Nattaly Lindo delivered a standout performance for T&T at the Millrose Games, securing a prestigious second-place finish in the women’s weight throw. The event, held over the weekend (January 30 - February 1) at the Armory Track & Field Centre in New York, saw T&T athletes excel on the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold stage.
Lindo’s impressive heave of 19.02 metres earned her the silver medal, placing her firmly among the elite in the discipline. She finished as the only athlete besides gold medallist Elisia Lancaster to cross the 19m mark. Joining her in the top five was compatriot Lalenii Grant, who secured fifth place with a best effort of 17.13m.
On the track, the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) and National Association of Athletic Administrations of T&T (NAAATT) “Sportswoman of the Year” Leah Bertrand showcased her speed in a stacked women’s 60m final, sprinting to a fifth-place finish in a season-best time of 7.31 seconds. In a race decided by fractions of a second, Bertrand held her own against global stars like Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, who won in a time of 7.10 and second-placed USA’s Jacious Sears (7.12). In third was American Mariah Maxwell in 7.26. Also finishing ahead of Bertrand in fourth place was Kemba Nelson of Jamaica with a season’s best 7.28. Liranyi Alonso of the Dominican Republic finished sixth in 7.32.
The Caribbean region continued its traditional dominance in the short sprints and hurdles, with Jamaica and the Bahamas claiming the lion’s share of the podium spots.
In the women’s 60m hurdles, Jamaica’s Danielle Williams took the top spot in a blistering 7.90, narrowly edging out Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas (7.96). Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds followed closely in fourth (8.04 SB), while Oneka Wilson (JAM) and Denisha Cartwright (BAH) rounded out the regional presence in the final in sixth and seventh, respectively. St Lucia was also represented in the race by Aasia Laurencin, who clocked 8.30 for ninth spot.
The men’s events saw equal success for Jamaica, as Ackeem Blake won the 60m in 6.55. He was followed closely by Puerto Rico’s Eloy Benitez, who secured silver in 6.60, while Puerto Rican Miles Lewis (6.655) and Jamaican Bryan Levell (6.658) finished in a virtual dead heat in 6.66 for respective fourth and fifth.
In the men’s shot put, Rajindra Campbell topped with a World Leading throw of 21.77m, defeating American Joe Kovacs (21.21m) to take the gold.
The Caribbean’s reach extended into the 1,000m, where Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin opened her season with a season’s best 2:39.55 performance for an eighth-place finish.
The Caribbean athletes are fine-tuning their form ahead of the World Athletics Indoor Championships.
