The fourth annual ‘Independence Classic’ track and field competition, hosted through the collaborative efforts of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) and the Guyana Overseas Based Sports Association (GOBSA), got off to a scintillating start on Saturday at the Leonora facility with athletics fans, parents and other supporters being treated to a series of heats, while the major events for the day were the 100-metre (100M) races for the younger categories of competitors.
In the Boys 9-11 100M dash, Jair Samuels took top spot with a time of 13.47s, with David Williams and Kevon Stephens following with times of 13.52s and 13.87s respectively.
A glimpse of Saturday’s track action
In the female version of the race, upcoming star Akeela Dover of Running Brave club clocked 13.70s for her first place win, while Athaleyha Hinckson also of Running Brave clocked 13.83s for second and Marissa Thomas of De Challengers placed third with a time of 14.23s.
The 12-14 division expectedly saw some faster and more competitive races. When the dust settled, David Higgins was first in the Boys race with a time of 11.60s, while Omar James and Shaquan Nelson followed with times of 11.73s and 11.83s respectively.
Winning time in the female race was 14.21s, which Running Brave’s Lakesha Wilson clocked as she crossed the line first, followed by Shanauda Low-Koon of Super Upcoming Runners in 14.32s, while Atalia Bookie of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was third with 14.35s.
CARIFTA Gold Medallist Matthew Gordon did not disappoint in his 15-17 1500M race. The youngster from the Hopetown Flames club in Berbice sealed the win in 4.18.40. His club mate Morvin Hamilton crossed the line second in 4.29.17. Running Brave’s Widdon Antigua was third in a time of 4.32.85.
Meanwhile, Running Brave’s Kissanna Glen took the female gold with a time of 5.10.80. Adriel Austin (Running Brave) and Kellannie of De Challengers booked second and third respectively with times of 5.19.59 and 5.21.26.
Over in the field events, it was proverbially another day at the office for Javelin record holder Leslain Baird of the Guyana Defence Force, who secured another win with a throw of 66.19M. The podium was completed by Tramaine Beckles with a throw of 57.56M and Timothy Sealey with 52.66M.
Another CARIFTA Gold medallist, Annisha Gibbons of Rurallites, shone brightly in copping gold in the 15-17 female javelin event with a throw of 35.39M. Tennisha Bruce of the University of Guyana threw 12.00M for second place, while Shawnika Trotz of Upper Demerara Schools copped third with a throw of 16.03M.
More CARIFTA stars were on show in the 15-17 long jump, as keen competition between Running Brave athletes Keliza Smith and Princess Browne ended with the former bagging the gold medal. Smith jumped 5.76M for the win, while Browne, with a leap of 5.36 M, placed second. Shinana Liverpool of Upper Demerara Schools completed the top three with a jump of 5.04M.
Upper Demerara Schools’ Jahaziah Copeland, who continues to perfect her craft, took home another gold in the 15-17 discus event with a throw of 29.56M for the win. UG’s Tennisha Bruce placed second with a throw of 19.87M, while Shawnika Trotz missed out, owing to a foul.
The track and field action will continue today at the Leonora Track and Field Centre on the West Coast of Demerara.
