Trinidad and Tobago long jumper breaks NACAC U18 record

Trinidad and Tobago's Janae De Gannes captured the gold medal and the record in the Long Jump on Saturday at the the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Associations (NACAC) Under-18 Championship held at the Estadio Nacional, San Jose, Costa Rica.

Tobagonian De Gannes broke the record in her first attempt registering 6.11m while blowing away the field from the first jump. She recorded 5.59m in her third attempt, 5.99m (fifth) and 6.06m (sixth). Puerto Rican Legna Edith Alvarez was a close second place following her 6.08m jump and Brooklyn Lyttle (Belize) secured the bronze medal with her 5.72m attempt.

In an interview after copping the gold medal De Gannes said, "I feel amazing. I wanted to break the record and I went out there and did just that.

“It means a lot, I got injured and to come back and win gold, I’m overwhelmed at the moment. I dedicate this (medal) to myself to keep on pushing.”

Also, on Saturday, TT`s Dorian Charles was fifth in the U-23 men`s javelin final. Charles landed the spare at 53.33m with his other throws being 53.02 and 52.02. The event was won by Bahamian Keyshawn Strachan (78.37m) while Americans Dash Sirmon (75.28m) and Braden Presser (72.60m) bagged the silver and bronze medals respectively.

Cheyne West qualified for the final of the U-18 110m Hurdles Final after finishing third in his semis with a time of 13.98 secs which was the fifth fasted overall.