分类： sports

Jamaican track and field circles witnessed an extraordinary display of athletic prowess as Saint Lucian thrower Denzel Philips demolished his own national record not once, but twice during the McKenley/Wint Track & Field Classic 2026 on January 24. The Jamaica College senior achieved this remarkable feat at Calabar High School Sports Complex in Kingston, Jamaica, demonstrating unprecedented growth in the under-20 men’s shot put discipline.

Competing in the Boys Class 1 final, Philips launched the six-kilogram shot put to an impressive 17.17 meters on his fourth attempt, securing fifth position against world-class competition. This monumental throw places him among the global top ten athletes in his category for 2026. Notably, his third attempt of 16.84 meters had already surpassed his previous week’s national junior record of 16.33 meters, making this the second time in seven days that he rewrote Saint Lucia’s athletic history.

The event was dominated by Javontae Smith’s winning throw of 18.78 meters, with Kamari Kennedy claiming second place at 18.65 meters. Despite finishing fifth, Philips’ performance captured significant attention due to his rapid improvement and technical mastery.

Rajive Ford, Philips’ coach at Jamaica College, expressed unwavering confidence in his protege’s potential. In an exclusive statement to St. Lucia Times, Ford outlined ambitious targets for the young athlete: ‘We are hopeful that he will achieve qualifying distances for both shot put and discus throw to compete at the World U-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon this August. These require 18.30 meters in shot put and 56 meters in discus.’

Ford emphasized Philips’ psychological transformation as the key factor behind his recent successes. ‘The most significant change in his final junior year is his confidence,’ Ford observed. ‘Denzel has developed genuine self-belief that manifests in every training session and competition attempt.’

The coach revealed that Philips has demonstrated natural throwing aptitude since beginning the sport, noting his successful transition from U17 to U20 categories as evidence of his exceptional potential. While currently excelling in shot put, Ford believes Philips’ true specialty lies in discus throwing and anticipates further breakthroughs in coming weeks.

Training alongside world-class competitors weekly, Philips represents the promising future of Saint Lucian athletics. Despite already holding two national junior records and one senior record, both athlete and coach maintain that his most impressive achievements still lie ahead.

The Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) has officially announced its 19-player roster for the opening round of the 2026 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers, marking their participation in the tournament’s second edition featuring 28 national teams. The squad commences competitive action on January 26th in Group C, where they will face Haiti, Guatemala, Cayman Islands, and Antigua and Barbuda.

All group stage matches will be hosted at Curaçao’s Stadion Rignaal ‘Jean’ Francisca. The tournament structure will see the six group champions plus the two highest-ranked runners-up progress to the Final Round of the competition.

The team boasts significant international experience, featuring key players such as defender Hayla Samuel from El Niños and Lancers FC’s Tori Fanis. Particular attention focuses on emerging talent Kayla Polius, the squad’s youngest member, following her remarkable goal-scoring performance in last year’s Caribbean Football Union Under-14 championship. Similarly, Amaya Emmanuel demonstrated exceptional form during the 2024 CONCACAF Under-15 series, with both athletes having already gained senior team exposure.

The technical staff is led by Head Coach Minerva Charles, supported by assistant coaches Trevor Anderson, Wade Clovis, and Adele Pierre. Team management includes Shenell St Louis as Manager and Johnia Clifford as Assistant Manager, with Dr. Natasha Innocent serving as Team Physician.

Full Squad Details:
Goalkeepers: Kevlyn Fostin, Alyssa Flavius, Alice Phillips
Defenders: Le Neese Robinson, Aria Andrew, Daria Tisson, Ivana Marshall, Hayla Samuel, Joyceline Neptune, Raina Modeste, Tori Fanis
Midfielders: Kyla Lionel, Nyeesha Antoine, Dhunya Jn Baptiste, Kennya Richard, Sashaly Martyr
Forwards: Azia William, Kayla Polius, Amaya Emmanuel

The 2026 Kenson Casimir Bay Bay Cup football tournament commenced with spectacular performances as New Generation FC delivered a stunning 9-0 victory against Dominators FC on January 25 at Francis Baba Lastic Grounds in Gros Islet. Monchy United similarly began their campaign with a decisive win in the group stage matches.

New Generation FC, visiting from Babonneau, demonstrated exceptional prowess through standout performances by Yanic Noel and Shevon Byron, the 2024 Youth Footballer of the Year. The match saw an early breakthrough with Araon Richards scoring in the 12th minute, followed by additional first-half goals from Byron and Lee Edward, establishing a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime.

The second half intensified New Generation’s dominance as Yanic Noel secured a remarkable hat-trick, matched by Shevon Byron’s trio of goals. A further advantage came from an own goal by Dominators’ Tennyson Burke, culminating in the overwhelming 9-0 result.

In the subsequent Group B encounter, Monchy United capitalized on veteran striker Troy Greenidge’s expertise. Greenidge scored within the first five minutes against Northern United, who responded with aggressive but fruitless attacks after halftime. Greenidge sealed the victory with a second goal, finalizing the score at 2-0.

Monchy United’s head coach, Zane Stephen, expressed anticipation for a thrilling and competitive tournament. The event, organized by the Gros Islet Football League, features eight teams vying for the championship title and over $10,000 in prizes. Matches resume on January 28, featuring Gros Islet Veterans versus Police FC and national champions GMC United against Gros Islet Youth.

In a display of resilience and tactical prowess, the West Indies Under-19 cricket team clinched a crucial 25-run victory against Ireland on January 25th during the Super Six stage of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The match, held at the High Performance Oval in Namibia, was ultimately decided by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method following rain interruptions, yet underscored the Caribbean side’s determination to advance in the tournament.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, the West Indies lineup faced significant challenges against a disciplined Irish bowling attack. The batting order faltered consistently, with the notable exception of Jewel Andrew, whose international experience proved invaluable. Andrew anchored the innings with a determined knock of 66 runs, providing stability and ensuring his team posted a competitive total of 234 before being bowled out.

Ireland’s response began promisingly, with openers James West and Freddie Ogibly forging a solid 47-run partnership. The momentum continued as West combined with Adam Lecky for an additional 35 runs, positioning Ireland favorably. However, the West Indies’ spin attack dramatically shifted the game’s dynamics. Vitel Lawes (2-41) and Micah McKenzie (4-36) applied relentless pressure through a series of dot balls, triggering a cascade of reckless shots and wickets from the Irish batsmen.

Just as Ireland’s innings unraveled, rain intervened, halting play permanently. The umpires subsequently applied the DLS method, confirming the West Indies’ victory. Despite this win, the team acknowledges the need for improvement as they prepare to face an in-form Australian squad on January 28th in a high-stakes encounter that will determine their semi-final prospects.

Legendary West Indies cricket commentator Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira has expressed considerable optimism about the regional team’s prospects following their impressive performances at the ongoing ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup across Namibia and Zimbabwe. The Caribbean squad successfully advanced to the tournament’s Super Six stage, securing a notable victory against Ireland on January 26.

Perreira’s commendation came even prior to this latest triumph, following the team’s impressive group stage victory against South Africa. The veteran commentator, whose association with Windies cricket spans over fifty years, particularly highlighted the exceptional batting display from Zachary Carter, who scored a spectacular 114 runs from just 104 deliveries, including eight boundaries and eight maximums.

“Carter’s century was truly extraordinary,” Perreira noted. “His powerful striking and strong on-side play remind me of former Guyana and West Indies opener Clayton Lambert. Maintaining a run rate consistently above five while scoring 104 balls with eight fours and four sixes demonstrated remarkable composure.”

Perreira emphasized the encouraging development of batting depth within the squad, observing that the team no longer relies solely on standout performer Jewel Andrew. He praised Jonathan Van Lange’s supporting partnership with Carter and highlighted opener James Francis’ earlier half-century performance.

The commentary legend also recognized the team’s bowling strengths, particularly Shaquan Belle’s outstanding 6-40 figures from 10 overs. Perreira identified emerging talents like left-arm medium pacer Jaqueem Pollard and left-arm leg spinner Vitel Lawes as promising prospects for West Indies cricket’s future.

With this demonstrated depth in both batting and bowling departments, the West Indies squad appears well-positioned to challenge for their second Under-19 World Cup title, potentially ending their decade-long championship drought in the tournament.

The West Indies Cricket Board has officially announced its 15-man roster for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, setting its sights on reclaiming international glory after a ten-year championship drought. Under the leadership of Barbadian captain Shai Hope, the squad will travel to India and Sri Lanka in February for the prestigious tournament, where they hope to replicate their triumphant 2016 campaign.

The selection, finalized prior to the team’s recent series against Afghanistan as required by ICC regulations, showcases a powerful blend of experienced veterans and emerging talent. The batting lineup demonstrates formidable firepower with the inclusion of explosive hitters including Johnson Charles of Saint Lucia, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, and Sherfane Rutherford.

Bowling resources appear equally impressive, featuring a diverse spin department led by left-arm specialists Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie, supported by the reliable off-spin of Roston Chase. The pace attack gains formidable strength from rising star Shamar Joseph, complemented by the experienced Jason Holder, along with Jayden Seales and Romario Shepherd.

Adding fresh dynamism to the squad is newcomer Quentin Sampson, who earned his selection following an outstanding performance in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League where he received the award for most promising emerging player. The Guyanese sensation brings additional energy and potential to the Caribbean side’s campaign.

The complete squad includes: Shai Hope (Captain), Johnson Charles, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, and Jayden Seales.