Dominica with its for athletes finished with one medal a bronze from Addison James at the 51st CARIFTA Games held at the Kirani James Athletes Stadium in Grenada.
Dominica sent four athletes to the event and secured one medal (a bronze) from Javelin thrower Addison James.
“I think that the athletes, based on the conditions, did their best and some much more than their personal best. We had Addison James going past his personal best throwing more than 7 meters than his previous PB (personal best) to be qualified for the Junior World championships.”
“All in all, the team gave a good account of themselves, the athletes were very disciplined in the way they approached the competition and also the way they carried themselves out of the competition.”
He says “It’s a very young team with two of them attending CARIFTA for the first time (Nian Davis and Jamical Titre) doing very well.”
“If they continue in that quest, with the discipline, working hard and smart, I think that next year the results will be much better in terms of performance…all in all I am very satisfied,” Hamilton stated.
In congratulating the team, Hamilton said the team and the management team including the president (of the Dominica Amateur Athletics Association) (DAAA) Brendan Williams need to be congratulated for the efforts.
He also had high praises for Kerelle Etienne who made it to the finals of the girl’s 100 meters under 17 dash but through injuries came 4th in the finals and was not able to take part in the 200 meters.
Also extending praises and commendation to the athletes is President of the Dominica Amateur Athletes Association (DAAA) Brendan Williams who says with continued hard work and dedication the young athletes have a bright future.
“I am extremely proud of the team’s performances, though we did not get a boatload of medals we were able to secure a bronze through Addison James with a PB of 65.50 and our athletes made the top eight in the Caribbean, we had Jamical Titre coming 5th in his events (shot put and discus) his enthusiasm and the way he approached the competition with confidence, I know in the future he will do a lot better,” Williams said.
He also stated that Kerelle Etienne although injured gave it her best and had she not been injured Dominica would surely have had a medal from her.
“Nian Davis came 9th in his competition and as a 13-year-old that was remarkable and that is why we set standards and yes I am extremely proud of these athletes, we will be releasing the qualifying standards earlier and have more focused camps and assist those who we see came to make the qualifying time.”
However, he was quick to add that it does have a “financial cost” to all of that and they will have to make the intervention and sacrifices to have the athletes out there to showcase their talent on the regional stage.”
“I can make this bold prediction, that in 2025 we will have more athletes and will secure more medals but also the athletes will have to continue to work hard with the support of their coaches and the DAAA who is trying hard and innovative ways to assist the athletes,” Williams remarked.
He also called on those who are minded to criticize that if they want to see the athletes progress “please help it could be in cash or kind come to support them they operate under stress to represent their country so lambasting them on social media or radio does not help.”
Jamaica dominated the 51st edition of the CARIFTA Games in St. Georges Grenada winning a total of 84 medals, 45 golds 23 silver, and 16 bronze, Bahamas second with 35 medals, 9 golds, 13 silver and 13 bronze, Trinidad & Tobago 27 medals, 4 golds, 11 silver and 12 bronze, host country Grenada collected 13 medals, 1 gold, 6 silver, and 6 bronze.
28 countries took part in the event which saw over 600 athletes participating and over 9 records broken.
For Dominica, in the Boys Under 17 Shot Put Jamical Titre also showed good promise and is one to keep an eye for in the future. His 13.77-meter throw in that field was also a personal best.
Nian Davis also a first-timer at the CARIFTA Games is one to look out for in the future. He raised eyebrows with his best of 39.67 meters in the Boys Under 17 Javelin.
At 13, Davis is surely one for the future with the proper guidance and mentorship.
In the track section, 14-year-old Kerelle Etienne is surely a “bright spark” and baring injuries should be a force to be reckoned with.
She blazed her way to first place in the preliminary of the girl’s 100 meters Under 17 dash clocking 12.05 seconds but in the finals running in lane 4 had to settle for 4th place in a time of 11.85 seconds. That event was won by Athaley Hinckson of Guyana at 11.44 seconds with Adora Campbell of Jamaica at 11.52 seconds in copping the silver and Aniya Nurse at 11.76 Barbados bronze.
Adding praises and commendation to the athletes is President of the Dominica Amateur Athletes Association (DAAA) Brendan Williams who says with continued hard work and dedication the young athletes have a bright future.
“I am extremely proud of the team performances, though we did not get a boatload of medals we were able to secure a bronze through Addison James with a PB of 65.50 and our athletes made the top eight in the Caribbean, we had Jamical Titre coming 5th in his events (shot put and discus) his enthusiasm and the way he approached the competition with confidence, I know in the future he will do a lot better,” Williams said.
He also stated that Kerelle Etienne although injured gave it her best and had she not been injured Dominica would surely have had a medal from her.
“Nian Davis came 9th in his competition and as a 13-year-old that was remarkable and that is why we set standards and yes I am extremely proud of these athletes, we will be releasing the qualifying standards earlier and have more focused camps and assist those who we see came to make the qualifying time.”
However, he was quick to add that it does have a “financial cost” to all of that and they will have to make the intervention and sacrifices to have the athletes out there to showcase their talent on the regional stage.”
“I can make this bold prediction, that in 2025 we will have more athletes and will secure more medals but also the athletes will have to continue to work hard with the support of their coaches and the DAAA who is trying hard and innovative ways to assist the athletes,” Williams remarked.
He also called on those who are minded to criticize that if they want to see the athletes progress “please help it could be in cash or kind come to support them they operate under stress to represent their country so lambasting them on social media or radio does not help.”
