GrAND CAYMAN — Jamaica started the defence of the CARIFTA Track and Field Championships in good form, winning seven medals– four gold and three silver — in the opening session this morning at the Truman Bodden Complex in Grand Cayman.

Male team captain Kai Chang, the IAAF World Under 20 champion, led the way by winning the Under-20 boys discus throw with a mark of 59.36m to upgrade from the silver medal he won last year.

Ralford Mullings took the silver medal with 54.91m ahead of the twins Djimon Gumbs — 54.76m and Diamnate Gumbs — 52.85m of the British Virgin Islands.

Marie Forbes and Kimone Reid also had a first and second finish in the Under 20 girls discus throw for Jamaica.

Forbes threw 47.63m for the gold while Reid took silver with 44.60m.

Christopher Young won the Under 19 boys shot put with 16.00m and Kobe Lawrence was second with 15.86m.

Britannia Johnson failed to make a legal mark in the Under 17 girls shot put.

Jamaica also won gold medals in both girls high jump today. Janique Burgher won the Under 20 gold ahead of teammate Daniela Aglin, both clearing 1.77m.

Annishka McDonald had gotten the medal rush under way when she won the Under 17 high jump with 1.74m while teammate Malaika Cunningham was fourth with 1.65m.

More medals are expected in the 400m and 100m, in the second session, after this morning’s semi-finals heats.

Seven Jamaicans advanced to the four 100m finals as only 14 year-old Carletta Bernard failed to advance in the Under 17 section after she had a false start in her heat.

Glacian Loutin will be the only Jamaican in the final while gold medal favourite Briana Williams and Kemba Nelson both qualified in the Under 20 section.

Bouwajhie Nkrumie and Adrian Kerr are the Jamaicans in the men’s Under 17 finals with Oblique Seville and Ryiem Robertson, the winner at the CARIFTA trials are in the men’s Under 20 final.

Paul Reid