Bahamas enjoy success in the field at Carifta

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

THE BAHAMAS began the 52nd CARIFTA Games in dominant fashion by claiming two gold and two silver medals in the opening session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium yesterday.

Competing in the under-17 boys’ javelin, Ahkeel Williams grabbed gold with his final throw measured at 57.51 metres.

Up until that point, he had found himself out of medal contention, with his previous best of 53.11 metres, which he threw with his first attempt, only good enough for fourth place.

His compatriot, Wyatt Cartwright, who had been leading up until that point, finished in second position with a throw of 55.74, while Jasano Henderson of St Kitts and Nevis claimed bronze with his effort of 54.36 metres.

The Bahamas also claimed the top two spots in the under-20 girls’ javelin courtesy of Taysha Stubbs, who blew away the field with her second throw of 50.03 metres, while Dior-Rae Scott was second best with her throw of 45.61 metres.

Curacao’s Angely Curiel (40.08) metres took home bronze.

Meanwhile, powerhouses Jamaica claimed their first gold medal when Sackoya Palmer edged Shania Mottley of Barbados to win the under-17 girls’ high jump.

Both jumpers cleared 1.71 metres, but Palmer was adjudged the winner on countback.

Destinee Cenac of St Lucia finished in third place with her leap of 1.68 metres, the same as Alexandria Komolafe of The Bahamas.

Gabriella Linton gave the Cayman Islands contingent reason to smile when she comfortably won the under-17 girls’ shot put with a throw of 14.07 metres.

She was the only thrower to cross the 14-metre mark, with Jaime-Lee Tulloch of Jamaica (13.02) and Ranique Richards of Antigua and Barbuda (12.57) finishing second and third respectively.