Hurdler Darius Joseph was in record-breaking form in copping triple gold medals and leading a number of athletes, who completed the double in their respective events at the National Gas Company (NGC) National Association for Athletic Administrations (NAAA) Juvenile Track and Field Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain.
Yesterday, Joseph of Eastonians raced to victory in the Boys Under-14 300 metres hurdles in a time of 43.90 bettering the previous record of 45.31, which was achieved by Cougars Brian Morris, last year.
This followed up his golden run in both the 100m and the 80m hurdles on Saturday. He clocked 12.21 to win the dash after taking the gold in the other event in 12.74 improving the previous meet record of 12.99. The Eastonian athlete also got success on the field placing second in the Boys U-14 shot put event with a 10.67m throw. Winning was Isaiah Gemon (Cougars) with a toss of 11.49m.
Another hurdler getting double gold was Natasha Fox of Point Fortin New Jets (PFNJ) in Girls U-14 300m hurdles in 47.24 yesterday and later in the Girls U-14 200m dash in 26.14. The day before she copped a silver medal in the Girls U-14 60m hurdles in 10.68 behind Memphis Pioneers’ Kayla Caesar, who won in 10.54.
Middle-distance runner Kyle Williams raced into the history books as well, dominating both the Boys U-12 400m, yesterday and the 80m on Saturday. The Burnley runner too broke the meet record in the one-lap event, surpassing the previous mark of 1:02.59 with his 1:02.20 run. Abilene Wildcats’ Antonio Smith, who followed Williams to the line, also was faster than the record in 1:02.57. Third was Ben Bannister of Mason Hall in 1:03.30.
In the Boys U-12 80m, Williams clocked 10.74 to cross first.
Sprinter Janika Jordan of Cougars was also among the double gold winners, winning the girls U-12 80m in 10.63 in a quick final to better the previous standard of 10.78. In fact the other top two finishers bettered the time as well with both Sierra Joseph of Simplex (10.662) and Janae De Gannes (10.670) of Zenith clocking 10.67. Jordan was also victorious in the U-12 150m in 21.07.
Jenna Marie Thomas of IG Fastlane joined the group of achievers after winning the Girls U-10 60m in 8.96 and the 80m in 11.77
Over on the field, Jacquil Adams shined in both the Boys U-14 javelin winning with a best toss of 32.52m and the high jump with a 1.40m leap. The Morvant Jets athlete also got bronze (9.54m) in the shot put.
Gianna Paul of DPAC also achieved two gold medals, reaching the top of the podium in the Girls U-12 high jump, leaping 1.25m to better the previous record of 1.22m. The day before she was also impressive in winning the Girls U-12 long jump, improving on the record of 3.90m on Saturday with a 4.04m leap. Second place in the long jump, Diamond Paul, also outdid the record with her best leap of 3.98m. Third was J’elisha Alexander of Jaguars with 1.13m.