Sports

Senior Speedsters Steal the Show at National Games

The Usain Bolt Sports Complex was alive with the roar of the crowd this weekend at the National Senior Games as the athletes set the track ablaze.

The 400m races were a highlight, with familiar names and new stars emerging victorious. Former national sprint queen Amber Cumberbatch proved she’s still got it, winning the Women’s 40-44 category in a commanding 64.69 seconds. In the Men’s 40-44 race, Jude Clarke took the gold with a time of 55.06 seconds, leaving Kenroy Weeks and Jeremy Browne in his wake.

Thora Lorde dominated the Women’s 45-49 category, while Andrew Franklin mirrored her success in the Men’s race, clocking in at 57.50 seconds. Steven Kelleman and Shawn Wilkinson also impressed, both finishing under 60 seconds.

Jane Evelyn secured the win in the Women’s 50-54 category with a time of 75.42 seconds, while Gregg Ward edged out Ryan Best in a thrilling Men’s 50-54 race with a time of 65.88 seconds.

The victories continued to roll in for different age groups. Donna Blackman, Bradley Broomes, Yolanda Alleyne, Leith Daley, Atherley Burrowes, Paulette Broomes, Glindon Workman, Cecil Garnes, and Mark Norville all emerged triumphant in their respective Women’s and Men’s 400m races across the 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80-84 age categories.

Winner of the women’s 75-79 cricket ball throw Alvina Thomas being watched by her fellow competitors as she throws this ball for 28.01m

The 1500m race provided a unique spectacle, with athletes from all age groups competing simultaneously. Phillipa Sylvester stole the show, lapping most of the competition and winning not just the race but also her individual category (40-44). Yolanda Alleyne displayed exceptional stamina, finishing second overall and first in the 60-64 category

Shelly-Ann Sandiford *in the standing broad jump*

In the Men’s 1500m, a strategic battle unfolded. Steven Kellman, who had patiently positioned himself mid-pack, made a decisive move in the final stretch, securing victory for himself (45-49) and leaving the rest of the competitors in his dust. Following Kellman was Bradley Broomes, who claimed both second place overall and the win in the 55-59 category. Terry Carrington, the initial pace setter, held on for third overall and second in the 45-49 category.

Caption: Sophia Mounter leading the way to the finish line in the women’s 60-64 100m

Sports

BARBADOS WINS CWI RISING STARS UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP

by David Harris

Defending champions Barbados defeated Guyana by 44 runs to retain their title in Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Under-19 Championship at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua on Wednesday.

Needing to avoid defeat in their fifth and final match of the tournament to clinch the title, the Barbadian lads scored 209 for eight wickets, before bowling out Guyana for 160 in 45.3 overs.

Barbados were wobbling at 71 for four wickets, after winning the toss and opting to bat. Captain Justin Parris made an attractive 38 runs from 40 balls, the left-handed batsman struck five fours, but his dismissal in the sixteenth over left Barbados in a precarious position. Seth Smith (47) and Rajeev Parsooram (21) repaired the early damage with a crucial fifth-wicket partnership of 61 runs, before Parsooram was dismissed by left-arm pacer Brandon Henry.

After Parsooram’s wicket fell; Smith added 40 vital runs for the sixth wicket with Yuvraj Persaud who made 19, Smith’s rearguard inning ended innings ended when he was dismissed by Henry in the 43rd over, the wicketkeeper/ batsman faced 75 balls and counted four boundaries. Asher Brandford 18 and Zarell Harding 15 not out ensured that Barbados posted a total over 200 runs.

Medium pacer Reyaz Laif took three wickets for 34 runs, he was supported by fast bowler Usain Fredericks two wickets for 53 runs,, and Henry who picked up two wickets for 24 runs.

Chasing 210 for victory, Guyana slumped to 55 for five wickets in the 17^th over as the Bajan bowlers took early wickets; but a defiant knock of 50 runs from Henry briefly give the Guyanese hope. Henry faced 88 balls and lead a lower resistance that saw Guyana to 156 for eight wickets before he was bowled by Parsooram. After Henry was dismissed Guyana’s innings ended quickly.

Brandford captured three wickets for 19 runs with his medium pace; he was supported by fellow medium pacers Joshua Thomas and Parsooram with two wickets for 35 runs and 19 runs respectively, while Parris picked up two wickets with his leg-spin.

Sports

JAYDEN WINS GOLD AT CARIFTA GAMES

by David Harris

Jayden Green captured Barbados’ lone gold medal at the 52nd CARIFTA Games which ended at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, in Mucrapo, Trinidad on Monday night. The 17-year-old student of the Christ Church Foundation School won the Under-20 Boys’ 200 metres at the three -day track and field meeting in 20,93 seconds ahead of Jamaicans Tyreece Foreman (20.95) and Junior Galimore (21.01); Green is the first Barbadian to win the event since Mario Burke in 2015.

The rest of team collected five silver and eight bronze medals with several athletes recording personal best. Barbados won 14 medals at the games, their best performance since the 2016 Games in Grenada where they won 20 medals.

Sports

GET READY FOR THE NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES

Calendar lists all the events from May to September 2025

NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES field events will begin on Saturday, May 31, at Queen’s College, Husbands, St. James, while the road races, involving running, cycling, walking, and skating, will take place on Sunday, June 1, on the Mighty Grynner Highway. Monday, June 9, will see the culmination of the track events at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex.