标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The opening session of the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on Tuesday witnessed a compelling mix of dominant performances and unexpected upsets in the Girls’ 1500m qualifying heats.

Defending champion Kevongaye Fowler of Edwin Allen High signaled her strong intent to retain the Class 2 crown, securing a comfortable second-place finish in her heat with a time of 5:07.92. She trailed only Keyah Anderson of The Queens School, who topped the qualification round with a leading time of 5:07.00.

The qualifying rounds showcased impressive depth in the event. Sydney Pagon STEM Academy’s Alexia Palmer, last year’s Class 3 silver medalist, clocked 5:08.06, followed closely by Immaculate Conception’s Netanya Robinson (5:08.63) and Alphansus Davis’ Tambbrel Williams (5:09.76).

In the other qualifying heat, Holmwood Technical’s Ashley Shepherd emerged victorious with a time of 5:15.30, finishing ahead of St Elizabeth Technical’s Shameika Dennis (5:17.16) and Hydel High’s Dallia Fairweather (5:18.76).

The championships delivered a significant early blow to Edwin Allen High as defending Class 3 champion Aneka Lowe suffered a surprising elimination. Despite posting a respectable time of 5:12.11, Lowe finished 13th overall, failing to advance to the finals after placing outside the top six qualifying positions.

Danoya Scott of Convent of Mercy Alpha Academy dominated the second Class 3 heat with an impressive 4:55.55 qualifying time, followed by St Jago High’s Shannaya Palmer (4:56.73) and Clarendon College’s Alexjordan Hall (4:59.17).

Holmwood Technical’s Felicia Compass claimed victory in the first Class 3 heat with a time of 5:00.55, finishing ahead of Manchester High’s Shawntaesha Gooden (5:08.86) and Alphansus Davis’ Kayanna Douglas (5:03.54).

The National Stadium in Kingston witnessed an electrifying display of middle-distance prowess during Tuesday’s qualifying rounds for the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships. The spotlight shone brightest on the Class 1 1500m event, where a thrilling preview of upcoming rivalries unfolded.

In a display of remarkable synchronization, Kingston College’s Nahashon Ruto and Edwin Allen High’s Joel Morgan blasted across the finish line in near unison during their semi-final heat. Recording times of 4:07.97 and 4:07.98 respectively, the two athletes—who are anticipated to face off again in the 800m—detached themselves decisively from the competition.

The first semi-final saw Calabar High’s Justin Webb seize victory with a strong time of 4:09.22, while Bellefield High’s Roquelme Johnson (4:10.16) and Alphansus Davis’s Raheem Palmer (4:10.82) secured their advancement. Jamaica College also demonstrated team strength with both Shemar Green (4:14.80) and Carlos Brison-Caines (4:11.03) progressing to the next round.

In Class 2 qualifying, Jamaica College’s Cavel Nooks emerged as the frontrunner, posting a leading time of 4:16.42. He was closely trailed by Sydney Pagon STEM Academy’s Luke Plummer (4:16.51), with Bellefield High’s Jevaughn Tomlin (4:16.67) and St Jago High’s Phillip Palmer (4:16.72) also earning final berths. Denbigh High’s Markland Williams and Excelsior High’s Keniel Daniels rounded out the qualifiers.

The Class 3 division saw defending champion Julius Itubo of Kingston College reinforce his favorite status. Itubo dominated his qualifying heat with a commanding time of 4:15.25, leaving Jamaica College’s Rikardo Lee (4:19.73) and Ajovi Williams (4:31.60) in his wake. Holmwood Technical’s Joshua Pryce and Calabar High’s Bryan Stewart completed the finalist field.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The opening day of the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships witnessed outstanding performances in field events at the National Stadium. Ramona Freemantle of Vere Technical High School emerged as a standout athlete by qualifying for her second final of the competition in the girls Class 1 discus throw discipline.

Freemantle, who placed fifth in last year’s discus final with a throw of 48.21 meters, demonstrated remarkable composure after an initial foul attempt. The athlete rebounded impressively with a second throw measuring 48.32 meters, securing her position in the upcoming final. This achievement adds to her previously confirmed placement in the girls Open Javelin throw competition, positioning her as a formidable multi-event contender.

The qualification round saw several other athletes advance with exceptional single-attempt performances. Abigail Bennett from Merl Grove High School recorded a throw of 46.39 meters, while Marla-Kay Lampart of Clarendon College achieved 46.24 meters. Gabriel Merchant, another Vere Technical athlete, joined the qualifiers with a mark of 46.06 meters.

Additional athletes progressing to the next round included Dionjah Shaw from Edwin Allen High (45.42m), Jada Francis of Immaculate Conception High (44.75m), and Rehanna Biggs representing St. Jago High (43.19m). The competition showcased the depth of talent in Jamaican high school athletics, setting the stage for an exciting finals series in the discus throw event.

Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) has announced a significant expansion of its flagship event, the Mouttet Mile, transforming it into a two-day racing spectacle for 2026. Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe revealed the enhanced format during a press conference at Caymanas Park on March 21, emphasizing the organization’s comprehensive commitment to horse racing development.

The racing extravaganza will commence on Friday, December 4 with the revival of the She’s A Maneater Sprint, an exclusive competition for Jamaican-bred thoroughbreds honoring the legendary filly whose remarkable career captivated racing enthusiasts. This special tribute race returns after being temporarily displaced by calendar restructuring and the reintroduction of the Diamond Mile.

Saturday, December 5 will feature the main Mouttet Mile event, which has consistently demonstrated exceptional popularity and attendance according to SVREL’s assessment. The expansion to two days represents a strategic response to the event’s growing prestige within the racing community.

In a significant move toward inclusivity, SVREL will enhance opportunities for smaller stables through revamped claiming races. The Friday card will feature three specially designed claiming events: a $1.5-million race with an increased purse from last year’s $1.25 million, alongside $350,000 and $700,000 claiming races both carrying substantial $1.5-million purses. This initiative specifically addresses previous limitations that excluded smaller participants from Mouttet Mile day activities.

The 2026 edition will embrace Jamaica’s vibrant cultural heritage through its ‘Dancehall Glam’ theme, reflecting both local traditions and the sport’s international reach. Sharpe emphasized that this thematic approach celebrates horse racing as an integral component of Jamaican culture alongside its sporting significance.

The event restructuring demonstrates SVREL’s holistic approach to racing development, balancing competitive excellence with broader participant inclusion while integrating cultural elements that resonate with both local and international audiences.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The opening day of the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships witnessed a spectacular display of athletic prowess as defending champion Michael Andre Edwards of Jamaica College delivered a commanding performance in the Class 1 boys long jump preliminaries. The National Stadium erupted as Edwards secured his place in the finals with a single, monumental leap of 7.53 meters, significantly surpassing the automatic qualifying standard of 7.05 meters despite a substantial headwind of 1.9 meters per second.

Edwards, who achieved the remarkable long jump and triple jump double victory in last year’s championships, demonstrated why he remains the athlete to beat in this discipline. His first-attempt qualification not only conserved energy for the upcoming finals but also sent a powerful message to his competitors.

The competition for remaining final spots intensified among other top Jamaican high school athletes. Kingston College’s Amani Phillips, last year’s Class 2 medalist, positioned himself as a strong contender with a jump of 7.04 meters, falling just one centimeter short of the automatic mark. Jamaica College’s Jaivar Cato followed closely with a respectable 6.94-meter effort in calm wind conditions.

In a notable comeback performance, Kemar James of St Jago High overcame initial difficulties to qualify with a wind-assisted 6.91 meters (2.3m/s). The finals will also feature Calabar High’s Shevaughn Pryce alongside St Elizabeth Technical’s duo Santino Distin and Rodeeki Walters, setting the stage for an intensely competitive championship showdown.

In an unprecedented development for Jamaican scholastic sports, Hillel Academy has shattered its athletic tradition by qualifying its first competitor for the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships. The institution, historically celebrated for academic distinction, now enters the competitive arena through 13-year-old sprint sensation Damian Jongwe.

Jongwe embodies global citizenship—born in France, recently relocated from Bangkok, Thailand, with prior residency in Kenya and Zimbabwean heritage through his father. His arrival in Jamaica just last August marked the beginning of this remarkable athletic journey. Despite minimal prior knowledge of Jamaica’s premier track event, Jongwe recognized the nation’s formidable reputation in track and field culture, which influenced his family’s decision to settle there.

Coach Devon Grant, who concurrently heads Papine High’s track program and previously guided Mavis Bank High, has achieved what he describes as a breakthrough after unsuccessful attempts with other athletes in prior seasons. “This represents a wonderful opportunity to establish Hillel’s presence at Champs,” Grant stated, emphasizing the significance of Jongwe’s qualification for the 2026 championships.

The young athlete will contest the Class 3 Boys’ sprint double, competing in both the 100m and 200m events. While Grant maintains realistic expectations for Jongwe’s inaugural championship appearance, he projects potential advancement to the 200m finals, acknowledging the 100m presents greater challenges. More importantly, Grant identifies this milestone as catalyzing broader athletic development at Hillel, noting two additional students have already joined training sessions.

Jongwe approaches his historic participation with emotional complexity—describing himself as simultaneously nervous, excited, and prepared. “This experience pushes me to achieve my best,” he reflected. “I believe I belong alongside these competitors and anticipate this will be a foundational experience for future success.” His championship campaign commences Tuesday afternoon with the 100m heats, followed by Thursday morning’s 200m competition.

LIVERPOOL, England – Liverpool Football Club has officially confirmed that iconic forward Mohamed Salah will depart the club upon the conclusion of the 2025-26 Premier League season, marking the end of an extraordinary nine-year era at Anfield. The announcement, made through the club’s official channels on Tuesday, signals the departure of one of the most prolific scorers in the club’s storied history.

The Egyptian international, who joined the Reds from AS Roma in 2017 for what was then a club-record transfer fee, has established himself as a modern Liverpool legend. During his tenure, the 33-year-old has made 435 appearances across all competitions while netting an astonishing 255 goals – a tally that places him among the club’s all-time greats.

Club management emphasized that the decision was reached through mutual agreement between Salah and the organization. In an unusual display of transparency toward the fanbase, Salah specifically requested early disclosure of his departure plans out of profound respect for the supporters who have championed his career on Merseyside.

Salah’s legacy includes helping secure Liverpool’s first Premier League title in 30 years during the 2019-20 campaign, along with Champions League glory in 2019. His individual accolades include multiple Golden Boot awards and PFA Player of the Year honors, cementing his status as one of the Premier League’s most dominant attacking forces of the modern era.

The coming months will represent a final chapter for the Egyptian king at Anfield, with supporters anticipated to give him a fitting farewell following his immense contributions to the club’s recent renaissance.