FORT-de-FRANCE – All eyes will be on the sprints today when the 2014 CARIFTA Games, one of the most eagerly anticipated athletics meets, gets underway at the Stade Municipal Pierre Aliker.
But Akela Jones prides herself on delivering Barbados’ first gold medal each year; and nothing less should be expected from the defending champion in the Under-20 Girls’ long jump.
It is also her farewell to the Games and she will be going out with a bang, no doubt.
Still, everyone will be looking to see what sprinters Mario Burke and Levi Cadogan will produce.
Cadogan dominated at home all season, but he will face a strong test among the Under-20 Boys.
After fading over the final 30 metres last year, he will have a point to prove, but will have to dig deeper than 10.3 seconds.
Burke’s best this season is 10.50; done twice. Reports indicate he is fit after pulling up at inter-school sports.
His competition in the Under-18 division will come from Jamaicans Raheem Chambers, who has clocked 10.28 and 10.29 this season, and either Chad Walker (10.42) or Jhevaughn Matherson with 10.37.
Jebarrie Cumberbatch, with 10.80, should expect to find the going tough.
In the Under-18 Girls’ division, Barbadian Tristan Evelyn will be looking to get among the medals after a personal best 11.87 seconds this year. Asha Cave’s 12 seconds flat puts her on the outside and her fitness will also be tested as she also was injured at inter-school sports.
Jamaican Kimone Shaw has 11.55 seconds this year, while teammates Shanice Reid (11.72) and Natalliah Whyte (11.80 ) are all in good form.
Pundits also can’t count out Nelda Huggins of the British Virgin Islands, last year’s Under-17 champion, who has a personal best of 11.77.
Meanwhile, Sada Williams represents Barbados’ best hope in the 400 metres.
This exciting sprint talent comes into the Games with a personal best 54.04 and should be in a straight battle with Jamaica’s Tiffany James who has a personal best 53.76. Tiana Bowen has been steadily improving and can’t be counted out.
It will be much tougher for Ramarco Thompson. His 48.34 should be good to qualify for the final, but he will face stiff competition.
World Youth champion Martin Manley of Jamaica has a 46.51 this season – as well as a personal best 45-point – while two other sprinters also have 47-second clockings.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Machel Cedenio is the favourite to repeat as Under-20 champion.
The official start lists were not available up to press time, but also due to compete today are the Marshall twins, Akeem and Romario in the Under-18 Boys’ 1 500 metres as well as Joshua Hunte and Dario Grandison in the Under-20 division.