media_artricles :: 2016

Horsford again!

Tyriq Horsford gave Trinidad and Tobago a golden start at the 45th Carifta Games, here in St George's, Grenada, yesterday.

The overwhelming favourite to retain the Boys Under-18 javelin title, Horsford more than lived up to expectations, striking gold with a massive 73.00 metres throw. The big effort was an improvement on the 70.73m Carifta record he had established in St Kitts and Nevis last year, as well as a new personal best.

Horsford, though, had an even loftier goal ahead of the competition.

"I was hoping to go over 75 metres," he told the Express. "Unfortunately I didn't get that, but I thank God for 73. For the rest of the season I'm hoping to go over the 75-metre mark, and pass my subjects."

The 16-year-old athlete is already looking ahead to the 2017 Carifta Games in Curacao, and the prospect of completing a hat-trick of victories.

"Hopefully I'll achieve over 80 metres. Long-term, I want to go to the Olympics and give it my best shot."

Dominica's Keyon Burton landed the spear 64.87m to finish a distant second, while third spot went to Grenadian Adrian Thomas (60.97m).

There was a podium finish too for T&T's Ianna Roach in the Girls Under-18 shot put. Roach made her Carifta debut a memorable one, throwing the iron ball 14.49m to seize silver.

"It was a good competition but nerve-racking, it being the first time. I'm satisfied to be on the podium, but it was not my personal best so I have mixed emotions."

Roach threw a personal best 15.62m at a development meet in T&T, in January. Had she reproduced that effort at the National Athletics Stadium yesterday, the outcome would have been victory. As it turned out, Cayman Islands athlete Lacee Barnes was golden at 14.90m. Bronze, meanwhile, was bagged by Jamaican Aiko Jones (14.32m).

Roach, who picked up the shot put just five months ago, heaped praises on her coach, Kerron Browne.

"I have a really good coach. He's very supportive of me and helps me develop in all the areas I need to compete."

Roach also credited 2015 Pan Am Games women's shot put champion Cleopatra Borel.

"Wow. She trains where I train and she's a really good influence. She's always motivating me and helping me to become better at the sport."

Late yesterday, T&T's Chelsea James threw 13.66m to claim bronze in the Girls Under-20 shot put. Jamaicans Janell Fullerton (14.52m) and Sahjay Stevens (13.74m) earned gold and silver, respectively.

After press time, last night, Khalifa St Fort faced the starter in the Girls Under-20 100 metres final. The US-based sprinter won heat one in 11.39 seconds to lead all qualifiers into the championship race. The other T&T entrant, Sarah Wollaston was eliminated after finishing sixth in heat two in a wind-assisted 12.20.
T&T also featured in the Boys Under-18 century final. Adell Colthrust secured his lane with victory in the fourth and final qualifying heat in a windy 10.68 seconds. He progressed as the fastest qualifier. Another T&T sprinter, Tyrell Edwards was second in heat two in 10.94—not fast enough to advance as a "fastest loser".

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