The 2019 CARIFTA games have commenced in two different countries and Guyana is making its presence known by winning four gold and one bronze medal to date.
At the Track and Field Championships, being staged in the Cayman Islands, Claudrice McKoy lived up to expectations and won the U-20 1500m in 4:39.46s ahead of Jamaicans Kelly-Ann Beckford (4:40.49) and Aneisha Lawrence (4:41.19).
Joanna Archer, the other Guyanese in the race, ran well but finished fifth with a time of 4:46.03.
Chantoba Bright continued her stellar exploits at the championships by winning another Gold in the U-20 Long Jump. Her leap of 6.05m was the loner in the six-meter marker. Jamaica’s Lotavia Browne (5.83m) and Martinique’s Fiona Aholu-Futse (5.78m) were the other medalist.
Young Anisha Gibbons broke the 40-meter marker to win the U-17 Javelin. Her best throw was 40.34m, ahead of Vivica Addison (39.70m) and Rachell Pascal (35.50m).
Bronze came for Shaquka Tryell in the U-17 1500m with a time of 4:52.52. Jamaican duo of Samantha Prince (4:47.34) and Jodyann Mitchell (4:49.49) got gold and silver respectively.
In the men’s event, Mathew Gordon (4:12.17s) got fifth and Cordell Charles (4:17.83) ninth.
In the girls Under-17 100m, Brianna Charles finished eighth with a time of 12.53s. The race was won by Bahamian Anthaya Charlton (11.51s), followed by Shaniqua Bascombe (11.72) and Ulanda Lewis (11.91s).
Jahaziah Copeland got sixth in the Under-20 discuss with a best throw of 28.91. It was won by Jamaica’s Marie Forbes with a best mark of 47.63m.
Keliza Smith got fifth in the U-17 400m with a time of 56.51m. Bermuda’s Caitlyn Bobb was the lone competitor to dip below the 54-second barrier, clocking 53.69s.
In the Under-20, 400m, Deshana Skeete, a former medalist placed seventh with a time of 55.15s. Jamaican Shaquena Foote won in 52.63.
In the U-17 Long Jump, Wesley Tyndall got seventh with a best leap of 6.28m in an event won by Barbados’ Caleb Massiah (6.84m).
At Sunday’s morning session, Charles missed out on qualifying for the U-17 200m finals, likewise, Osa Blair. However, Skeete, Daniel Williams and Loneil Marks made into the U-20 finals.
Williams will hope to make amends after finishing seventh in his pet event, the 400m, with a time of 48.65s.
The 200m finals are scheduled for 20:30h and 20:40h, respectively this evening.
Swimming
Over in Barbados, Aleka Persaud won gold in the 11-12 100m Meter Butterfly at the CARIFTA Swimming Championships.
She clocked a time of 1:08.52s ahead of Jamaican Giani Francis (1:10.17s) and Harper Barrowman (1:10.53s) of the Cayman Islands.
Rakewon Noel got fifth in the 13-14 1500m Freestyle, he clocked 18:18.88s, in a race which was on by Trinidad’s Nikoli Blackman 17:01.45s.
Patrice Mahaica got fifth in the 11-12 50m Backstroke with a time of 34.67s. Leon Seaton Jr., Nathan Jackson and Paul Mahaica are expected to be in action over the course of today.
