Tough start for Guyana at World U-20 Championships

Guyana’s young track and field stars faced a tough opening day at the World Athletics Under-20 Championship in Lima, Peru.

The mixed relay team, which consisted of Nerissa McPherson, Enoch Monroe, Tianna Springer, and Dhneilson Gill, finished sixth place in Heat 2 with a time of 3:26.06s.

It was off par with their Commonwealth Youth Games record of 3:22.07 seconds and Carifta Games record of 3:23.51 seconds.

In the individual events, Guyana’s hopes were pinned on Athaleyha Hinckson, the reigning CARIFTA U17 and South American U20 100m champion.

However, she couldn’t replicate her previous success, finishing sixth in her heat as she stopped the clock at 12.01s.

Ezekiel Newton and Jackson Clarke also struggled in the men’s 100m.

Newton clocked 10.80s while USA-based Clarke had 10.68s, but neither time was enough to push them into the semi-finals.

On Day Two, Narissa McPherson and the talented Tianna Springer will attempt to qualify for the women’s 400m final, while Malachi Austin, the CARIFTA and South American U20 champion, will compete in the men’s 400m.

The female heats start at 12:05h, while the men’s heats start at 13:00h.

The first three and three fastest times qualify for the semi-finals.

Guyana’s track and field history at the World U20 Championships is relatively modest, with only one medal – a silver in the women’s 400m by Kadecia Baird in 2015. Baird’s impressive time remains the fastest U20 performance by a South American athlete.