Jamaica breaks records at CARIFTA games

Three Jamaicans shatter records at CARIFTA Games

The Jamaican trio of Shannon Kalawan, Shiann Salmon and Zico Campbell kept powerhouses Jamaica’s name in the headlines when they broke records in Sunday’s evening session at the 45th CARIFTA Games here inside the National Athletics Stadium. Kalawan, who led from the first hurdle in the Under-20 girls 400 metres hurdles, dominated the four-athlete field to run away winner in in 56.29, beating the 13-year old championship record of 56.61 set by Jamaican Camille Robinson. Kalawan opened her lead on the backstretch and entered the straightway ahead, beating the British Virgin Island’s Lakeisha Warner (58.14) into second and Jamaica’s Nicolee Foster (58.34) into third. In the Under-18 400m hurdles, Salmon, who was challenged into the straight, held on for a time of 59.50 to beat last year’s mark of 59.55 set by fellow Jamaican Junelle Bromfield. Sanique Walker, also of Jamaica, finished strong in 59.60 to take the silver medal while Gabrielle Gibson of Bahamas ended third in 61.16. Campbell, representing Jamaica at his first CARIFTA Games, got his record in the Under-18 boys’ shot put. He threw 17.75m to beat the old mark of 17.56m, set last year by Isaiah Taylor from Trinidad and Tobago Meanwhile, Barbadian Rasheeme Griffith clocked 52.22 and his teammate Nathan Ferguson, 53.56, finished one-two in the Under-18 400m hurdles final.