By Tamica Garnett
The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) put their calendar back on track yesterday when they successfully completed the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Athletics Day Championships at the Police Sports Club Ground.
Though early morning showers threatened to generate a cancellation, the officials were determined not to let another day go to waste and seized on the first change of weather to initiate a late start.
Consequently, athletes and officials collaboratively braved a slight drizzle and a water-soaked track to successfully carry out the feasible events scheduled on the programme.
The event opened with the 3000m boys’ Under-18 Walk Race where Nathaniel Giddings, vying against seven opponents, walked his way to first place in 19 minutes and 57.5 seconds.
He was followed by Akeem Ornh in second.
In the Open 2000m female Walk Race, Tandacia Burgess proved that walking was her thing, coming in first in 15 minutes and 15 seconds while Michola Adams tracked her into second place.
In the Under-16 2000m Walk Races Adama Roberts strode her way to victory in the girls’ class while Simeon Lloyd was the male winner.
Giddings took first place in the boys’ under-18 3000m event ahead of Trevon George and Devon Barrington respectively. However, it was not until the sprint events took off that the crowd gained some life as the suspense vibrated the atmosphere and the spectators cheered for their fellow colleagues.
In the 100m girls’ Under-18 CARIFTA Games athlete, Tiffany Carto, settled for second place after she could not keep up with the pace of Ruralities sprinter Deja Smartt.
The two put up a good race with a close finish but in the end Smartt emerged the better of the two.
Carto returned to cop first place in front of Elisha Griffith in the 400m, before retiring for the day.
In the boys’ 100m Under 18 category, Stephan James gained first place mere milliseconds before second place finisher Kevin Scott in a suspenseful race.
The two battled it out going neck and neck throughout the race leaving it impracticable for the onlookers to predict a winner, it was not until the last few yards that James gained a miniscule lead and this proved to be the only ingredient he needed to manufacture a victory. Gavin Fraser came in third place in both races.
The under-16 athletes were given their turn to showcase the fastest of the bunch in their 80m and 150m races.
Christopher Hyelekhan of North Georgetown Multilat-eral Secondary claimed top spot in the boys’ 80m. He was trailed by Yohance Hendricks of St. Joseph’s who was second and Stephein Kurt of Tutorial who placed third. Tevon Sertima from St. John’s College prevailed in the boys’ 150m fighting to the last against Ann’s Grove’s Calvin Belgrave.
Ashley Tasher of Bishops’ High proved to be the best of her clique in the girls’ 80m, while Shamane Daniels of Richard Ishmael dominated the girls’ 150m.
With time to spare by the conclusion of events an impromptu irregular 4×100 relay was implemented. The friendly race featured a mixture of gender but while the athletes were predominantly male, the second leg consisted of females. The GDF team proved that they were better than the rest by coming out on top.
Winners were awarded an IAAF certificate along with T-shirts as prizes.
The association’s next meet the Under-23 Games will officially launched today and is anticipated to take place on May 30 at the Public Service Commission’s Ground.
