Three Barbadians qualify for 200m CARIFTA finals

Defending champion Jayden Green led an impressive list of 200m qualifiers as Barbados closed out the first session of day two on a high at the CARIFTA Athletic Championships at the Kirani James Stadium in Grenada.

US-based Green clocked 20.49 seconds to win his Under-20 Boys 200m heat and easily advance to Monday’s final. Speaking in the mixed zone following the race, Green said his season has been going well, and he is in good form. He thanked Barbadian fans for all the support the team has been receiving.

Jahkye Brewster was third in semifinal two in 21.13 seconds but did not advance to the final. 

Earlier, fresh from a fourth-place performance in Saturday night’s Under-20 Girls’ 100m final, Aniya Nurse reeled off another personal best performance to win her 200m semi in 23.36 seconds.

Also advancing to the 200m finals on Monday is Jalino Hamlett, who has received an outpouring of support from fans at the venue and online after a false start Saturday morning, which saw him being disqualified in the Under-17 Boys’ 400m semis. Hamlett, who was elated to qualify for the final, finished second in his semifinal in 21.46 seconds.

In one of the day’s early field event finals, Aaron Massiah leapt 7.12m to finish fourth in the Under-20 Boys’ Long Jump. Jazzair Best was 11th with a best leap of 6.79m.

Jahzaria Ward’s best effort of 27.89m in the Under-17 Girls’ Discus was good enough for ninth, while Tarrell Johnson-Rouse fell in semifinal two of the Under-20 Boys’ 400m hurdles and did not advance to the final.

In better news for Barbados, however, Rashad Gibson was third in semifinal one and advanced to the final.

Leemiah London (1:03.69) and T’nia Lashley (1:02.41) both qualified for the final of the Under-20 Girls 400m hurdles, while Taylor-Rai Wiggins clocked 25.48 seconds in her semifinal of the Under-17 Girls 200m and did not advance.

There was no change to the medal tally for Barbados or Saint Lucia after the morning session. On the opening day, Barbados won one gold, one silver and two bronze medals, while Saint Lucia won one gold, one silver and one bronze medal.

In the pool in Martinique, Barbados won seven gold, one silver and two bronze medals on the opening day of the CARIFTA Swimming Championships, with Saint Lucia picking up five medals, including three gold.

Meanwhile, during a post-session media briefing, officials revealed that a host venue for the 2027 edition of the games has not yet been selected, although at least three candidates have expressed interest.

(KH)