Thankful James smashes own record en route to gold

NASSAU, Bahamas,  (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago’s Chelsea James was left thanking a plethora of people after she produced a record-breaking performance to capture the Under-17 shot putt on the opening day of the 42nd CARIFTA Games here yesterday. Contesting her event in the morning session at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium, the 16-year-old James measured 14.48 metres to erase her old mark of 14.02, set last year in Bermuda.
Jamaica’s Janell Fullerton was second with a throw of 13.75m while Brashae Wood of Bahamas finished third with 12.60m.
“I thank God for giving me the strength to come here another year,” said James, who admitted she felt the pressure of coming into the event as the defending champion.
“I want to thank my coach Wayne Stewart for working endless hours with me in my preparations. I want to thank my mother, grandmother and aunt for supporting me.”
She added: “I am excited at winning this country’s first title. The competition was tough early one as the distances were close.”
Meanwhile, Fredrick Dacres and Britny Kerr gave Jamaica a very good start in Saturday’s opening session with gold in the boys’ Under-20 discus and in the girls Under-17 high jump.
Kerr, who had the support of her Hydel school coach Cory Bennett, was the only one to clear the bar at 1.68 metres. She, however, failed on all three attempts at 1.70m. Keer’s Jamaica and Hydel teammate Shiann Salmon finished third with 1.60m.
Bermuda’s Sakari Famous, who threatened at one stage, was only good enough for second with a clearance of 1.65m.
Meanwhile, World Youth and Junior champion Dacres, and Chadrick DaCosta gave Jamaica a handsome 1-2 in the discus.
Dacres took the gold with a throw of 61.27m while DaCosta was second with a personal best 55.61m. BVI’s Eldred Burrows claimed bronze with 52.06m.
The boys’ Under-17 javelin throw saw Anderson Peters of Grenada taking the top spot with 64.01m. Bahamian Travis Ferguson was second with 58.76 and Grenadian Mickel Joseph, third with 57.24m.

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