THE Army’s Wayne Harlequin and Police’s Jevina Sampson’s exciting wins in the men’s and women’s 800m races, respectively, set the tone for a suspenseful day that saw the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) claim the lead ahead of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in the Inter-Service Annual Athletics Championships which continued yesterday at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.This year’s battle for supremacy promises to be a close one between the defending champions GDF and the GPF; and so far things are definitely living up to expectations.
After the third day of competition in the four-day event, GDF ended with 454 points, after 29 finals. The Army’s tally represents a mere two-point lead over the Police. Holding on strong for third place with 54 points are the Guyana Fire Service, while the Guyana Prison Service have 41 points and City Constabulary ended with 34 points after the 29 finals.
The GDF have been creeping up on the policemen ever since Police etched out a 47-point lead on the events of the opening day of competition last Sunday. By day two, on Tuesday, GDF had closed the gap to 11.5 points.
It was major wins in the men’s 800m and triple jumps that saw GDF shooting to the fore in the points standing, yesterday.
The men’s 800m was a true scorcher. Harlequin went out blazing and held the pace throughout the race.
Harlequin clocked a time of 1:55.80s
Feeling that Harlequin’s teammate Cleveland Forde, was the man to beat the other athletes realised all too late that Harlequin was making his way for the win. Police Winston Dummett made an attempt to pursue Harlequin with 300m to go but it was all too late.
Coming down from fourth, with about 100m to go, Forde and GPF’s Trevor Scotland picked up the pace and charged for the finish line but the win was already Harlequin’s.
Harlequin clocked 1:55.80m for the win, while Forde took second in 1:56.80m, and Scotland was third in .1:57.90s. Dommett ended in fourth just behind Scotland, clocking 1:57.90s.
In the women’s 800m, Sampson also took a come-from-behind victory over Army’s Andrea Foster, who won the women’s 3 000 on Tuesday. Sampson won the race in 2:16.70m, while it took Foster 2:27.00s.
The men’s triple jump was another enthralling event as GDF’s Doman Williams reached 15.02m in his best leap. Second place also went to GDF after Patrick King covered 14.67m.
On the distaff side, Army were in first and second again. Topping the event was Natreena Hooper with 13.08m while Letitia Myles was second place with 11.24m.
Police prevailed in the men’s distance medley, with GDF finishing second.
Meanwhile in the heats of the day, Army’s Rupert Perry and GPF’s Winston George made their way into tomorrow’s 200m after topping their heats. Also through to the finals are Army’s Akeem Stewart and Davin Fraser as well as GPF’s Kevin Abbensetts and Owen Wilson.
The women’s 200m will be between Army’s Natreena Hooper, Aniquah Powley and Olana Grant, along with Police’s Jevina Sampson, Deja Smartt, Tiffany Carto and Constabulary’s Shelby Gladstone and Wanita Barnwell.

By Tamica Garnett