Sprint sensation, Tianna Springer broke the South American Athletics U-20 Championships 400m meet record en route to adding another international gold medal to her resume’ yesterday.
Springer, 16, entered the history books in the quarter-mile event, with a winning personal best run of 53.30s out of lane four at the ongoing championships in Bogota, Colombia.
Her heroics yesterday enabled her to earn her second international gold medal just a few weeks after storming to the top of the podium during the CARIFTA Games in The Bahamas during the much publicized Easter weekend.
As customary, Springer, had her trademark late surge in the final 60m, turning on the jets to finish way ahead of fellow podium occupants, Camille De Oliveira (54.10s) of Brazil and Nahomy Velazquez (54.50s) of Colombia.
Her historic run, erased the previous meet record (53.44s) set by Brazil’s Barbara De Oliveira set in 2009.
Guyana’s Ezekiel Newton was also among the medals yesterday, finishing with a bronze in the blue riband 100m men’s event.
Newton, clocked 10.42s running out of lane one. Brazil’s Renan Gallina (10.01s) and Colombia’s Ronal Mosquera (10.08s) finished with the gold and silver medals.
The, team which is sponsored by the National Sports Commission will continue its quest for medals today.
The three-day event culminates tomorrow. Stabroek Sport will keep readers updated as events unfold.
