A number of field athletes put their names in the hat for consideration for the 2025 Carifta Games when they achieved the qualifying standard on the first day of the Carifta trials at the Hasely Crawford Stadium training field in Mucurapo on April 4.
Up to press time, the Carifta standard in the varying events was met on at least 20 occasions, with a couple of former Carifta medallists achieving the standard in more than one event.
TT will host the Carifta Games from April 19-21.
D'Abadie Progressive Athletic Club's Adrianna Quamina and Burnley Athletics' Peyton Winter had healthy battles in the girls' under-20 discus and shot put events, and their efforts saw them meeting the respective standards for this month's games.
[caption id="attachment_1147810" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Jaheem Homer of RSS Southern TF competes in the boys U20 javelin, 800g, at Carifta trials, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, April 4.[/caption]
The 18-year-old Quamina, a bronze medallist at the 2022 Carifta Games, was one of three athletes to surpass the 39.21-metre Carifta standard in the discus throw as her 45.56m effort earned her top spot. Zenith Athletics' Ruth Irvine (41.17m) and Winter (40.78m) placed second and third.
In the under-20 shot put, Nattaly Lindo (13.56m) led the trio of athletes who got past the 11.74m qualifying mark, with Winter (13.25m) and Quamina (12.45m) finishing second and third. Winter, who earned a silver medal in the girls' under-17 shot put at the 2024 Carifta Games in Grenada, will be hoping to make her mark as she makes the age group jump.
Quamina, who competed alongside her sister Sofia Quamina, also wants to soar to new heights.
"My first event today was the discus throw. I already knew what I wanted. I had actually made the standard before and I knew I wanted to go past that because I actually wanted to aim for other standards, which I believe I did make," Adrianna told Newsday between events.
"It was a bit difficult because I did make the standard with my first throw. But the distance I wanted, I only made it on my third or so throw. I did feel good because I felt a kinda relief as I did exactly what I wanted and executed what I wanted to."
If selected to represent TT at another Carifta Games, Adrianna has clear plans on her mind.
"Everybody wants to get gold and everybody wants to win, so obviously I will try my best to get there. The main thing is to just keep getting better distances. The main thing is to always keep going up."
Over 500 athletes are expected to participate in the trials, and National Association of Athletics Administration (NAAATT) first vice-president Paul Voisin explained how the selection criteria works for the games.
[caption id="attachment_1147809" align="alignnone" width="944"] Akala Melville of IG Fastlane participates in the girls U20 long jump, at Carifta trials, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, April 4.[/caption]
"The first criteria for selection will be the trials. The selection committee will present to the board and then
