Archibald stars, but still off Olympic qualification mark

One of Guyana’s brightest prospects to qualify for this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Emanuel Archibald, once again dominated his local competition when the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) staged its second Development Meet on Sunday at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora.

While his exploits were commendable from a local standpoint, he still did not meet the criteria to qualify for the 100m nor the Long Jump.

In the 100m, he clocked a wind-assisted 10.24 seconds, which was off his 10.21 seconds in mid-February. In the Long Jump, his best leap was 8.07m.

The qualification for the 100m is 10.05 seconds, while the Long Jump mark is 8.22m.

Archibald told News Room Sport that Sunday’s outing was not as good as his first, but close and the main thing is to maintain consistency in what will be a long season.

While he hopes to soon return to Jamaica to continue his scholarship, his eyes are fixed on a dominant performance at AAG’s Senior Championships in April.

Micaiah Washington of the Guyana Defence Force came second in the Men’s Long Jump with a leap of 7.26m, while Super Upcoming Runners’ Vibert Dummett recorded 6.50m.

Rounding out the top three in the Male 100m where Nolex Holder (10.39s) and Deron Roberts (10.59s), while the female podium finishers were Cassy Small (11.59s), Ruth Sanmoogan (12.01s) and Shaquan Daniels (12.29s).

In the male 200m, Akeem Stewart of the Guyana Defence Force clocked 21.36s, followed by Brian Roman (22.08s) and Michael James (22.18s).

Keliza Smith won the female event in a time of 25.67s ahead of Natrena Hooper (26.20s) and Daniels (26.50s).

The 400m went to Devaughn Barrington (49.80s), followed by Roman (51.09s) and Jevon Harris (51.32s). The GDF pair of Serena Williams clocked 1:04.19s and Shevon Peters 1:12.55s in their 400m.

National Javelin record-holder Leslain Baird had a distance of 75.00m, but injured his left knee in the process. He suffered a ligament tear.

Baird would hope to recover quickly and meet the 85.00m mark for Olympic Qualification.