Austin, Springer and Hinckson deliver gold for Guyana

MALACHI AUSTIN, Tianna Springer and Athaleyha Hinckson led Guyana’s charge on the 51st CARIFTA Track and Field Championships opening day in Grenada.
Austin and Springer produced blistering performances to win gold in the U-20 400m finals, while Hinckson won gold in the U-17 final on Saturday evening at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium.

Austin won his Boys’ final in a personal best time of 46.35 seconds, while Springer clocked a world-leading 52.31 seconds for her golden run.
Austin became the favourite after Jamaican Javaughn Pinnock was shown the red card after a false start.

Jamaica still earned a podium spot, thanks to Marcinho Rose (46.59 seconds), followed by Grenada’s Joshiem Sylvester (46.93 seconds).
More so, Springer, who won gold in the U-17 event in 2023, sparkled once again as she ran a controlled race to beat Jamaican pair Abigail Campbell (52.85s) and Shanque Williams (53.03) for the top spot on the podium.

Meanwhile, Hinckson clocked 11.44 seconds to win her first CARIFTA Gold after missing out in 2023.
Jamaican Adora Campbell (11.52s) and Barbadian Aniya Nurse (11.76s) rounded off the podium.

Additionally, U-17 athletes Marissa Thomas and Kaidon Persaud were the other Guyanese to reach a sprint final.
Thomas clocked 58.51s to finish seventh in her 400m race, while Persaud was sixth in 49.56s.
The competition continues today from 09:00h.