GPL power outage, rain put a damper on exciting AP Invitational
By Jemima Holmes
What would have been a great end to yet another stellar Aliann Pompey International Invitational meet was plagued by one of Guyana’s most renowned pests, ‘blackout’.
Trinidad’s Kamairi Durant copped the women’s sprint double
It was the penultimate lap of the men’s 3000M invitational race, the competition was stiff and a clear winner could not be made out as yet. Just when the race began to heat up, the lights at the Leonora Track and Field Centre died, much to the dismay of the exuberant crowd.
Those on the track, however, did not take this as the unceremonious end to a thrilling race, but instead persevered in the vast darkness that blanketed the track and field facility. Under the twinkle of cellular phone lights and torches, Odwin Tudor made a late surge to cross the line before distance specialist Winston Missigher, who had to settle for second place. Cleveland Thomas was the third place finisher.
Stumbling in the dark! Winston Missigher stumbled on the line as Odwin Tudor took a win in the blackout-affected 3000M race
In other exciting races for the day, Ghanian sprinter Joseph Amoah did just what he travelled to Guyana for, and took gold in the men’s 100m race (10.02s). Guyanese Emanuel Archibald (10.33s) and Winston George (10.40s) completed the podium.
George later had his time to shine in the 200m race, wherein he dominated the competition. The Guyanese crossed the line in 20.75s, ahead of Daniel Williams (21.10s) and Loneil Marks (21.20s).
Overseas-based Guyanese Arinze Chance had his moment in the men’s 400m race, when a close finish resulted in a win for Chance (46.14s). Trinidad and Tobago’s Deon Lendore (46.17s) was just milliseconds behind Chance, while Brian Roman finished third (48.53s).
The male 800m race saw Devaun Barrington coming from behind to close a large gap and eventually take first place in 1.50.95. Anfernee Headecker (1.52.40) could not catch Barrington in the final 50m, and had to settle for second place. Samuel Lynch crossed the line third in 1.55.13.
The podium finishers were the same for the female 100m and 200m races, where Trinidad’s Kamairi Durant copped gold in both races. On both occasions, Reyare Thomas and Jasmine Abrams finished second and third respectively.
Guyanese Olympian Aliyah Abrams dominated the women’s 400m, clocking a time of 52.16s. Candice McLeod (52.28s) and Kineke Alexander (55.04s) finished in second and third respectively.
An all-Guyanese women’s 800m race saw Joanna Archer emerging victor in 2.13.01, while Aliyah Moore (2.15.31) and Kissana Glen (2.16.00) completed the podium.
Indian national Thingalay Siddhanth took gold in the men’s 110m hurdle with a time of 13.57s, while Jamaican Rushell Clayton won the women’s 400m hurdle in 55.25s.
