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by pltm
(PLTM) - With one day of competition remaining for the Virgin Islands’ athletes at the 23rd Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Barranquilla, Colombia, the Territory’s senior athletes have set new records for the Games and for the nation so far, as they secured three medals of gold, silver and bronze.
According to the BVI Olympic Committee, last night, Kyron McMaster, ranked by the IAAF as the third fastest man in the world, set a new CAC Games record when he won the gold in the 400m hurdles with his second fastest time of 47.60. The new record, set in the final race of the night, surpassed the standing eight-year-old Games record of 48.47 by almost one second.
On Monday evening, Chantel Malone leapt her way to a silver medal in the long jump with a seasonal best of 6.52. This was her second medal of the CAC Games after winning gold in the same event in 2014.
The first win for the VI and new national record was set with Eldred Henry’s bronze medal finish in shot put on Monday night, when he hurled the orb a distance of 20.18m to break his previous national record of 20.00m.
This is the fifth consecutive CAC Games in which the VI has won gold medals, starting with Dion Crabbe in the 100m at San Salvador 2002. Tahesia Harrigan-Scott continued the gold medal win when she came first in the 100m at Cartagena 2006 and again at Mayaguez 2010. Chantel won the fourth gold in long jump at Mexico 2014 and now the VI has its fifth gold with Kyron’s win.
It is the first time at the CAC Games that the Territory’s athletes have won 3 medals.
“It has been quite emotional here as we celebrated the 3 medals won at these games so far. I am exceptionally proud of the athletes’ achievements and I and the VI delegation are looking forward to cheering on Ashley Kelly, Trevia Gumbs and Kala Penn in their upcoming events. I know the same is true for all their supporters back home and elsewhere.” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVI Olympic Committee.
Ashley Kelly will run in the 400m finals tonight while Trevia Gumbs will compete in the shot-put final and Kala Penn in the triple jump.
“To date, all 13 of the VI’s senior and national athletes at Barranquilla 2018 have competed in their track and field events and a full report will be distributed at the conclusion of the Games but I can confirm that all athletes have worked hard and have been excellent ambassadors for the territory,” said Cleave Farrington, Chef de Mission for Barranquilla 2018.
He added, “We have Kyron’s medal ceremony later today followed by 3 more track and field events which we are excited about. The majority of the delegation will depart Colombia tomorrow.”
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