JAMAICA’S Shericka Christie and Courtney Williams won the respective boys’ octathlon and girls’ heptathlon events at last weekend’s 50th Carifta Games at Thomas A Robinson Stadium in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Williams, who was fourth in the decathlon at the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium the previous weekend, tallied 5253 points to beat The Bahamas’ Levar Deveaux (5197) by a scant margin.

Christie, who won the heptathlon at the Boys’ and Girls’ Championships with 4868 points, improved on her score, amassing 5007 in The Bahamas, ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s Gianna Paul’s (4594) who improved on her third place from last year when she scored (4245).

Williams and Deveaux were tied on 2667 points after the first four events, but the Jamaican just edged the Bahamian for the gold medal after finishing ahead of him in the 1500m on Sunday.

Williams, who led by a mere two points (1971 to 1969) after the penultimate event — the javelin throw — clocked 4:50.57 minutes to Deveaux’s 4:59.79.

Bermuda’s Jauza James, who was sixth in his first international competition last year in Jamaica where he scored 3884 points, took the bronze medal last weekend with 4850 points.

Christie trailed Trinidad’s Paul by 126 points (1516 to 1642) after the first two events — the 100m hurdles and the high jump — but took the lead following the shot put during which she picked up 727 points for a 12.99m effort. Her opponent claimed 463 after throwing 8.98m.

Paul rallied to cut into Christie’s lead after the 200m and the long jump but the Jamaican slammed the door shut with a big effort in the javelin, throwing 37.36m for 617 points, and then picked up 606 points in the 800m to secure the gold medal.

Martinique’s Kaelie Sanogo was third with 4233 points.