Star sprinter, Keliza Smith, continued her amazing record-breaking run at this year’s National Swimming, Cycling, and Track and Field Championships yesterday.
A day after setting a new ‘Nationals’ record in the marquee 100 metres race, the standout athlete returned to the National Track and Field Centre and once again demolished her competitors, the clock and the previous record holder in the 200m race.
On the penultimate day of the 60th edition of the meet, Smith of District 3 (West Demerara) smashed the half lap Girls U-20 record en route to completing her sprint double.
Over the duration of the meet, Smith has shone the brightest among the teen track stars of the 592. She has established herself as the fastest local student-athletes of all time.
Blasting out of lane four yesterday, the 19-year-old took control of the race straight out the drive phase. She navigated the bend expertly and barrelled down the straights all alone.
Smith went on to clock 24.58 seconds to erase Toyan Raymond’s half decade record of 25.29s.
New Amsterdam/Canje’s Keijana Payne (27.89s) and South Georgetown’s Tyiesha Taylor (28.09s) finished second and third about 20 meters behind in another dominant showing by Smith who is all but assured to earn the female champion athlete award.
The versatile sportswoman who disturbed the sand in 5.60 metres to win the Girls U-20 long jump event on Tuesday, will be aiming to achieve her fourth individual gold medal of this year’s
championship when she competes in the 400 metres final tonight.
She was part of District Three’s gold medal run in the Girls Open 4×400 metres final last night.
Another record breaker in the 200 metres was Tianna Springer of East Georgetown who clocked an eye popping 24.72s to easily win the Girl U-16 race, shattering the previous mark of 24.97s set in 2017 by Deshanna Skeete who is now on a full scholarship in the USA.
The student of North Georgetown Secondary has been making hay in the brilliant sunshine. She won the gold in the 800 metres on Wednesday and is poised to win the 400 metres finals today.
Springer’s District mate, Malachi Austin, also placed his name in the record books in the Boy’s U-16 200 metres event. Austin powered to an statement win in a blistering 22.50s obliterating the previous mark of 22.91 set by Osa Blair in 2018.
Meanwhile, yesterday, Smith’s District mates, Attoya Harvey and Javon Roberts, all recorded emphatic wins, soloing to victory in their respective 1500 metres races.
The middle distance maestros, Harvey and Roberts, medalists at this year’s CARIFTA Games in Jamaica, provided a reminder of their pedigree a day after running against the clock in their 800 metres races.
Today, the curtains will come down on the event which has seen several records tumble after being risen from the ashes of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the first time since 2019, the coveted Champions’ trophy will be presented to the winning District.
Meanwhile, up to press time, District 10 (Upper Demerara/Kwakwani) leads the Track and Field segment of the event on 422.5 points. They are followed by District 3 (West Demerara) on 362 points and District 4 (East Coast Demerara) on 309.5 points.
District 10 which won the cycling segment of the event, is chasing its 19th overall title. The individual 400 metres, 3000 metres, 5000 metres, the triple jump, the relays and the crowning of this year’s champs, are set to be the day’s highlights. Action starts at 10:00 hours.
