West Indies captains Shai Hope and Hayley Matthews, as well as star athlete Sada Williams, were among the highlights, as the National Sports Council recognized a number of Barbados standout athletes from a range of disciplines at the 39th staging of its awards ceremony on Friday.
The event staged at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex was flocked by the country’s finest, who were rightly celebrated for their dedication to achieving sporting excellence.
Williams, who enjoyed a stellar year capped by her bronze medal performance in the 400m at the World Athletic Championships in Budapest, received the much-deserved nod for the coveted Minister’s Award and the National Sports Personality Award for 2023.
Matthews and Hope stood out in their respective categories, winning that award in the senior division. Claiming the school awards were St Gabriel’s School and Harrison College, while Esther Maynard was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her committed service in the athletic community.
Diminutive golfer Ashton O’Kola Physically topped his peers in the Junior Outstanding Sportsperson category, as Chess phenom Hannah Wilson won the honours in the female side.
The Wesley Worrell Award was presented to table tennis player Chad Doughty. Signia Finance and the Barbados Bottling Company received the Sponsors Award for their continued support, while well-known sports journalist Kenmore Bynoe secured the Media Award.
In the Team Award category, the Barbados Women’s Squash team reigned supreme. Emerging Athlete awardees were Desean Boyce in athletics and rising tennis star Hannah Chambers.
Kofi Hinds received the Alvin Burgess Award for Sports Administrator, recognizing his excellent work in the hockey arena, and The Coach-of-the-Year award went to Jesse King in athletics.
Youth Awards were distributed to Rejada Hinds, Scott Galbraith, Shakobi Gittens, Sarama James, Zachary Maynard, Laila McIntyre, and Chaz Reifer-Belle. Special awards were given to Paul Bernstein, Dorian Best, Michelle Elliot, Roberta Foster, and Akeem Rudder.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Charles Griffith in his remarks called for greater support from the private sector.
“From the time I took up this role as Minister of Sports I have been asking the private sector to come on board because it is impossible for government to fund all of the programs that we think are necessary to move our athletes to the next level,” Griffiths said.
“The onus is on us to ensure that every single playing field on this island is active with youngsters engaging in sporting disciplines and we have started the process of lighting all of those playing fields across the island. It is an ongoing project, but we expect to see the finishing line at some point in time,” he added.
Edwin Allen’s Theianna-Lee Terrelonge signalled an early warning for the season ahead, as she opened her account with a breezy personal best in the girls’ Class Two 100m at the JC/Pure Water meet at the Ashenheim Stadium on Saturday.
Terrelonge, a first-year Class Two athlete, clocked a striking 11.30 seconds in a 1.2 metres per second wind reading, as the time surpassed her previous lifetime best of 11.41.
The 16-year-old also erased the meet record of 11.92, with her closest competitor in the timed-final event being Lacovia’s Sabrina Dockery (11.45), while Shanoya Douglas (11.70), of Muschette High, was third.
Alliah Baker of Hydel, finished tops in the girls' Class One 100m, as she stopped the clock in 11.59, ahead of Trezeguet Taylor (11.69) of Edwin, and St Elizabeth Technical’s Habiba Harris (11.75).
Ferncourt's Rihanna Scott led the girls' Class Four 100m action with a new meet record of 12.19. Teixiera Johnson (12.29) of Hydel, and Edwin Allen’s Tashana Godfrey (12.42), were the runners-up.
On the boys’ side, Raheem Pinnock of St Jago took top honours, as his time of 10.59, was fastest across the 16 heats. Jamaica College’s Dontae Powell (10.68), and Edwin Allen’s Antonio Powell (10.73), were second and third respectively.
Muschette’s Johan-Ramaldo Smythe (10.78), topped the boys’ Class Two 100m, followed by Michael-Andre Edwards (11.09) of Jamaica College, and Tyreece Foreman (11.12) of St George’s College.
Meanwhile, Ched Brown of Calabar won the boys’ Class Three event in 11.21, ahead of Jamaica College's Jordan Grant (11.54) and Ajannie Kelly (11.54) of St Elizabeth Technical.
Elsewhere on the track, Jamaica College’s Rushane Symister clocked a respectable 48.82 to win the boys' 400m open, ahead of Antonio Powell (49.01) of Edwin Allen, and while Kingston College’s Jaquan Coke (49.14).
Edwin Allen's Tonyan Beckford topped the girls' equivalent in 53.93. Her teammate Kellyann Carr (55.37) and Shanoya Douglas (55.53) of Muschette, were second and third, respectively.
Jamaica College's Dorian Charles (53.27) and Hydel’s Aaliyah Mullings (1:00.68) won the boys’ Class One and girls’ 400m hurdles Open events. Charles won ahead of teammate Sean Gardener (53.64) and Calabar’s Requel Reid (54.00), while Mullings also won ahead of teammate Nastassia Fletcher (1:03.36) and Vere Technical's Shevaughn (1:03.54).
Calabar's Robert Miller won the boys’ Class Two 400m hurdles in 54.38. He was followed by Shavoy Thompson (57.84) of Muschette, and Daniel Henry (57.92) of Wolmer's Boys.
2022 NACAC 100m champion Ackeem Blake will clash with American World champion Christian Coleman and Canadian Olympic champion Andre De Grasse in the men’s 60m at the Millrose Games in New York on February 11.
The 21-year-old Blake had a mixed season in 2023. On one hand, he lowered his 100m personal best to 9.89 at the LA Grand Prix on May 27.
On the other hand, Blake disappointingly failed to secure an individual spot for Jamaica’s 100m team at the World Championships in Budapest after finishing fourth in the 100m final at Jamaica’s national championships in July. He went on to be a part of Jamaica’s bronze medal quartet in the men’s 4x100m in Budapest.
Blake’s 60m personal best, 6.42, was done last season at the National Stadium.
The USA’s Coleman, in addition to his 2019 World Outdoor 100m title, won the World Indoor 60m title in 2018 and was runner-up in 2022.
He is the current world record holder in the event with 6.34 done at the US Indoor Championships in 2018.
Canada’s De Grasse has won a number of medals at the global level, most notably winning 200m gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and being part of Canada’s gold medal 4x100m quartet at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene.
He has a 60m personal best of 6.60 done all the way back in 2015.
Also in the field will be the USA’s 2018 World Indoor bronze medallist Ronnie Baker, Japanese record-holed Abdul Hakim Sani Brown and Puerto Rican record-holder Miles Lewis.
Jamaica's multiple World Championships and Olympic medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has been featured in the January/ February 2024 issue of Essence magazine.
The sprint queen made the announcement on her Instagram account on Thursday, as she revealed that the article in the American-based lifestyle magazine covers her life on and off the track.
“I had the pleasure of being featured in the Jan/Feb 24’ @essence issue that celebrates Black Women in Sports. Thank you @missjabali for the thoughtful interview where we discussed life both on and off the track. On stands now,” Fraser-Pryce said in her post.
The post which includes a carousel of five photos from the issue, gave followers a glimpse of Fraser-Pryce dressed in various outfits.
Fraser-Pryce was last featured in Essence magazine when she signed a deal with luxury watch brand Richard Mille in November last year.
Two-time World 100m hurdles champion Danielle Williams headlines a star-studded field assembled for the 60m hurdles at the Millrose Games set for February 11 in New York.
Williams shocked the world by winning her second World title last August with a 12.43 effort in Budapest.
She will be joined by countrywoman Ackera Nugent and fellow Caribbean star Devynne Charlton in the eight-woman field.
Nugent, who finished fifth at the World Championships in Budapest, dominated both the indoor and outdoor NCAA circuits last season.
She claimed the 60m hurdles title at the NCAA Indoor Championships in New Mexico in March with a brilliant 7.73 second effort, this after running a national record 7.72 in the semi-finals.
She followed that up with 100m hurdles gold at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Texas in June with a wind-aided 12.25.
Charlton is also well-credentialed both indoors and outdoors. She was a finalist in the 100m hurdles at the World Championships in Budapest, finishing sixth.
In 2022, she won silver in the 60m hurdles at the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. That same year, she also took silver in the 100m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Also in the mix will be former World 100m hurdles record holder Keni Harrison, two-time World Indoor champion Nia Ali as well as Tia Jones, Alaysha Johnson and Masai Russell.
Six-time World champion Noah Lyles says his next goal is to add some indoor hardware to his collection.
Speaking in an interview with Trinidadian legend Ato Boldon last week, Lyles says his next goal is to take home the 60m world title at the upcoming World Indoor Championships set for March 1-3 in Glasgow, Scotland.
“The goal is to win the World Championships indoor,” the 26-year-old told Boldon.
To win that crown, Lyles will likely have to beat countryman and current World indoor 60m record holder, Christian Coleman, who took gold at the 2018 World Indoor Championships in Birmingham. Coleman set the current world record 6.34 earlier that year. 2022 World 100m champion Fred Kerley will also compete indoors this season.
Lyles is coming off a phenomenal 2023 outdoor season. He won a trio of gold medals at the World Championships in Budapest in August, becoming the first man since Usain Bolt to achieve the feat.
At those World Championships, Lyles produced a new personal best of 9.83 to win his maiden World 100m title.
Lyles also had one of his best indoor seasons last year, including a personal best 6.51 to win the 60m at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in New York last February.
He has never competed at the World Indoor Championships.
After securing the Diamond League 400 metres title last year, Kirani James says his focus was on progressive improvement ahead of the Paris Olympics, and the former World and Olympic champion has taken the necessary steps to continue along that path, with the appointment of Chris Lawrence as his new coach.
The coaching change comes as the Grenadian, who ended fifth at last year's Budapest World Championships, takes aim at a fourth Olympic appearance and, by extension, 400m medal to build on his already impressive track record. James won gold, silver and bronze at the 2012, 2016 and 2020 Games, and with Lawrence, a former assistant to his late coach Harvey Glance, he is excited about the prospects.
In fact, James’ decision to work with Lawrence reflects his commitment to build on Glance’s legacy.
“I’m pleased that Chris will be able to accompany and help aide me to continue the journey and path set out by coach Glance,” James shared.
The now 31-year-old’s career journey has been nothing short of remarkable. He first came in the scene with victories at the Carifta Games, and World Youth Championships in the 200m. Those were followed by a stellar performance in the 400m at the 2010 World Under-20 (Junior) Games.
James later rose to prominence when he copped gold at the 2012 London Olympics, with the Rio silver and Tokyo bronze to follow, making him the first athlete to win all three medals in the 100-year history of the event.
Additionally, James secured a bronze medal at the 2015 Beijing World Championships, and a silver at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene. His successive Diamond League titles in 2022 and 2023, complemented his World and Olympic accolades, as well as his Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2014.
These accomplishments have established James as one of the elite athletes in the 400m discipline and Grenada’s first and only Olympic medalist.
As James and Lawrence prepare for the Paris showpiece, anticipation will be high in the ‘Spice Isle’, as their superstar seems poised to add yet another chapter to his already legendary career in the world of athletics, especially given his resilience, dedication, and proven track record.
Iconic Jamaican sprinter Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce brought some festive cheer to her community of Waterhouse with her second Christmas Treat of the month on Boxing Day and her 16th overall.
Her first treat was held at the Windalco Sports Complex in Ewarton a week earlier.
On Boxing Day, children at the Fesco Field, children in the Waterhouse community were treated to a mixture of toys, rides, food and face painting to name a few.
Sponsors for the treat were Nike, Digicel Jamaica, Grace Foods, XLCR Jamaica and Toyota Jamaica Limited.
“The best Birthday gift I can ever receive is having a successful Treat each year,” said Fraser-Pryce who also celebrated her 37th birthday on Wednesday.
“Nothing more, nothing less. Thank you to our amazing sponsors and volunteers,” added the three-time Olympic and 10-time World Champion.
Fraser-Pryce only competed in five 100m races in 2023 due to a nagging knee injury.
Despite those concerns, she was still able to perform when it counted with 100m bronze at the World Championships in Budapest in August.
Her time (10.77) was a season’s best in her last race of the season.
Track & field legend Usain Bolt recently hosted his annual Christmas treat in Trelawny.
The eight-time Olympic gold-medallist transformed the community into a festive paradise filled with joy rides, music and gifts.
“Just a kid from the country!!!” said Bolt, who hails from Sherwood Content in the parish, on his Instagram page.
“Always a joy to give back to my community. No matter what, I will never forget where I’m from,” he added.
Bolt, who retired from the sport in 2017, still currently holds world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m and is the only man to win three consecutive Olympic sprint doubles.
On Friday, December 22, Olympic gold medalist Briana Williams brought yuletide joy to the community of Flankers in Montego Bay, St James, as she transformed the Flankers Football Field into a Christmas wonderland for her fourth annual Christmas treat.
With the generous support of Digicel and Grace Foods, over 300 children from the community were treated to a day filled with fun, frolic and musical entertainment.
Williams also brought gifts for each child and, of course, refreshments from Grace Foods and Digicel included popcorn, snow cones, hot dogs, sorrel and other delights also brought smiles to the community.
The inspiration behind Montego Bay came from Williams' mother, Sharon Simpson, who hails from the second city. Williams was also joined by Dancehall artist Tommy Lee Sparta, who is from Flankers. He shared a message of love and togetherness for those in attendance.
Williams was overjoyed to bring cheer to Montego Bay again.
"We provided gifts as always to Paradise and Norwood but had the event at the Flankers football field this year, as it is a more central location. Despite the rain, it was well-attended, a shower of blessings. The children were so much fun to share gifts with and dance with. I already can't wait for next year," she declared.
"Montego Bay is special to me, and I hope this event reminds the little ones of the meaning of Christmas. It's about sharing with others and spreading joy wherever you go," Williams added.
Questions and concerns have been raised over the absence of Jamaican-born Jak Ali Harvey from the Turkish Athletics scene.
In fact, media reports indicate that Harvey has seemingly cut ties with his adopted nation and its Athletics Federation, as several attempts to make contact with the 2016 and 2018 European Championships medallist, proved futile.
Harvey, who according to reports, last competed in August 2022 at the Turkish Clubs Super League, rose to prominence in Turkey during his league competition for ENKA Club some nine years ago, at which time, he switched allegiance from Jamaica to the Southeast European country. During the height of his career, Harvey, not only copped European Championships medals, but also made the men's sprint semi-finals at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
He inevitably set a new Turkish national record of 9.92s in the 100m in 2016, to go along with his other personal best of 20.38s in the 200m set a year prior. From there, Harvey, went on to achieve other remarkable feats under the Turkish flags, as he became the most decorated Turkish athlete to grace the Balkan Championships, and also became the first Turkish athlete to win at the Mediterranean Games twice.
However, the now 34-year-old's decorated Turkish career seems to have end in mystery. An Athletics Podium report said Harvey left Istanbul after the 2022 league contest, and later disappeared from the grid. The report suggested that Harvey went back to Jamaica as is customary every autumn, but is yet to return to Istanbul since then, and has seemingly cut ties with Turkey.
It is reported that club officials have tried on numerous occasions to make contact with Harvey, including through his former manager and friend Donovan Powell, the brother of Asafa Powell, but there have been no clear indications of his whereabouts.
Still, the report stated that "rumours can be heard around Turkish athletics as to him [Harvey] being seen driving a cab in his native land Jamaica."
It is understood that during the last couple of seasons, Harvey had some trouble with the Turkish Athletics Federation regarding Olympic scheduling and sources, but it remains unclear if that played a part in the current situation.
Elite Performance Track Club provided children at the Robin’s Nest Children’s Home in St. James with some Christmas cheer on Monday.
The club provided gifts and supplies, played games and spoke to some of the children at the home.
Robin's Nest Children's Home began in 1998, a private Christian home to minister to the physical, mental and spiritual needs of Jamaican children.
The home’s founder, Michelle Robinette, spent time visiting children at a local orphanage and soon felt led the following year not only to care for hurting children on the island but desired to start a new place where more kids could call "home."
The fastest man to ever walk the earth, Usain Bolt, says he’s not worried about any of his world records being broken anytime soon.
The eight-time Olympic gold-medalist currently holds both the 100m and 200m world records.
Both marks, 9.58 in the 100m and 19.19 in the 200m, were set at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, Germany.
“I knew I was going to break the world record because I was in such good shape at the time and I was running great throughout the season,” Bolt said in an interview with World Athletics.
Athletes like Fred Kerley, Ferdinand Omanyala and Noah Lyles have both been vocal about trying to eclipse Bolt’s 100m world record but neither has come close up to this point.
Kerley, the 2022 World 100m Champion, has a personal best of 9.76. Omanyala, the 2022 Commonwealth Champion, has a personal best of 9.77 while Lyles ran his personal best 9.83 to win 100m gold at the Budapest World Championships earlier this year.
Lyles, however, who was named as the World Athletics Male Athlete of the Year for 2023 after taking three gold medals in Budapest, is not that far off the 200m world record with a personal best of 19.31 done to win the 2022 World title in Eugene.
“Not worried about any of them,” he said regarding the times.
“I think the hundred is going to be harder because it’s quicker and if you make a mistake during the race you’re not going to get it. It’s a lot more technical so I think maybe the hundred is going to go last,” he added.
Bolt also commented on still being known as the fastest man ever as well as his relationship with the fans over the years.
“It’s a great title to have. It’s something that I enjoy hearing and I enjoy knowing,” he said about the title.
“It’s always been so beautiful for me. They give me so much energy. I remember even through the World Championships in the pandemic I was like I could not compete in this. By myself in the stadium, I could not because I live so much for the energy and the vibes,” he added.
Jamaican sprinter Briana Williams held her fourth annual Christmas treat on Friday in the community of Flanker in Montego Bay.
The treat, which was held at the Flankers Football Field, included festivities such as a Santa tent, face painting, refreshments provided by major sponsors grace foods, rides and toys for children.
Williams, 21, is a three-time Olympic and World Championship medalist as a part of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay quartet.
At the junior level, she was dominant, winning the sprint double at the 2018 World Junior Championships in Tampere, Finland.
She has personal bests of 10.94 in the 100m and 22.50 in the 200m, a national Under-20 record.
Sanya Richards-Ross has successfully given birth to a second baby boy.
The “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star, who suffered a miscarriage earlier this year, gave birth to a son on Tuesday.
"He's here!!!!!" she announced in an Instagram Story.
"He's healthy, super chill and an absolute cutie! God is so good. Thanks for all the prayers," added Richards-Ross.
The 38-year-old is already the mother of son Aaron II, 6, with her husband, Aaron Ross.
On the track, the Kingston-born American star had a superb career competing in the 400m.
Richards-Ross is a four-time Olympic Champion, five-time World Champion and a two-time Diamond League winner.
Her 400m personal best 48.70 is the current American record and puts her 19th on the all-time performances list.
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