Carifta team bags three silver, two bronze medals

Guyana’s 12-member team finished with three silver and two bronze medals at the conclusion of the 45th CARIFTA Games which was held over the Easter weekend in St. George’s, Grenada.

Track and field prodigy of Linden, Chantoba Bright was the most successful athlete after leaping to two silver medals in the Girls U-18 long and triple jump events.

Bright recorded 5.94m in the long jump which was won by Jamaica’s Britney Anderson with a leap of 6.02m. Bright again made the podium after finishing behind Bahamas’ Charisma Taylor (12.53m) in the triple jump with a leap of 12.39m.

Natricia Hooper (12.19m) snared Guyana’s other silver in the Girls U-20 triple jump event behind Guadeloupe’s Yanis David (13.13m) who was best among the finalists.

Andrea Foster completed the podium in the Girls U-20 800 and 1500m races to bring Guyana’s medal tally to five.

As customary, Jamaica (86) finished at the top of the medal table with 42 athletes earning gold, 28 silver and 16 bronze.

Bahamas and Barbados were second and third on the table with 34 and 20 medals in total respectively.

Note: Athletes from17 territories medaled the Games. Guyana’s small medal haul was good enough for 10th on the table.

According to a release sent out by the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG), the athletes and officials are scheduled to return today at 7:30am.

The annual track and field meet has given rise to big stars such as Usain Bolt and fellow world and Olympic champions Veronica Campbell-Brown, Kim Collins and Pauline Davis-Thompson. (Emmerson Campbell)