Jamaica’s athletics future appears exceptionally bright following the conclusion of the Carifta Games Trials, an event hailed as ‘superb’ by Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) President Garth Gayle. The trials, held at the National Stadium, produced several world-leading performances that suggest Jamaica will maintain its decades-long dominance at the upcoming regional championships in Grenada.
Gayle expressed particular pride in the country’s coaching system, stating, ‘Our coaches continue to excel and demonstrate they rank among the world’s finest. The JAAA is profoundly grateful for their dedication in preparing these exceptional athletes.’
The standout performance came from 18-year-old Shanoya Douglas of Holland High, who delivered eye-opening sprints in both the Under-20 Girls’ 100m and 200m events. Her 100m time of 11.06 seconds currently leads the global senior rankings, while her 200m clocking of 22.58 seconds ranks fifth worldwide among seniors and first in her age category.
Equally impressive were the male sprinters, with Excelsior High’s Requilme Reid clocking 10.16 seconds in the Under-20 Boys’ 100m, placing him second globally in his age group behind Australia’s Gout Gout (10.00). Sanjay Seymore followed closely with a personal best of 10.20 seconds before claiming victory in the 200m.
Field events demonstrated equal excellence, with Jamaica College’s Michael-Andre Edwards achieving a double victory in the long jump (7.36m) and triple jump (15.78m). His triple jump performance places him joint-ninth globally, though his season’s best of 15.86m (achieved February 21) ranks sixth worldwide.
The technical events also shone brightly, exemplified by St. Jago High’s Ramario Jibbison and Marquies Page securing a one-two finish in the Under-20 Boys’ 110m hurdles with times of 13.37 and 13.60 seconds respectively.
With such comprehensive success across track and field events, Jamaica anticipates extending its remarkable streak as Carifta Games medal table leaders—a position maintained every year since 1985, interrupted only five times throughout the championship’s 52-year history. The team now looks to surpass last year’s haul of 78 medals (30 gold, 27 silver, 21 bronze) at the Grenada championships.