Having conquered the Caribbean, Akela Jones is taking her talents to France.
The CARIFTA Games Under-17 Girls’ long jump champion claimed the national title with a leap of 6.16 metres yesterday, the final day of the 2011 Barbados National Track and Field Championships at the National Stadium.
It came on the very last attempt, breaking the National Championships record of 6.01 metres set by Ayesha Maycock in 2001.
Jones, 16, cemented her place with the eight other Barbadians who have qualified for the World Youth Championships in Lille, France, July 6 to10. She has also qualified for the Central American and Caribbean Senior Championships in Puerto Rico and the Pan Am Juniors in Miramar, Florida, all next month.
Here, lensman Kenmore Bynoe captures Jones in full flight during the long jump. (SAT)
