By BRENT STUBBS
Chief Sports activities Editor
btubbs@tribunemedia.internet
Port-of-Spain: The Bahamas simply missed tying with arch-rivals Jamaica for probably the most gold medals of the competitors on day one of many 2025 CARIFTA Video games in Trinidad & Tobago.
However there was a lot trigger for celebration on Saturday with a gold medal record-breaking efficiency from Jade Ferguson and the blended 4×400 metre relay group of Emanual Adams, Makaiah Hitchman, Zion Miller, and Jamiah Nabbie closing out the competitors on the Hasely Crawford Stadium with one other thrilling gold medal feat.
Jamaica, the perennial kingpins, held a slight lead with seven gold, six silver, and 7 bronze for a complete of 20 medals with the Bahamas trailing with six gold, three silver, and two bronze for 11 medals. Host Trinidad & Tobago are sitting in third with three gold and a silver and bronze for his or her tally of 5.
Ferguson highlighted the day as she atoned for failing to clear a peak in her debut final yr by hovering 3.10m to erase the video games’ meet file of two.90m that was set final yr by Naya Jules. Jules needed to accept the silver with 3.00m. Guadeloupe’s Clementine Carias received the bronze with 2.90m. Bahamian Anaih Rolle was fifth with 2.70m.
“The occasion was very aggressive. I got here to this meet to belief in God and I simply did what I needed to do,” Ferguson stated. “I got here out with a file and a gold medal for my nation.”
The quartet of Adams, Hitchman, Miller, and Nabbie received the ultimate gold of the day, however the official time was unavailable.
Three of the group members have been elated with their achievements.
“I wish to thank my teammates for doing their greatest and pushing as a result of it was very popular and humid over right here,” Adams stated. “We simply needed to return out and do our greatest for our nation.”
Hitchman, in her debut, took the day trip to thank “God, my mates, my household and all our coaches for making it out right here at the moment.”
And Nabbie stated she was happy with herself and her teammates as a result of they’d tunnel imaginative and prescient they usually weren’t involved about anyone, however operating their race safe the win.
Bahamas Affiliation of Athletic Associations’ president Drumeco Archer was smiling from ear to ear as he addressed the media, noting that the “younger, vibrant” group of 78 athletes are performing as much as their expectations.
Keyezra Thomas, who missed out on a possibility to medal within the excessive soar, had an opportunity to clinch the seventh gold medal within the under-17 women’ 400m, however the grace received away from her down the house stretch as Tyra Penton of Antigua & Barbuda took the gold in 53.93. Thomas pale on the finish in 54.34. The bronze went to De’Cheynelkle Thomas of St Kitts and Nevis in 56.72.
“I went on the market and I did my greatest,” stated Thomas, who had plans of enhancing on her silver medal from final yr. “I needed the gold, however every little thing is in its time, so it is again to the drafting board, and to take a look at some new stuff and hope for the most effective subsequent time.”
Eagan NeelyEagan Neely, operating the race of his life blindsided out in lane eight, surged out entrance and coasted the rest of the race to grab the primary gold of the night session in 47.80. Diwayne Sharpe of Jamaica received the silver in 48.27 and Zachary Wall of Barbados took the bronze in 48.63.
“My race plan was quite simple. I used to be in lane eight and I did not have anyone to chase, so I needed to get out as quick as I may,” Neely stated. “It wasn’t what I did, however I received out quick and on the 50m, I noticed the Jamaican on the facet of me, however I stated ‘no, I wish to carry this gold again residence to the Bahamas.'”
Zion Miller wrapped up the ultimate particular person gold on the observe within the under-20 boys’ 400m in 46.51. Guyana’s Malachi Dwayne Austin received the silver in 46.56 and Trinidad & Tobago’s Da Shaun Lezama received the bronze in 47.43.
“I felt good about it. All of it got here the best way I needed it and I got here out with the gold,” stated Miller, who benefitted from his expertise final yr as a member of the Bahamas’ Olympic group in Paris, France. “I wish to thank God for giving me the chance to win it.”
Zion MillerBrion Ward fought proper to the tip and made certain that she was on the rostrum as she clinched the bronze within the under-17 women 100m in 11.78. Jady Emmanuel of St Kucia received the gold in 11.50 and Adora Campbell of Jamaica got here up with the silver in 11.67.
“I went on the market and I put my greatest foot ahead,” Ward stated. “It wasn’t my greatest, however I medaled like I stated I’d, in order that was the most effective a part of it.”
The opposite medal of the evening got here from Shatalya Dorsett with the bronze within the under-20 women’ 100m in a PR of 11.45. Jamaica’s Shanoya Douglas ran away with the gold in 11.26. Antigua & Barbuda’s Geolyna Dowdye claimed the silver in 11.43.
“I really feel good. This season wasn’t the most effective for me, so it was good for me to return right here and pull off a medal for my nation,” stated Dorsette, who hugged her mother on the end line for the help she gave her all of her life.
They added to the pair of gold and silver medals from Taysha Stubbs and Dior-Ray Scott within the under-20 women javelin within the morning session and from Ahkeel Williams and Wyatt Cartwright within the under-17 boys’ spear occasion.
Day two of the meet will get began at 9 am on Sunday. Hopefully The Bahamas will keep neck-and-neck with Jamaica.
