The 10 Champs events not to miss

CERTAIN EVENTS always capture the fans’ attention at any championships and this week’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) at the National Stadium should be no different.

This year’s competition is expected to be the most competitive ever, especially among the boys, with thousands of fans in attendance anticipating epic and tantalising performances across all five days.

While all events promise excitement, 10 key events – five for the boys and five for the girls – should be particularly thrilling and keep fans on the edge of their seats.

BOYS

CLASS 1 1500M

This is the clash of the Kenyans as Kingston College’s Brian Kiprop and St Jago’s Ryan Achau prepare for a titanic showdown.

Achau has dominated the event this season, clocking 3:52.06 at the Gibson McCook Relays and 3:54.51 at the Western Relays, and he’ll be looking to go even faster.

In a bold move, Kingston College’s coaching staff has opted for Kiprop to contest this event instead of the 800m, despite only a best of 4:05.78 this season at the Douglas Forrest Invitational meet, leaving him ranked just fourth. Still the KC coaching staff are still confident he can take down Achau. As the defending champion, Kiprop will be determined to retain his title.

Achau’s coach, Davaon Spence, is also exuding confidence, believing his athlete is a lock for the title and that it will take a sub-3:45 performance to beat him. This sets up an electrifying clash, with Kemoy Campbell’s 2010 record of 3:45.54 under serious threat.

CLASS 2 400M

After clocking 47.91 seconds to win at the Camperdown Classic, St Jago’s Rushaine Richards emerged as the early favourite to follow up on his Class 3 title last year.

However, Kingston College’s Jason Pitter stunned the field at the Corporate Area Championships, winning in an impressive 47.73. Also in contention are Jaeden Campbell of Excelsior (48.00) and Calabar’s Diwayne Sharpe (48.13), setting the stage for a pulsating final.

CLASS 1 400M HURDLES

Last year, three athletes went sub-51 in the final, and a repeat seems likely. The current leader is Herbert Morrison Technical’s Trevoy Smith, who clocked 50.82 seconds to win at the Western Championships.

At the Carifta Trials, Jamaica College’s Princewell Martin edged Calabar’s Robert Miller in a tight under-20 battle, winning in 50.84 to Miller’s 50.89. Their rematch with Smith promises a thrilling finish.

CLASS 1 110M HURDLES

Kingston College’s Daniel Clarke is red-hot after winning the under-20 event at the Carifta Trials in a personal best 13.06 seconds, despite clipping several hurdles. The record (13.06) set by Wayne Pinnock (KC) in 2019 is in serious jeopardy.

Calabar’s Shaquane Gordon, third in this event last year, has only lost once this season – to Clarke at the Trials – and will be eager for revenge.

CLASS 2 4X100M RELAY

Following their photo-finish at the Gibson McCook Relays, where Calabar and Kingston College both clocked 41.26 (with Calabar awarded the win), the rivalry is set to reignite.

However, this isn’t just a two-team battle – Jamaica College (winners at the Camperdown Classic in 41.37) and Edwin Allen (third at Gibson McCook in 41.41) will also be in the mix, making this an epic showdown.

GIRLS

CLASS 1 400M

Defending champion Abigail Campbell (Hydel) and Kelly-Ann Carr (Edwin Allen) – the two fastest female high schoolers over this distance – will be locked in a fierce battle.

Carr, undefeated this season, handed Campbell a rare loss at the Central Champs, winning in 52.57, with Campbell second in 52.98.

Campbell will be eager to reclaim her dominance, but Carr, full of confidence, will be looking to prove she’s the one to beat.

CLASS 3 100M

Ferncourt High’s Rihanna Scott and St Mary High’s Shayon Smith will renew their rivalry after their photo-finish at the Carifta Trials, where both clocked 11.73 in the under-17 final with Scott getting the win.

Also in contention are Shannia Campbell (St Jago – 11.91) and Danielle Clarke (Edwin Allen – 11.99), both having dipped under 12 seconds this season, making this an exciting race.

CLASS 2 100M HURDLES

After being upstaged last year by St Jago’s Bryanna Davidson, Wolmer’s Tiana Marshall – undefeated this season – is determined to go all the way this time.

However, she faces another St Jago challenger in Malayia Duncan, who has the two fastest times of the season (13.16 wind-aided, 13.39).

Marshall’s best this season is 13.34 (winning at the Corporate Area Champs), and she’ll be looking to go even faster. Also in the mix are her teammate Akeelah Bell (13.41) and St Jago’s Adora Campbell (13.51).

CLASS 1 100M HURDLES

This event has produced several photo-finishes this season, and another tight battle is expected.

Hydel’s Jody-Ann Daley leads with 13.42, but she will face stiff competition from Santae Wilson (Edwin Allen – 13.44), Bryanna Davidson (St Jago – 13.45), and Kiara Meikle (Holmwood, last year’s silver medallist – 13.48)

With the field so closely matched, a sub-13.30 performance could be needed for victory.

CLASS 3 1500M

Edwin Allen’s Denique Palmer and Sydney Pagon’s Alexia Palmer will renew their rivalry after their thrilling under-17 Carifta Trials final, where Denique clocked 4:47.36 to narrowly edge Alexia (4:44.73).

Their Champs rematch promises another exciting finish.