Guyanese athletes arrived at Cheddi Jagan International Airport to a hero’s welcome, and loud applause from Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. and fans, after an impressive eight medals and a #5 ranking at the 50th CARIFTA Games in Nassau, Bahamas.
Min. Ramson Jr. said “welcome home champs” and commended the athletes on their stellar performance, during an exciting greeting, alongside head of the National Sports Commission, Steve Ninvalle, family, friends, and other sporting officials, who had gathered to show support for the competitors.
Despite a few setbacks, such as arriving at the games just before competition, and the government of Guyana stepping in to charter a flight to return the athletes home due to mismanagement, according to reports, the sportsmen and sportswomen, came home happy and proud after putting their heads down to the grind and aiming high for the win.
Tianna Springer started off the winning streak with a remarkable and exciting finish that wowed Guyanese around the world who watched the impressive performance. She won gold in the U-17 400-meter final, taking to the podium with the Golden Arrowhead flag raised high.
According to the Guyana Department of Public Information (DPI), the second gold medal saw the defending champion, Anisha Gibbons, throwing 47.96 meters in the Women’s U20 javelin, securing gold on her first try.
Javon Roberts also copped another gold medal with his remarkable finish at the U-17 800-meter race.
The silver medals for the land of the mighty Jaguar came again from Roberts in the Boys U17 1500-meter and from Attoya Harvey in the Girls 3000-meter open events, said the release.
Rounding out the eight-medal total were bronze medalist Trevon Hamer, picking up his win in the Boys U20 Triple Jump, Seon Booker in the Boys U20 1500-meter and Ezekiel Saul in the Boys U17 Triple Jump.
Additionally, Raekwon Noel dominated the CARIFTA Swimming Championships in Curacao, capturing five gold medals in the 1500-meter Freestyle, 400-meter Individual Medley, 800-meter Freestyle, 200-meter Butterfly, and the 400-metre Freestyle events, according to the DPI.
