of 61.47m came on his sixth and final attempt, but prior to that, he had a 59.66m, which would have also secured the top spot.
Hendricks for his part, had his best throw of 58.73m on the fifth attempt, as he fouled on his final throw, while the bronze went to Antwon Walkin (52.77m) of Turks and Caicos Island.
Another Jamaican duo Richelle Stanley and Dejanae Bruce finished first and third in the girls’ Under-20 triple jump final. Stanley, who missed out on the gold medal at the recently-concluded ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championship, viewed this Carifta Games as a shot at redemption and she duly capitalised.
The St Elizabeth Technical standout achieved the winning leap of 12.58m from her very first jump and was never to be denied from there. Trinidad and Tobago’s Keneisha Shelbourne was second at 12.49m, with Bruce’s 12.20m on her third attempt, good enough for bronze.
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Jamaica’s athletes swept the girls’ and boys’ Under-17 400m races, with the Under-20 events going to Guyana, as action continued on the opening day of the 51st Carifta Games at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium in Grenada on Saturday.
Nastassia Fletcher of Jamaica finished tops in the girls’ Under-17 event, as compatriot Nickecoy Bramwell topped the boy’s Under-17 event in a championship record, while the impressive Guyanese duo of Tianna Springer and Malachi Austin were a cut above rivals in the Under-20 events.
Fletcher started the series with a tidy 54.32s-clocking to win the girls’ Under-17 event ahead of the fast-finishing Keyezra Thomas (54.59s) of Bahamas, with Antigua and Barbuda’s Tyra Fenton (54.89s) finishing third.
Bramwell then followed suit, as he successfully defended his boys’ Under-17 title. The smooth striding athlete had the field beaten from 200m out, but pushed himself to stop the clock in 47.27s, which lowered Usain Bolt’s 47.33s Championship Record set in 2002.
Kemron Mathlyn (47.96s) of Grenda and Eagan Neely (48.16s) of the Bahamas were the runners-up.
Meanwhile, Springer the Under-17 champion from last year, produced a breathtaking performance to top the girls’ Under-20 final in personal best 52.31s. She closed well to better the Jamaican pair of Abigail Campbell (52.85s) and Shaquane Williams (53.03s).
Austin, a Commonwealth Youth Games silver medallist, then brought the curtains down on the series, as he also produced a late charge to win in a new personal best 46.35s. He denied Jamaica’s Marcinho Rose (46.59s), with Joshiem Sylvester (46.93s) of Grenada in third.
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Jamaica’s athletes registered a clean sweep of the boys’ and girls’ Under-17 and Under-20 1,500m titles, as they continued their impressive start to the 51st edition of the Carifta Games at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium in Grenada on Saturday.
The Jamaicans enjoyed one-two finishes in the girls’ Under-17 and Under-20 races, with another one-two finish coming in the boys’ Under-20 race, while boys’ Under-17 event produced a one-three finish.
Dallia Fairweather and Alikay Reynolds got things going in the girls’ Under-17 event where they utilised strategy to outclass their Trinidad and Tobago counterparts, who tried to stick with them.
At the end, Fairweather won in 4:45.86, ahead of Reynolds (4:46.14), with Trinidad and Tobago’s Shian Lewis (4:48.58) taking bronze.
Patience was also proved rewarding for Jamaica’s Shemar Green in the boys’ Under-17 event, as he timed his race to perfection to cut down longtime leader Wyndel Beyde of Aruba in the stretch run. Green won in 4:11.91, with Beyde (4:12.80) staying on for second ahead of another Jamaican Sekani Brown (4:15.21).
In the girls’ Under-20 event, Rickeisha Simms, also produced a later burst to win gold in 4:31.94 and add to her title won in 2022. Her compatriot Kaydeen Johnson, who led for most of the way was second in 4:32.49, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Kaleigh Forde (4:41.71) was third.
The Jamaican sweep was completed by Kemario Bygrave, who ensured that he completes his final year of the competition with a gold. He stopped the clock in 3:58.10, ahead of compatriot Jaquan Coke (3:58.38), with Bermuda’s Jake Brislane (3:58.83) taking bronze.
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Louisiana State University (LSU) Sophomore Brianna Lyston produced a sizzling 10.87w (2.6 m/s) to finish second overall at the 2024 Battle on the Bayou at the Bernie Moore Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday.
Lyston, who earlier this season claimed both the SEC and NCAA Indoor 60m titles, produced her first sub-11 time to finish in a close second behind Favour Ofili of Tiger Olympians who won in 10.85.
McKenzie Long of Ole Miss was third in 10.89.
Interestingly, this was Lyston's first 100m race since the Class One final at the 2022 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships.
Elsewhere, LSU’s Jahiem Stern ran 13.43 for third in the men’s 110m hurdles behind the Texas A&M pair Jaqualon Scott (13.34) and Connor Schulman (13.42).
Mississippi State’s Tyrese Reid ran a personal best 1:45.76 for second in the men’s 800m won by Texas A&M’s Sam Whitmarsh in 1:44.46.
Marcus Dropik of Ole Miss ran 1:47.82 in third.
In the field, Kentucky’s Luke Brown produced 16.40m to take the win in the men’s triple jump ahead of Ole Miss’s Iangelo Atkinstall-Daley (15.25m) and Georgia’s Zavien Wolfe (14.84m).
Jamaica’s Jamelia Young copped the country’s second medal of the 51st edition of the Carifta Games, as she topped rivals in the girls’ Under-17 shot put final at the Kirani James Stadium in Grenada on Saturday.
Young, who is more known for her discus prowess, achieved a winning heave of 14.25m on her fourth attempt, which represents a significant improvement on the 13.33m she threw when winning at the trials.
The 16-year-old Clarendon College standout won ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s Peyton Winter (14.21m) and Terrell McCoy (14.11m) of the Bahamas.
Jamaica heads the medal standing with two gold medals so far, as Zavien Bernard also topped the girls’ Under-17 high jump final.
Antigua and Barbuda have one gold courtesy of Maleik Francis’s record-breaking win in the boys’ Under-17 javelin throw, while Trinidad and Tobago (one silver and one bronze), Bahamas (one silver and one bronze), St Kitts and Nevis (one silver) and Grenada (one bronze), also secured medals in the opening session.
The evening session is scheduled to begin with the Opening Ceremony at 1:30pm Jamaica time.
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Antigua & Barbuda’s Maliek Francis is the first record-breaker at the 51st Carifta Games after producing a dominant performance on the way to gold in the Under-17 Boys Javelin at the Kirani James Stadium in Grenada on Saturday.
Francis had fairly moderate throws of 54.06m and 58.70m in the first two rounds before unleashing a record-breaking 68.84m in the third round.
He produced a second throw north of 60m, 62.39m to be exact, in round five on the way to a comfortable victory on day one of the meet.
St. Kitts & Nevis’ Jaheem Clarke threw 56.09m for silver while Grenada’s Delorn John threw 54.70m for bronze.
The previous record 64.31 was done by Bahamian KeyShawn Strachan in 2019.
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While it was not her most fluent series of jumps, Zavien Bernard held her composure well enough to cop Jamaica’s first gold medal of the 51st Carifta Games, as she topped the Under-17 girls’ high jump at the Kirani James Stadium in Grenada on Saturday.
Bernard, who entered the Games in superb form after clearing 1.83m to win gold at the recently-concluded ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, couldn’t replicate that clearance, but did enough to finish tops in the end.
After failing first time at 1.55m, the 15-year-old Bernard got into rhythm and had first time clearance at 1.60m, 1.65m, 1.68m, with the winning leap coming first time at 1.71m. She later failed in her attempt at 1.74m.
“I am extremely happy because this is my first time representing the national team. It’s a bit disappointing that I didn’t go higher, but I had to pull myself together because I knew my team needed this. The other competitors pushed me a little, but I am used to this, and I actually expected myself to win this event,” Bernard, who attends Hydel High said after the victory.
The Jamaican faced stiffed competition from silver medallist Alexandria Komolafe (1.71m), who cleared all the heights on her first attempt and seemed well on her way to victory, before she clipped the bar first time at 1.71m, which opened the door for Bernard to snatch victory.
Tenique Vincent of Trinidad and Tobago was third with a clearance at 1.68m.
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Two-time double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah says training is going well ahead of her bid to defend her titles in Paris later this year.
The 31-year-old has switched camps this season and is now training under Reynaldo Walcott, who also coaches 3-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
“It has been great. My schedule has changed with a different system and different coach so I’m just trying to get accustomed to that and I think I’m in a good place right now and I’m happy about that,” Thompson-Herah said in an interview with Citius Mag.
The early part of Thompson-Herah’s 2023 season was hampered with injury.
In an interview with SportsMax.tv after her 100m season opener at the JAAA All Comers Meet at Jamaica College on June 24 last year, Thompson-Herah explained how her training had been hampered so much because of constant pain, going as far as to say her persistent injuries almost caused her to quit the sport entirely.
“Honestly, I’m feeling good despite the fact that I’ve been out so long. It has been a challenging one but, I still hang on. I almost gave up but I have faith and I came out here to just test my body to see where I’m at. My training has not been how I wanted it to but, the fact that I missed so much and came out here and ran 11.23 today, I’m just grateful,” she said after the race.
“People see us on the track all the time but they don’t know what comes behind that. I cried most mornings when I was driving home in my car because I see that I’m working hard and I’m not getting the results I want. I was on the verge of giving up, honestly, but God spoke to me and said ‘you cannot give up right now because I took you this far,” she added.
Nine months later, Thompson-Herah says she feels good heading into the season and is focused on remaining healthy before anything else.
“I feel good. It’s like if you have a car and have to service the car. My duty is to make sure that my body is fine-tuned and always ready for the goal. The key focus is to always stay healthy. The time doesn’t matter right now. What matters is getting through each race fit and healthy. Once I have that, the time will come after. The aim is always to break a world record and defend my title,” she said.
“For me the mindset is I have to be strong and have to be positive. Push out those negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones. It’s all about getting my workout done each day. Once that is done, I pray to Christ and I’m happy. The key that I walk with every day is believing in myself,” she added.
Having won the sprint double at the last two Olympics in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021, Thompson-Herah was asked if she feels any pressure to complete the three-peat in Paris this year.
“Only time I ever feel pressure is if I have an injury. The pressure is trying to wonder how can I fix this injury fast to make to the Olympics and to make it to the Olympics, we have to go to national trials and once I have that ready I think I’m good. For now, just stay focused and healthy,” she said.
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