KINGSTON, Jamaica — Defending champions Calabar made a positive start in their hunt for an eight-consecutive title as long jumpers Jordan Turner and Luke Brown produced a one-two finish in the first final of the 109th ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’and Girls’ Athletic Championships underway at the National Stadium.

Turner was predicted for the title after finishing second last year with a leap of 7.23m, and he justified favourite seeding with a winning leap today of 7.47m. He finished ahead of his teammate Brown, who struggled to find form before producing a big 7.45m on his final attempt to secure maximum 16 points for the Red Hills Road school.

Calabar’s perennial rival Kingston College, who are hunting their 32nd Champs title and first in 10 years, secured 11 points through Jaheim Cox (7.17m) and Bouwajie Nkrumie (7.01m).

The bullfight is expected to continue later today in the boys’ Class One long jump where KC holds heavy favourite Wayne Pinnock and Shaquille Lowe with Lamar Reid carrying Calabar’s medal hopes. Jamaica College also boast medal prospect Alexander Thompson in the event.

Sherdon Cowan