分类： sports

A compelling narrative of familial inspiration and athletic rivalry is set to unfold at the National Stadium as 16-year-old Devaune Freemantle of Vere Technical prepares for the boys’ javelin open final at the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships. The young athlete draws immediate motivation from his sister, Ramona Freemantle, who secured a silver medal in the girls’ javelin event just yesterday.

The sibling athletes from Ocho Rios, St. Ann, maintain a healthy competitive dynamic while consistently supporting each other’s athletic endeavors. Devaune openly acknowledges following his sister’s path into track and field, recently achieving a personal breakthrough by surpassing the 40-meter mark. His aspiration to medal in today’s competition mirrors his sister’s accomplishment.

Ramona’s journey to javelin success demonstrates remarkable adaptability. Initially pursuing sprinting where she demonstrated considerable speed, she transitioned to throwing events following an injury setback upon recommendation from a former coach at Vere Technical. This strategic shift has yielded significant results—besides her javelin silver medal, she placed fourth in the Class 1 girls’ discus throw with a distance of 45.79 meters.

Thursday’s javelin final presented a dramatic contest where Ramona led for extended periods before being narrowly defeated by Immaculate Conception’s Zoelle Jamel on countback after both athletes recorded identical throws of 45.09 meters. This silver medal represents Ramona’s second Champs podium appearance, improving upon her bronze medal performance from the previous year.

As the athletic spotlight turns to her younger brother, Ramona will be among the spectators, wearing her newly won silver medal and cheering for Devaune to achieve podium success while contributing valuable points to Vere Technical’s overall championship tally.

In a breathtaking display of athletic prowess, Jamaican junior sprinter Shanoya Douglas has cemented her legacy in track and field history. Competing at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletic Championships in Kingston, the Holland High student delivered a monumental performance in the Class 1 200m final, clocking an astonishing 22.36 seconds against a -1.6m/s headwind.

The electrifying race witnessed Douglas demolish both the national Under-20 record and the championship meet record before a capacity crowd at the National Stadium. Her remarkable achievement surpassed the previous national benchmark of 22.50 seconds established by Briana Williams during the 2018 World Under-20 Championships in Finland, and bettered the meet record of 22.53 seconds set by Brianna Lyston in 2022.

This record-shattering performance represents Douglas’s second personal best improvement within a fortnight, having previously clocked 22.58 seconds at the Carifta Trials held at the same venue. The newly minted record also maintains her position as the world’s leading Under-20 sprinter this season.

Douglas’s championship campaign showcased her exceptional versatility, having previously secured the 100m title on Wednesday with a personal best of 10.98 seconds—ranking her tenth on Jamaica’s all-time junior list. Her historic 200m time now shares the tenth position on the same prestigious ranking.

The race outcome demonstrated Douglas’s overwhelming dominance as she left competitors trailing significantly. Edwin Allen High School’s Alexxe Henry captured silver with 23.63 seconds, while teammate Shanique Cassanova claimed bronze in 24.17 seconds.

Douglas, who earned bronze in the 200m at the 2024 World Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, continues to emerge as Jamaica’s newest sprint sensation, generating tremendous excitement for her future in international athletics.

GRACE Foods has significantly elevated the participant experience at the 2026 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletic Championships through its innovative Athletes’ Village initiative. As the prestigious sporting event concludes at Jamaica’s National Stadium, the GraceKennedy subsidiary has reinforced its decades-long dedication to nurturing youth athletic talent and fostering national pride.

Operating under its ‘Good Move’ development agenda, the company established a comprehensive sanctuary for competitors from all participating schools. This dedicated facility provided essential services for physical recovery, nutritional support, and mental relaxation throughout the five-day championship period.

Brand Manager Ingrid Medwinter emphasized the company’s enduring commitment: “Grace has consistently supported athlete development in Jamaica, with our nearly twenty-year sponsorship of Champs reflecting this ongoing dedication. This championship has served as the foundation for many Jamaican athletic legends, and we take pride in strengthening that legacy.”

The village addressed a critical need for sustained athlete performance during the extended competition. With events spanning multiple days, the requirement for balanced recovery environments became essential for maintaining peak competitive condition. The facility enabled athletes to physically recuperate, mentally reset, and nutritionally refuel between events.

Promotions and Events Coordinator Shannon Grant reported overwhelming positive response: “We’ve witnessed firsthand how both athletes and coaches have benefited from this dedicated space. It has provided crucial comfort and support during an exceptionally demanding week, adding genuine value to their championship experience.”

The comprehensive facility featured multiple specialized zones including hydration stations, Grace Kitchen’s Café, a Mighty Malt nutrition booth, tea station, and gaming lounge areas. Athletes received protein-rich meals featuring Grace sardines, corned beef, and tuna to sustain energy levels and facilitate muscle recovery. Professional physiotherapists provided massage therapy and kinesiologic taping services throughout the event.

Adding inspirational elements, Grace athlete ambassadors Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Hansle Parchment engaged directly with student athletes, offering encouragement and sharing expertise. Olympic champion Parchment highlighted the village’s significance during his Wednesday visit: “At multi-day competitions like Champs, recovery becomes equally important as performance. Having proper facilities for refueling, resting, and mental resetting creates crucial competitive advantages. Grace’s Athletes’ Village establishes this essential balance, providing the support athletes need to maintain focus and perform optimally.”

The initiative represents Grace Foods’ holistic approach to athletic development, recognizing that championship success requires both on-track excellence and strategic between-event recovery support.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hydel High School’s track and field sensation Zavien Bernard has cemented her legendary status at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships by capturing an unprecedented third gold medal in the girls’ Class 2 high jump event on Saturday’s championship finale.

Bernard’s spectacular performance at Jamaica’s National Stadium culminated in a winning clearance of 1.76 meters, completing a remarkable triple crown achievement that began with Thursday’s long jump victory (5.63m) and continued with Friday’s dramatic triple jump Open title secured in the final round.

The teenage athlete demonstrated exceptional technical mastery in the high jump competition, achieving first-attempt clearances through the first five height increments before successfully conquering the 1.76m barrier on her second attempt. This display of consistency and competitive composure under pressure highlighted her dominance in the field events.

Malia Housen from Mt Alvernia High School claimed the silver medal with a jump of 1.73 meters, while Sackoya Palmer of St Mary High secured bronze with a 1.70-meter clearance, both athletes putting forth valiant efforts against Bernard’s commanding performance.

Bernard’s extraordinary triple gold achievement marks one of the most outstanding individual performances in the recent history of Jamaican high school athletics, signaling the emergence of a potentially world-class talent in the making.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a spectacular display of athletic prowess and personal redemption, Clarendon College’s Marla-Kay Lampart delivered a championship-record performance in the girls’ Class 1 shot put event at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships. Overcoming last year’s disappointing fifth-place finish, the national junior record holder achieved a massive throw of 14.07 meters at the National Stadium, dominating the competition from her very first attempt.

The highly anticipated rematch saw Lampart, competing in her final high school season, demonstrate remarkable composure and power throughout the event. Her winning mark not only secured the championship title but also served as a powerful statement about her resilience and dedication to the sport.

Excelsior High’s Katie Gordon captured the silver medal with a strong throw of 12.75 meters, while Gabriel Merchant of Vere Technical High School earned bronze with a distance of 12.59 meters, rounding out the podium in what proved to be an intensely competitive final.

The victory represents a significant personal triumph for Lampart, who had been widely favored to win last year’s competition before her unexpected fifth-place finish. Her record-breaking performance this year underscores her development as an athlete and her ability to perform under pressure at Jamaica’s premier high school athletics championship.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletic Championships witnessed extraordinary displays of athletic prowess on Saturday, with Marquies Page of St Jago High delivering a spectacular performance in the boys Class 1 110m hurdles final. Despite challenging wind conditions measuring -1.3m/s, Page blazed across the finish line in 13.06 seconds to claim the championship title.

The victory came despite a post-race warning issued after officials recalled the start, adding drama to an already intense competition. Page’s triumph built upon his exceptional semifinal performance on Friday where he shattered the meet record with an astonishing 12.98-second run, establishing himself as the undeniable favorite heading into the final.

Kingston College’s Brandon Bennett secured second position with a time of 13.62 seconds, while Calabar High’s Divondrae Matthews captured bronze with 13.76 seconds, completing the podium in this highly competitive event.

In other hurdles action, Hydel High’s Robert Miller emerged victorious in his Class 1 event, clocking 13.41 seconds to narrowly defeat Calabar High’s Dijon Swaine who finished at 13.48 seconds. Kingston College’s Taj-Oneil Gordon rounded out the top three with a time of 13.59 seconds.

The Class 3 100m hurdles showcased emerging talent as William Knibb Memorial’s Jamali Laing claimed gold with 13.07 seconds, edging out Jamaica College’s Adrian Phillips who finished just 0.05 seconds behind at 13.12 seconds. Alex Lewis of Calabar secured third place with a respectable 13.46-second finish.

The championships continue to demonstrate Jamaica’s incredible depth in track and field athletics, particularly in hurdles events that have produced world-class competitors over decades.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a stunning display of athletic prowess and competitive resilience, Hydel High School’s Zavien Bernard captured her second gold medal within twenty-four hours at the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships. The dramatic climax unfolded on Friday at the National Stadium, where Bernard delivered a championship-winning performance in the triple jump open event.

Facing intense pressure in the final round, Bernard found herself momentarily displaced from the top position by her own teammate, Sabrina Atkinson. Atkinson had electrified the stadium with a massive personal best leap of 12.43 meters, catapulting from fourth place into the provisional lead. Undeterred, Bernard responded with sheer brilliance on her very last attempt. Soaring to a new personal record of 12.65 meters, she snatched back the victory with the final jump of the entire competition, cementing her status as a dual champion.

This triumphant moment followed her gold medal achievement in the Class 1 long jump just the day before, showcasing her remarkable versatility. The competition also featured a standout performance from Edwin Allen High’s Akaylea Brown, who completed an exceptional daily double. After securing gold in the Class 1 high jump earlier that day, Brown added a bronze medal in the triple jump with a lifetime best effort of 12.17 meters, further highlighting the exceptional talent on display at the national championships.

The National Stadium in Kingston witnessed a spectacular display of young athletic prowess on Saturday during the final day of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships. The spotlight shone brightly on the girls’ sprint events, where new champions emerged across multiple age classes.

Natrece East of Wolmer’s Girls’ School secured a highly coveted sprint double in the Class 2 category. Following her earlier success, East dominated the 200m final, clocking a winning time of 23.54 seconds into a headwind of -1.2m/s. This victory positioned her alongside Holland High’s Shanoya Douglas, who achieved an exceptional Class 1 double and shattered the national Under-20 record in the process.

The Class 2 podium was completed by Edwin Allen High’s Sashana Johnson, who captured the silver medal with a time of 23.65 seconds, adding to her silver from the 400m. Priscilla Johnson of The Queens School earned the bronze medal, finishing in 24.18 seconds.

In the Class 3 event, Veneisha Pottinger of Mt Alvernia High showcased remarkable resilience. After a disappointing fourth-place finish in the 100m, the COCAA Western Champs gold medallist bounced back emphatically to claim the 200m title in 24.55 seconds. She finished ahead of Knox College’s Tawaina Marston (24.75 seconds) and Edwin Allen’s multi-talented Tashana Godfrey, the 80m hurdles champion, who took third in 24.89 seconds.

The Class 4 final was conquered by Vere Technical’s Omeikia Shepherd, who posted a swift 22.57 seconds despite facing a strong headwind of -1.9m/s. She secured the gold medal ahead of Hydel High’s Reneka Reid (25.32 seconds) and Niesha Campbell of Edwin Allen, who completed the race in 25.49 seconds.