The National Senior Track and Field Championships got off to a flying start yesterday at the National Track and Field Center (NTFC) highlighted by the blue riband 100m events.
As expected, Emmanuel Archibald, who attends the University of the West Indies’ Mona Campus in Jamaica ran away with the men’s 100m title. Archibald, whose pet event is the long jump, ran an impressive 10.26 seconds ahead of Winston George (10.36) and Rupert Perry (10.45) of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
The men’s 100m final was peculiar, it started with Archibald leading before George and Perry overtook the lead, however, Archibald, who has a win against Jamaica’s Yohan Blake, exhibited his finishing prowess and accelerated ahead of George and Perry for the win.
The women’s 100m was won by Barbados based Jovanna Gustave in a decent 11.61 seconds. Gustave was chased to the line by Running Brave Athletics Club’s (RBAC) Kenisha Phillips (11.73) and Tonya Rawlins (12.02) of GDF.
Meanwhile, multiple CARIFTA Games gold medalist, Chantoba Bright of Upper Demerara had an off day in the field, losing the Long and High Jump events. University of Guyana’s (UG) Ruth Sanmoogan won the women’s Long Jump with a decent leap of 6.02m. Bright was second with 5.86m while Keliza Smith of RBAC was third with a distance of 5.59m.
The girls’ high jump was won by the lanky Natrena Hooper of the RBAC with a height of 1.75m; Bright was second with a height of 1.65 and Shantel Browne of Police Progressive Youth Club (PPYC) third with 1.60m. Bright will look to bounce back in her pet event, the triple jump today.
National record holder Archibald, who is looking to boost his rankings in the Long Jump to ensure his qualification at the World Championships also had an off day while disturbing the sand.
Archibald could not replicate his heroics in the 100m and fell short to Damon Williams of GDF in the event yesterday. Unofficially, Williams recorded 7.51m while Archibald who holds the 8.12m national record, registered 7.39m.
Mark Jhalu of GDF won the men’s high jump with 2.02m, Williams was second with 1.95m and Isaiah Lewis of PPYC third with 1.85.
Anfernee Headecker won the men’s 1500m in 4m 03s and Aaliyah Moore won the women’s 1500m in 4m 56s.
The 800m and 200m finals are scheduled to highlight day two today at the NTFC. Tickets cost $300 to enter the venue.
