Cayman Islands’ CARIFTA Team returned to the Cayman Islands on 3 April, 2024 to a hero’s welcome by Tourism Minister, the Honourable Kenneth Bryan, as well as Deputy Chief Officer in Ministry of Tourism and Ports, Mr. Joel Francis.
Shot Put Bronze Medalist Brianna Smith stands with her parents at the Owen Roberts International Airport on 3rd April, after arriving home from the 51st CARIFTA Games in Grenada.
Cayman’s CARIFTA Team returns to Grand Cayman after a triumphant performance at this year’s Games in Grenada, winning 1st and 2nd in the Men’s 100 Meters, as well as Bronze in the 200 and Bronze in th
Stuart Wilson
Cayman’s CARIFTA team returned to the Cayman Island on Wednesday, April 3, to a heartfelt welcome from family and friends, as well as government officials and dignitaries, including Tourism Minister, the Honourable Kenneth Bryan.
History was made once again by the athletes representing, with Cayman’s second gold medal win in the Men’s Under 20, 100 Meters at CARIFTA, supplemented by a silver in the same event.
Davonte Howell (1st place - 100 Meters and Bronze in the 200 Meters) and Jaiden Reid (2nd place - 100 Meters) were the recipients of those honours, respectively, whilst Brianna Smith took home the bronze in the Women’s Under 20 Shot Put event.
The team placed 8th over-all in the medaling for the 51st staging of the CARIFTA Games, which took place in Granada between March 30th and 1st April.
Both of the winning runners could not be present with the Team for their arrival at the Owen Roberts International Airport on Wednesday, as the young men returned to their Universities to continue indoor and outdoor competitive events and scholastic endeavours.
Of the Team’s time and successes on their journey, Cayman Islands Coach, Mr. Tyrone Yen - who accompanied the team on the trip - noted: “The results says it all. This was a fantastic and tremendous team effort and we could not be prouder.
“Last year was part one of making history and now this year is part two. It was a fitting effort for the boys and Brianna. Young Anthony Chin Jr. also did well; placing 4th in his event and Delora Johnson managed to pull off a personal best in the long jump and high jump.”
Brianna Smith told the Caymanian Times about her experience and expounded on what it meant to her to win the bronze in the Shot Put competition.
“My experience was good and our coach has been very supportive with helping me in the warm-ups and competition. I started off bumpy but did a good throw with 12.27 Meters, which got me feeling more confident and after that, I managed to execute a throw of 12.86 Meters.
“I’m very pleased with my overall performance,” she added, noting that her personal best is 12.98.
We appreciate your feedback. You can comment here with your pseudonym or real name. You can leave a comment with or without entering an email address. All comments will be reviewed before they are published.
Comments (0)
We appreciate your feedback. You can comment here with your pseudonym or real name. You can leave a comment with or without entering an email address. All comments will be reviewed before they are published.