Afi Blair achieved his long-awaited goal, delivering a stunning victory over rival Kaidon Persaud in the boys’ under-20 400m final at the National Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships.
Blair, representing the Government Technical Institute, clocked a blistering 48.82 seconds, narrowly edging out 2024 CARIFTA Games medalist Persaud (49.01s) of Linden Foundation. Jomal Kesney (50.50s) of New Amsterdam Technical Institute rounded out the podium on Wednesday at the National Track and Field Facility, West Coast Demerara.

The girls’ under-20 400m saw Kenetha Fraser of McKenzie High School triumph with a time of 1:01.27s, defeating Nyosice Wright (1:01.30s) of Vryman’s Erven and Lashanty DeSouza (1:07.60s) of Manchester Secondary.
In the boys’ under-17 400m, Dequan Farrel of McKenzie High School delivered a spectacular performance, clocking 48.90 seconds to beat Ade Sealy (48.93s) of Brickdam Secondary in a photo finish. Ackel Henry (51.94s) of Vryman’s Erven secured third place.

Jada LaCruz of Waramuri dominated the girls’ under-17 400m, finishing in 1:02.45s. Shaquana Redmond (1:03.13s) of Cummings Lodge Secondary and Somayia Orna (1:04.99s) of Mackenzie High School completed the podium.
Meanwhile, Kelerah Peters of Christianburg Wismar Secondary won the girls’ under-15 400m in 1:02.39s, followed closely by Shania Thompson (1:02.56s) of The Bishops’ High School and Areanna Bart (1:06.53s) of Stewartville Secondary.

Ester McKinnon of Uitvlught Secondary showcased her endurance in the girls’ under-17 1500m, winning in 5:18.40s. Adanya Glen (5:42.15s) of North Georgetown Secondary and Vanessa Francis (5:54.39s) of Mararunau Secondary completed the top three.
Romarion Wolfe of Presidents College also triumphed in the boys’ under-14 High Jump, clearing 1.66 meters.

Jedidiah Hopkinson of The Bishops High and Courtney Haynes of Corentyne Secondary secured the other podium positions.

The end of the evening belonged to the schools of District 10 (Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani) as their pupils dominated the 4x100m relays.
The event will conclude today, focusing mainly on the 200m, 800m, and then the 4x400m relay finals.