As the 53rd edition of the CARIFTA Games wrapped up its three-day run at Grenada’s Kirani James Athletics Stadium on April 6, 2026, young Belizean athlete Brooklyn Lyttle delivered a historic, standout performance that put her nation firmly on the regional athletics map.
Competing in the Girls’ Under-20 Long Jump event, Lyttle launched herself to a winning distance of 6.16 meters, a result that outpaced all competing athletes from across the Caribbean. Rivka Goede from Curaçao secured the silver medal with a jump of 5.80 meters, while Seannah Parsons of Trinidad and Tobago rounded out the top three, taking home bronze with a 5.76-meter leap.
The news of Lyttle’s victory was quickly celebrated across Belize, with the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association issuing an official public statement on social media Sunday to honor the young champion. “Congratulations to Brooklyn Lyttle on winning GOLD in the Long Jump at CARIFTA 2026! An incredible achievement and a proud moment for Belize, your hard work, talent, and determination truly paid off! Way to represent, champion!” the association wrote.
First launched decades ago, the CARIFTA Games stand as the Caribbean’s most prestigious annual junior track and field competition, drawing rising athletic talent from more than 20 member nations across the region. This year’s tournament ran from April 4 to 6, 2026, with Lyttle’s gold marking a landmark win that strengthens Belize’s growing profile in regional junior sports. For the small Central American and Caribbean nation, Lyttle’s victory is more than a single medal—it is a testament to the dedication of young emerging athletes and a moment of national pride that resonates far beyond the athletics stadium.