BVI athletes showcased exceptional performances on both local and international stages over the weekend, with three athletes securing spots in the 2025 CARIFTA Games and others breaking records at the collegiate level.
Savianna Joseph, Othniel Gillings, and Kijana Callwood became the first athletes from Team BVI to qualify for the highly anticipated CARIFTA Games, set for April in Trinidad and Tobago.
Joseph, the 2022 CARIFTA Under-17 gold medallist, achieved her qualification at the Radd Sports College Invitational in Florida on Friday. She delivered an impressive 12.11-metre throw in the shot put to clinch first place.
On the local front, during the Dag Samuels Development Meet #2 on Saturday, Gillings earned his spot with a stellar performance in the Under-17 100-metre race, clocking 11.17 seconds to surpass the qualification standard. Callwood followed suit, achieving a qualifying mark of 37.08 metres in the discus event.
BVI athletes competing at the collegiate level also delivered outstanding results, setting records and personal bests.
Kimberly Smith, representing Eastern Washington University, made headlines at the Lauren McCluskey Memorial Open with a 6.25-metre jump in the long jump event. Her performance secured the top spot, set a new school record, and marked a personal best.
At the Radd Sports College Invitational and Multi-Event, Adriano Gumbs placed first in heat 3 and fourth overall in the finals of the men’s 300-metre dash, with a time of 34.80 seconds. Also at that event, Jordanne Thomas of St. Thomas University won her heats in the 200-metre and 60-metre prelims. She clocked 25.38 seconds in the 200 metres and 7.66 seconds in the 60-metre prelims, setting a new school record.
At the Hilltop Invitational, Tyreese James, representing North Iowa Area Community College, placed second in the finals of the 60 metres, running 6.85 seconds. Meanwhile, Bruce Huggins of Mount Mercy University finished sixth in the same event, clocking 7.14 seconds.