– Hooper records PB in long jump

By Ravin Singh in Jamaica

Three Guyanese athletes currently pursuing studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, Jamaica, claimed seven gold medals and one silver at the institution’s 60th annual intramural sports on Thursday.

It was national high-jumper, Natreena Hooper, who was first to demand the spotlight early in the day by copping gold in the women’s long jump with a leap of 5.59m – a new personal best for her. She then shifted her attention to high jump, clearing a height of 1.83m and securing yet another gold medal in that event.

Later in the afternoon, the track and field star headed for the pit again to compete in the women’s triple jump. Her jump of 12.02m went unmatched for the day and she recorded a triple win overall.
Hooper was also named champion girl on Thursday, along with Jamaica’s Isheka Binns who also grabbed three gold medals.

Sprinting sensation Emanuel Archibald, who recently bested Yohan Blake at a track meet, proved once again that he is the fastest 100m sprinter at UWI, Mona.
Archibald utilised the power of his strides to propel him to victory in a time of 10.51 seconds, copping another gold medal. Earlier in the day the long jumper cleared a distance of 7.65m which was enough for him to secure gold in that event.

Archibald also ran a blistering 200m leg in the men’s 1600m medley relays to give his team a fighting chance. They claimed silver, bringing his total medal count to three.
Archibald explained that the race was a relatively “easy one” for him and that the goal was to correct his drive phase and transitioning.

Owen Adonis claimed gold in the men’s 200m with a time of 21.68 seconds, the fastest of any UWI athlete this season. That time also makes him the fourth fastest outdoor 200m sprinter this season in South America.

Before the curtain was drawn on the day’s event, Adonis bagged gold in the men’s 4x100m relays, bringing the total medal count for Guyana to eight, which included seven gold.
The three athletes, including national javelin record holder, Leslain Baird are expected to participate in the Digicel Grand Prix in Jamaica today.