ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Fresh off the conclusion of the 53rd edition of the CARIFTA Games, one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious youth athletics competitions, Antigua and Barbuda’s national delegation has returned home to a warm welcome and widespread praise for their strong showings in Jamaica. Daryll S. Matthew, the country’s Minister of Sports, has lauded the team’s young competitors, pointing to an impressive haul of medals and a string of personal best performances delivered across every discipline.
In an official address marking the team’s return, Matthew singled out sprinter Tyra Fenton for special recognition, after Fenton dominated the under-age sprints to claim two gold medals in the women’s 100-meter and 200-meter events. She added a bronze medal in the 400-meter contest to round out a breakout competition that cements her status as one of the Caribbean’s most promising young track talents.
The national team also notched strong results in the field events, with Zonique Charles securing a silver medal in the women’s javelin throw, and Maliek Francis bringing home a bronze medal in the men’s division of the same event.
Beyond the podium finishes, Matthew emphasized that the team’s success extended far beyond just medal hauls. A large group of competitors recorded new personal best marks over the course of the multi-day competition, a testament to the steady improvement of Antigua and Barbuda’s youth athletics programs. Among the athletes who hit new personal milestones were Ryan Aikin, Shaquan Garding, Jaeda Pigott, Shawn-Ze Joseph, Elite Thomas, Fenton, and Geron Henry.
Matthew went on to extend his sincere gratitude to every member of the delegation, from the competing athletes to the full coaching and support staff, for their hard work in representing Antigua and Barbuda on the respected regional sports stage. He framed the entire 2024 CARIFTA Games campaign as an unqualified success for the nation, noting that both top-three podium finishes and the measurable performance gains across the wider team are clear indicators that the country’s youth athletics development is moving in the right direction.