Clayton twins gleeful after 1-2 Carifta finish
Tina and Tia Clayton did not disappoint in the penultimate race on day one of the Carifta Games at the National Stadium as they finished first and second, respectively, in the Under-20 Girls’ 100-metre final to win gold and silver for Jamaica.
The twins have been running together for years and have dominated many athletics events, and did so again Saturday night.
Tina won the gold medal in an impressive 11.22 seconds, with Tia landing silver with an 11.30 clocking. Shaniqua Bascombe of Trinidad and Tobago was third in 11.57s.
Despite it being her first Carifta Games and running in front of a local crowd, Tina said she felt no added pressure to perform.
“It’s my first Carifta Games. It’s a track where we compete mostly, so competing here is like competing at Champs or any other track meet.”
She said that, while she continues to struggle with her start, the latter part of her was race was fairly well executed.
“It wasn’t one of my best execution, but I executed right. My start always throws me off in the race, but the rest of the race was well executed and so I think I did fairly well.”
Tia was also pleased with the outcome of the race — at the end they celebrated with their mother, who was at the venue to witness her daughters win medals for Jamaica.
“I was very pleased that I finished the race injury free, and I am happy with the time that I ran,” Tia said.
The twins are expected to be part of the 4x100m quartet that will not only be challenging for the gold medal, but also the meet record.
— Dwayne Richards