Akira Malaver lit up the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, Port-of-Spain on the second day of the Richards/Cedenio/Borel South Central Regional Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships on Thursday.
The Holy Faith Convent-Penal sprint lass sped under the qualifying time for the women’s 200 metres for this year’s World Under 20 Track and Field Championships in Lima, Peru in August. The Palmiste resident stopped the clock in 24.23 seconds (+1.9) in the sixth and final section of the girls’ Under-17 event to go under the 24.35 World time. However, Malaver’s impressive clocking may not earn her a ticket to Peru as the Hasely Crawford Stadium is uncertified as at December 31, 2023. A similar fate met Janae De Gannes who cleared the World U-20 women’s long jump standard of 6.20, landing at 6.25m at the National Association Athletics Administrations (NAAA) Development Meet One at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on January 7. Like Malaver, De Gannes’ effort would not qualify her to go to Peru.
Malaver, the 2023 North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) U-18 4x100m gold medallist was exhausted after her effort as she was embraced by her parents who were present in the stands. The fourth-form student also bettered the Carifta standard of 24.89 and the qualifying time (25.20) to compete at the National Secondary Schools Championships from February 20-21.
With her victory, Malaver completed an impressive sprint, taking the girls U-17 400m on Wednesday in 56.08 to zip under the 58.00 National Finals and 57.54 Carifta barriers.
Omari Brown of Carapichaima West captured three gold medals. Brown won the boys U-17 110m hurdles on Wednesday in 14.62, to better the National Finals (16.00) and Carifta marks (14.78). The second-former then returned yesterday to take the long jump (6.66m) and the 400m hurdles (1:11.11). He sailed over the Carifta (6.34m) and National Finals (5.90m) barriers. Brown improved on his previous best of 6.39 achieved on January 7. However, in his 400m hurdles, he was short of the National Finals (1:00.00) and Carifta (56.90) asking time. Timothy Hamilton of Naparima College also booked his place in the National final in the long jump with a 6.00m effort.
Kadeem Chinapoo of St Benedict’s also completed a stellar sprint double, taking the boys U-17 100m on the first day in 10.77 easily surpassing the Carifta (11.03) and National Finals (11.45). The 2023 NACAC U-18 boys 4x100m gold medallist equalled his 100m personal best (pb) but in the 200m on the second day, he powered to victory in pb of 22.06. Justin Dowridge of Gasparillo Secondary was second to Chinapoo in both sprint events, crossing the line in 11.19 and 23.24, respectively.
Chinapoo’s elder brother Hakeem was among several double winners at the meet. Hakeem landed the boys 17 and over 200m in 21.56, missing the Carifta boys U-20 standard of 21.55, by 0.01 seconds. However, he led the top three finishers under the 22.10 National Finals time. Presentation San Fernando pair Jayden Clement (21.65) and Mikhail Byer (21.94) ensured their lanes in the National Finals. Hakeem took the one-lap title on Wednesday.
Diamond Paul (Point Fortin West Secondary) defended her girls 17 and over long jump and 400m titles on Wednesday but was denied a triple defence as she could only finish fifth in the 200m behind the winner Sierra Joseph of Pleasantville Secondary, Kaziah Peters (Preysal Sec), Destinee Thomas of Vessigny Sec and 100m hurdles gold medallist Kewes Gomes (Holy Faith Convent-Couva).
Mahkaya Mahon of Presentation College, San Fernando won the boys 17 and over 800m/1,500m distance double to add to his twin triumphs at the U-17 last year. His schoolmate Sheni St Hillaire held onto the Boys’ Open 5,000m gold medal for another year.
Other double champions were Leah Archibald (Holy Faith Penal) in the girls U-15 100m/200m, Zane Martin (Naparma Boys) – Boys U-15 100m/long jump, Charisi Charles (San Fernando Central Sec) – U-15 200m/400m, Durliana Rouse (Holy Name Convent-Pt. Fortin) – Girls U-17 100m hurdles/400m hurdles, JeNeice Alleyne (Mayaro Sec) – Girls U-17 shot put/javelin. Anicia Nicholas (Cunupia Sec) – Girls 17 and Over 800m/1,500m, Mc Kale Mohammed (St Benedict’s) – Boys 17 and over 100m/long jump,
Up to press time the finals points and medal standings were not available.
The Richards/Cedenio/Borel South Regional Champs is one of three qualifying meets for students seeking to compete in the National Secondary Schools Championships.
The Walcott/Lendore/North Regionals are carded for January 30-31 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium while the Stewart/Quow/Baptiste Tobago Regionals are set for the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet is scheduled for February 7-8.
