Brooklyn Lyttle Wins Historic CARIFTA Gold for Belize in Long Jump

Belize is celebrating a historic breakthrough on the regional athletics stage, after teenage standout Brooklyn Lyttle captured gold in the long jump at the CARIFTA Games 2026, marking the country’s first-ever gold medal in that event. Competing in the Under-20 category, Lyttle delivered a winning leap of 6.16 metres, outpacing athletes from across the Caribbean to secure the top podium finish.  The performance not only earned Belize a gold medal but also placed the young athlete firmly among the region’s rising track and field stars.  The CARIFTA Games, widely regarded as the Caribbean’s premier junior athletics competition, brings together more than 20 nations annually and has historically produced world-class athletes.  Against that backdrop, Lyttle’s victory represents a significant milestone for Belizean athletics, a program that has traditionally faced challenges in funding, training facilities, and international exposure.  Just two years ago, at the 2024 CARIFTA Games in Grenada, Lyttle had secured bronze in the Under-17 long jump, while fellow Belizean Demetrie Myers earned gold in the 3000 metres.   Lyttle’s development over the past two years has been notable. The 17-year-old Belizean athlete already holds national marks in the long jump and has consistently improved her distances on the international circuit, signaling strong potential for future senior competition.