Gibbons claims gold for Guyana

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands,  CMC – Guyana’s Anisha Gibbons and Anthaya Charlton of the Bahamas both copped gold in the morning session of the 48th CARIFTA Games here yesterday.

Competing in the girls under-17 javelin final, Gibbons’ fourth throw of 40.34 metres was enough for her to secure gold, with Barbados’ Vivica Addison placing second with a throw of 39.70 metres and homegirl Rachell Pacal third in 35.50.

In the other lone final of the morning session, Charlton leapt to the top of the podium in the girls under-17 long jump with an effort that was measured at 5.81 metres.

Anne-Sophie Tassius of Guadelope copped silver with a jump of 5.74 metres and Jamaica’s Paula-Ann Chambers took the bronze medal with a leap of 5.62 metres, just ahead of her teammate Kay-Lagay Clarke (5.50 metres).

Favourite in the girls under-20 200 metres, Brianna Williams of Jamaica comfortably eased through the preliminary round, posting the fastest time of 23.38 seconds.

Running in the third heat, the Bahamas’ Jaida Knowles was second fastest with a time of 23.44 seconds, to also automatically qualify for the next round.

In the under-17 girls’ equivalent, Jamaica’s Brianna Lyston clocked 23.57 to record the fastest qualifying time.

Among the boys, Xavier Nairne of Jamaica was the fastest among the senior boys in qualifying with a time of 20.81 seconds, while his younger teammate Richard Nelson was the fastest among the under-17’s.

Nelson’s time of 21.71 was only slightly better than Grenada’s Nazzio John who was timed at 21.72 in winning the second heat.