Janae De Gannes earns Commonwealth Youth Games long jump silver

JANAE De Gannes continued her stellar form of late claiming TT's first medal in athletics when she copped a silver medal in the women's long jump when the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games continued on Monday.

Sanaa Frederick added a bronze medal in the women's 100m final at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain for TT.

De Gannes, who broke the NACAC Under-18 meet record last month with a 6.11-metre effort, copped silver in front of her home fans with a 6.07m jump on her second attempt.

Many of De Gannes's TT team-mates positioned themselves close to the long jump pit cheering her on during all six rounds. De Gannes's other jumps were 6.06m, 5.92m, 5.86m, 5.91m and 5.84m. Australian Delta Amidzovski did not only win gold but broke the meet record. She sealed gold with a 6.22m jump on her fourth attempt, before breaking the 12-year record with a massive 6.34m leap on her sixth and final jump. Jazmin Sawyers held the record of 6.27m since 2011. Aussie Grace Krause took bronze with a best effort of 6.01m.

Speaking to the media, De Gannes said, "My parents are here and it is really a great feeling to see the support when I needed it, so I am really grateful to compete in front a home crowd.

"I am satisfied. This is my time. Not everything will go the way you want it, but I am grateful for what I did today and all I could do is thank God."

Amidzovski said, "The Trinidad fans are amazing they definitely get behind everyone."

Amidzovski said she did not make any adjustments to her technique when she broke the record.

Frederick, a 2023 Carifta medallist like De Gannes, eased to victory in semi-final two of the women's 100m event in 11.56 to book a place in the final.

In the final, Frederick finished in 11.48 behind the Nigerian pair of Faith Okwose (11.26) and Justina Eyakpobeyan (11.29).

Frederick and De Gannes celebrated in front of the TT fans together after the former earned the bronze medal. After the race, Frederick said, "It feels good (to compete at home). The crowd is just very encouraging and that made me motivated and confident."

The TT duo of Trevaughn Stewart and Khadeem Ryan initially did not advance to the finals of the men's 100m event.

In semi-final one Stewart finished third in 10.809, but missed out on a spot in the final. Antiguan Dwayne Flemming just managed to qualify for the final ahead of Stewart when he clocked 10.804 which landed him third spot in semi-final two. However, Stewart was given a spot in the final ahead of Flemming. The reason why Stewart was given a spot in the final ahead of Flemming was uncertain.

In semi-final two, Ryan was fourth in 11.02 and did not progress to the final.

The top two finishers in each of the three heats qualified for the final along with the next two fastest times. In the final, Stewart was eighth in 10.79.

The heats in the 400m and 1,500m events were also held with the athletes from Africa dominating the latter event.

Sports is not always about who wins gold, but moments that show sportsmanship and an appreciation for all. In the women's 100m T38 final for para-athletes, Kenyan Faith Kavithi fell with 30m left in the race. After staying on the ground for five minutes, Kavithi got up and finished the race with help from the officials.

The crowd gave Kavithi a standing ovation, while her competitors in the race offered congratulations.

In the men's 100m T38 final, TT's Isaiah Williams finished eighth in 18.91 in a race won by Tomi Roberts-Jones of Wales in 13.27.

On Tuesday, athletics will take place from 4 pm - 7 pm, track cycling will pedal off at the National Cycling Centre in Couva from 1 pm to approximately 3 pm, Fast5 netball from 12.15 pm at Shaw Park, rugby sevens from 9 am also at Shaw Park, swimming at National Aquatic Centre from 10 am - 12.20 pm then from 6 pm - 7.16 pm and triathlon from 8.30 am at Buccoo Beach Facility.