CALABAR’S Shakiel Chattoo has taken an early lead in a field of 14 in the boys’ decathlon open at press time on the second day of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium, yesterday.

Chattoo leads the way with 2,164 points after three of the five events up to press time. He was marginally ahead of Jamaica College’s Shamar Morrison on 2,130, and Excelsior High’s Maurice Harrison on 2,128.

Shaquille Shaw (1,952 points) of Kingston College was fourth, ahead of Cornwall College’s Orelle Bulgin (1,944), while in sixth place was Akeem Aris of Wolmer’s on 1,898. The top eight is completed by Asani Hylton of Godfrey Stewart on 1,874 and Buff Bay’s Amaudo O’Conner with 1,866 points.

The decathletes’ first task yesterday was the 100m, which resulted in Chattoo and Morrison being locked in a ding-dong battle in section one, both crossing the line together in a time of 11.21 seconds, ahead of Akeem Aris in 11.52 seconds. Section two was easily won by Jordan Waite of St Jago in a time of 11.23 seconds.

Chattoo then leapt 6.81 metres to get the better of his opponents in the long jump. Shaquille Shaw (6.64m) was second and Maurice Harrison (6.62m) third.

Morrison won the shot put when he threw a distance of 12.54 metres ahead of Harrison with 12.48, and Chattoo, with 11.58, having to settle for third.

The high jump, which was the fourth event on the sheet, was in action at press time.

There were 16 competitors scheduled to take part in the 10-discipline event, but after event number one only 15 were on show, as Odane Lacey of Thompson Town did not start. The field was then cut to 14 after event number two, with Jordain Waite, who was in second position early on, being forced to pull out due to a hamstring injury.