‘I wanted something to remind I was here’ - Austin Sealy Award winner notes motivation for breaking long-standing 200m record

SHANOYA Douglas was in imperious form on yesterday's third and final day of Carifta Games competition at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium in St George's, Grenada, as she demolished Bahamian Shaunae Miller's 2013 record of 22.77, winning the girls' Under-20 200m in a lifetime best 22.11 seconds.

The outstanding Douglas, who had earlier won the 100m, made her intentions clear from the start, exploding out of the blocks and coming off the curve with a commanding lead, before powering away for a convincing victory.

Douglas exceptional sprint double earned her the Austin Sealy Award, the honour presented to the meet's top performer. It is named after the founder of the Carifta Games.

She had won the 100m in 11.13 seconds.

Douglas earned a third gold medal after anchoring the girls' Under-20 4x100m relay team to victory.

Countrywoman Natrice East picked up her second silver, finishing second in the 200m in 23.39, with Haiti's Breana Barnett third in 23.68.

Douglas' winning time was a new world lead, a national junior record, and the joint third fastest ever at this level, tying with the United States' Allyson Felix.

DETERMINED

"I came into the race very determined, as I wanted to get out of the blocks as fast as possible and execute as best as I could, and I did that," Douglas said in an interview after the finish.

"This was my last Carifta and I really wanted the record to leave something to remind myself that I was here. Thanks to God, my coach, family and supporters for making this possible," she said.

It was a double for Jamaica in the Under-20 half-lap event as Sanjaye Seymore made amends for his 100m disqualification. Seymour rallied strongly to overhaul Bermuda's Miles Outerbridge to win in 20.63. Outerbridge took silver in 20.67, with Eagan Neely of The Bahamas third in 20.73.

Jamaica were shut out of the medals in the girls' Under-17 200m, with Shayon Smith sixth in 24.92 and Danella Clarke eighth in 25.25. Mario Ross secured silver in the boys' Under-17 event, finishing second in 21.00 behind The Bahamas' Emille Higgins (20.94), while Zion Bertrand was third in 21.54.

Jamaica's sprint hurdlers were on fire, capturing all four finals, including two quinellas. Tashana Godfrey led the charge, winning the girls' Under-17 100m hurdles in a personal best 13.27 ahead of compatriot Macaila Gordon (13.39) and Trinidad and Tobago's Chekia Joseph (13.96).

Defending champion Tiana Marshall successfully retained her girls' Under-20 100m hurdles title in 13.43. Jenna-Marie Thomas of Trinidad and Tobago was second in 13.93, with Sofia Sundell of the US Virgin Islands third in 13.94. Jamaica's Akeelah Bell finished fifth after clipping a hurdle.

RECORD RUN

Mark Daniel Allen delivered a record run in the boys' Under-17 110m hurdles, clocking a personal best 13.25 to break the previous mark of 13.49 set by Kaheim Cardy in 2023. Jamaica's Brandon Barrett also went under the old record, finishing second in 13.47.

Robert Miller completed the hurdles sweep, winning the boys' Under-20 110m hurdles in a wind-aided 13.43 (+2.5 m/s). Jacario Wilson of The Bahamas was second in 13.55, while Jamaica's Romario Jibbison took bronze in 13.73.

In the 800m events, Markland Williams earned silver in the boys' Under-17 race in 1:53.60 behind St Maarten's Nahjah Wyatt (1:53.26). Dahlilah Fairweather secured bronze in the girls' Under-20 in 2:11.15, while Joel Morgan added another bronze in the boys' Under-20, in 1:51.72.

In the field, Able Mills captured her second gold of the Championships, winning the girls' Under-20 discus with a personal best 53.85m. Marla Kay Lampart secured silver with 48.96m. Zavien Bernard also struck gold in the girls' Under-20 high jump with 1.78m.

Other medals came from Joseph Salmon, who took silver in the boys' Under-20 shot put with 18.17m, and Stefanco Henry, who secured silver in the girls' Under-17 triple jump with 11.51m.