Jamaica finish Carifta hot

A championship which started with some difficulties ended in Jamaica's usual dominance as the 50th Carifta Games closed last night in Nassau, Bahamas.

Jamaica ended their three-day campaign atop the medal table, following difficulties with injuries to top contenders on the opening day as well as contesting chaos on the final day regarding the Under-20 boys' 4x100 metres title.

Yesterday's final session started with a protest of Jamaica's Under-20 boys 4x100 metres relay win on Sunday, citing that the Bahamas' opening leg runner, Zachary Evans, got an unfair advantage in the final, which was a recall after Evans was initially left in the blocks in the first attempt.

The Bahamas finished second to Jamaica, but a rerun was originally scheduled after the protest by Barbados. The other countries withdrew, and the rerun was cancelled with the results standing.

On the track, Alexis James defended her Under-20 hurdles title in a new games' record run of 13.06 seconds, with teammate Asharria Ulette second in 13.24, while Nya Browne of Barbados was third in 13.80.

Meanwhile, Kaheim Carby dominated the field in the Under-17 final with a championship-record performance, clocking 13.49 seconds. Carby led a Jamaican first and second finish, with Shakir Lewis getting silver in 14.20. Quinton Rolle of the Bahamas was third in 14.49.

Bryana Davidson defended her Under-17 hurdles title, clocking 13.31 seconds in another first and second finish, with Camoy Binger coming in second in 13.52

Davidson said that despite the difficult conditions, she was determined to retain her title.

"I am not meant for this, to run on the wet track, but I went out there, and I did my best and got the gold," Davidson said.

Demario Prince won the Under-20 title in 13.37 seconds, adding to his Under-20 long jump silver. Otto Laing of the Bahamas was second in 13.49, while Prince's teammate Shaquane Gordon was third in 13.54.

Prince said: "We are all unified, so we just came out here, and we got the job done."

Alikay Reynolds scored Jamaica's only gold medal in the 800 metres winning the Under-17 girls' title in 2:14.57 minutes, with Barbados securing silver and bronze through Ashlyn Simmons in 2:16.28 and Chanecia Brown in 2:16.8.

Delano Todd, with 1:57.44 minutes, got silver in the Under-17 boys' final. Jamaica swept the 4x400 metres relays to close the championships.

Jamaica's Roshawn Clarke was named the Austin Sealy Award winner for his 400 metres hurdles win.

Meanwhile, in the field, Jade Ann Dawkins added the Under-20 girls' long jump title to the triple jump crown she won earlier, with an effort of 6.14 metres.

Kobe Lawrence added the Under-20 boys' shot put title to the discus title with an effort of 18.55 metres, with Shaiquan Dunn finishing second with 15.24.

Under-20 indoor triple jump world record holder Jaydon Hibbert retained the Carifta title, while Dionjah Shaw recovered from three consecutive foul attempts to defend the Under-17 discus title with 44.37.