分类： sports

Ahead of the prestigious CARIFTA Games in Grenada, Olympic athlete and national 400m record-holder Johnathan Jones has delivered a powerful motivational address to members of Barbados’ Elite Distance Track Club. The special reception, hosted at Co-Operators General Insurance on Sunday, served as both a celebration and strategic preparation session for the young athletes embarking on their regional competitive journey.

Barbados is set to make history by sending an unprecedented delegation of 61 athletes to the championships, with 16 representatives originating from the Elite Distance Track Club. Additionally, two club swimmers will compete at the parallel CARIFTA Swimming Championships in Martinique.

Jones, currently training in Florida, emphasized the significance of the selection achievement while outlining the mental framework required for competitive success. “You’ve earned your positions through merit, not favor,” he stated. “Medals are determined by performance on competition day, not predetermined by reputation. Approach each round systematically and pursue victory aggressively.”

Drawing from his own championship experiences, Jones highlighted the psychological approach cultivated by Coach Ramon Armstrong that propelled numerous athletes to podium finishes. “We operated with a conviction of superiority—a mindset where we acknowledged no competitors as better prepared or more capable. This mentality yielded medal-winning performances across our team.”

While emphasizing competitive intensity, Jones equally stressed the importance of embracing the experiential aspects of international competition. He reflected on the enduring personal connections formed during his own CARIFTA participations, noting that some friendships sustained to this day provide personal support networks beyond athletic contexts.

Coach Armstrong reinforced these messages while contextualizing the broader significance of the athletes’ participation. “Previous performances become irrelevant once you approach the starting line,” he advised. “Every competitor begins equally, and each has legitimate medal potential. You represent not merely individual aspirations but national pride, familial investment, institutional reputation, and club legacy.”

The coaching visionary acknowledged the athletes’ developmental progression while emphasizing that peak performance remains the ultimate objective. “We’ve witnessed your dedicated training and consistent improvement. Now we anticipate seeing that preparation translate into exceptional competitive representation for Barbados.”

Josh Read and Mark Jordan delivered a masterclass in strategic rally driving, securing a calculated victory in the Barbados Rally Club’s (BRC) Shakedown Stages this Sunday. The duo piloted their Ford Fiesta Rally2 to a precise two-second triumph, establishing an early psychological advantage for the upcoming BCIC Rally Barbados 2026. Despite not setting the fastest times on every stage, their consistent performance from the second of nine special stages proved decisive.

The event, which concluded with a prizegiving ceremony at the Conrad Hunte Cricket Ground in St. Andrew, saw Read emphasize the multifaceted challenge of winning Rally Barbados. ‘The stages were challenging, especially Pickerings with the amount of gravel on the road, but we kept out of trouble. My confidence is good. A lot of things need to be right to win Rally Barbados; we need to be fast, consistent and reliable,’ he stated.

Defending BCIC RB25 champions Kyle Gregg and Kreigg Yearwood, also in a Fiesta Rally2, led initially but were hampered by a power delivery issue. After a strong afternoon charge that included three stage wins, they managed to claw their way back to a commendable second place. ‘We were much sharper after lunch and I’m glad the trouble came in the Shakedown,’ remarked a philosophical Gregg.

The rally was not without drama for other top contenders. Two-time winners Dane Skeete and Tyler Mayhew (Subaru Impreza WRC S12) mounted an impressive recovery from 44th place after a disastrous opening stage, only to retire late due to mechanical woes. Adam Mallalieu, who was poised for a podium finish in his new Fiesta Rally2, suffered a final-stage excursion that dropped him to fifth.

This misfortune promoted the BCIC RB24 winning duo of Stuart Maloney and Kristian Yearwood (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) to third, a significant confidence boost following their heavy accident in last year’s event. Maloney described the day as a ‘block building’ exercise, expressing satisfaction with their progress and pace.

The event also served as a crucial testing ground under new central service regulations for the 2026 rally, placing greater emphasis on vehicle reliability. Of the 47 starters, 16 failed to finish, underscoring the demanding nature of the competition and setting the stage for an intensely competitive main event.

The 2026 Dasani BSSAC Finals witnessed the spectacular emergence of two phenomenal young talents, Blake Carrington and Alex Jones-Ifill, who delivered a masterclass in athletic dominance within the Under-13 division through a series of record-shattering performances.

Blake Carrington, a former St Gabriel’s Primary student now representing the St Michael School Cougars, engineered one of the most comprehensive displays of the championship. Her quest for gold commenced with a blistering 100-metre sprint victory in 13.45 seconds. She then demonstrated her vertical prowess by conquering the high jump with a clearance of 1.43 metres. The pinnacle of her performance, however, was a breathtaking long jump of 5.32 metres, which decisively demolished the previous BSSAC record. Adding to her impressive haul, Carrington also secured a fourth-place finish in the 200 metres with a time of 27.27 seconds.

In a post-competition interview, an elated Carrington reflected on her achievement, stating, “I feel absolutely fantastic. Last year, my athletic preparations were compromised due to my focus on the 11-Plus exams, which makes this victory profoundly significant. I genuinely did not anticipate breaking the record by such a substantial margin; I am overwhelmingly happy.” With her sights firmly set on a grand future, Carrington revealed her aspirations to represent Barbados internationally, targeting gold medals at the CARIFTA Games, the World Championships, and ultimately, the Olympic Games.

On the parallel track, Alex Jones-Ifill of St Leonard’s Boys’ School made an unforgettable debut at the BSSAC Finals, clinching the prestigious Victor Ludorum title with a commanding and unmatched tally of 40 points. Jones-Ifill’s dominance was absolute, as he seized victory in four distinct events: the 100m, 200m, 400m, and Long Jump. His performance was historically significant, as he etched his name into the annals of BSSAC by obliterating three longstanding records: the long jump (5.37m), the 200m (23.84 seconds), and the 400m (55.02 seconds).

This athletic triumph continues a remarkable streak for Jones-Ifill. Just months prior, in July 2025, the former West Terrace Primary student showcased his versatile sporting excellence by scoring the championship-winning goal for his school in the BICO Primary School Football Final against defending champions Arthur Smith Primary. Notably, he had flown back to Barbados just a day before that final after earning a bronze medal for Team Barbados in the pentathlon at the NACAC U13 and U15 championships.

Reflecting on his strategy and success, Jones-Ifill credited his coaching team, saying, “My plan entering BSSAC was to execute my races with precision. I’ve received incredible support; one coach has been instrumental in refining my long jump technique and speed work, while Coach David has optimized my performance across both short and long distances.” He also paid tribute to his family, adding, “My parents provide unwavering support, for which I am extremely grateful.”

Photography by Nathan Goddard-McCarthy captured the defining moments of these future stars’ ascendancy.