The CARIFTA Games bound athletes yesterday showed up and showed out, recording scintillating performances at the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) ‘Super Champs’ staged at the National Track and Field Centre.
Standout sprinter, Keliza Smith, along with middle-distance maestro, Attoya Harvey and javelin ruler, Anisha Gibbons, had impressive showings prior to the Easter weekend CARIFTA Games in Jamaica by recording admirable personal best performances.
Smith, who has emphatically seized the reins as the best female sprinter locally, seems to be peaking at the perfect time, storming to victory in the blue riband 100m and 200m events with just the clock and gust giving her a challenge.
The 19-year-old Running Brave Athletic Club product blew away the field in the 100m in 11:44s, shattering her previous best of 11.68s to further boost her morale and confidence as she prepares for a stern test in the ‘Land of Wood and Water’ in two weeks’ time.
Smith’s dominance on the local track circuit continued in the half-lap event as she once again recorded a sprint double, powering across the line in 24.05s, just a shade above her personal best (24.03s) despite the negative wind.
The 17 year-old Gibbons, who bagged a gold medal in the U-17 javelin event when the last CARIFTA Games was staged in 2019 in The Cayman Islands, looks prime to return with hardware from Jamaica after throwing a career best attempt of 45.37m yesterday.
At the last Games, Rhema Otabor of the Bahamas won gold in 43.07m in the U20 category.
Gibbons’ Coach, Raymond Daw, said yesterday that climbing the top podium step is once again the aim of the super thrower.
“We are going for gold in Jamaica. Our aim is to bring back gold again. The hard work is done and now it’s time to seek the rewards.”
Also breaking personal records yesterday was Harvey in the 1500m. The 15-year-old, who will be the talk of the Games if she medals in all three events, has qualified for the 800m, the 1500m and the 3000m.
Harvey, who is enjoying sublime early season form, clocked 4:54.75s in the 1500m yesterday erasing her previous best of 4:54.85s.
Some of Guyana’s other representative at the 49th edition of the Games, Adriel Austin and Naris McPherson also made hay in the brilliant sunshine.
Austin won the 800m (2:16.59s) and McPherson won the 400m in 57.41s.
So far, nine athletes have made the qualifying standards for the CARIFTA Games which will be staged at the National Stadium in Kingston from April 16-18.
The ‘Super Champs’ marked their final meet prior to departure. The official names of the athletes and officials for the games is scheduled to be released to the media today.
