Team Jamaica hit 50-medal mark at Carifta Games
Up to press time yesterday Jamaica raced to 50 medals at the 46th staging of FLOW Carifta Games in Curacao following another dominant display at the Ergilio Hato Stadium.
Jamaica predictably head into today’s third and final day well out front with 50 medals, inclusive of 23 gold, 18 silver and nine bronze.
The Jamaicans are on course to top the medal table for the 33rd consecutive year following some outstanding displays, highlighted by the boys’ Under-18 4x100m team that dipped below the 40-second barrier, establishing a blistering new record of 39.97 seconds.
The quartet of Michali Everett, Tyreke Wilson, Xavier Nairne and Michael Stephens lowered the record of 40.40, set in 2016 by Jhevaughn Matherson, Christopher Taylor, Dejour Russell and Michael Stephens.
So impressive were the Under-18 boys that their winning time was also faster than that of the gold medal-winning Jamaican Under-20 quartet of Jelani Walker, Christopher Taylor, Tyreke Bryan, and Delano Dunkley, who clocked 40.10.
It was the same story for the girls with the younger set running faster than the older girls. Jamaica’s Under-18 girls, with the fast-starting Brianna Williams, Kevona Davis, Britany Anderson, and Michae Harriott established a new record clocking 44.35 seconds.
The Under-20 girls also won, as Kasheika Cameron, Aneka Brissett, Taqece Duggan, and Tissanna Hickling clocked 44.83 for gold as Jamaica swept the 4x100m relays.
The very promising Carey McLeod leapt 7.62m for gold in the Under-20 long jump, while Marie Forbes took the girls’ Under-18 discus with 43.62m. Her teammate Kimone Reid was second with 40.39m.
Jamaica won three of the four 400m hurdles while collecting eight medals. Sanique Walker won the girls’ Under-18 in a record 58.95 seconds, ahead of her teammate Taffara Rose in 1:00.95 minutes. Nicolee Foster took the girls’ Under-20 in 58.84 seconds. Shiann Salmon was second in 59.59.
Jamaica’s Ronaldo Griffiths won the boys’ Under-20 in 52.01, ahead of his countryman Timor Barrett in 52.32 seconds. Rovanne Williams and Dashinelle Dyer were second and third in the Under-18 400m hurdles in 52.69 and 53.02 second, respectively. The race was won by Rasheeme Griffith of Barbados in 51.64 second.
The Games continues today with Jamaica expected to extend their dominance and possibly surpass last year’s 86-medal haul.
