CHRISTOPHER SAMMY completed a Carifta double by claiming gold in the Boys U17 3,000m final on April 20, on day two of the Carifta Games at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
Sammy won gold in the 1,500m event on day one and came back with glory on his mind yet again.
It was a one-two punch for the hosts with Armani Dillon collecting the silver in a dominating performance to delight the raucous fans in the covered section. The only question to be answered as the race unfolded was whether Sammy or Dillon would get the gold.
Dillon surged in front of the pack, but the lanky Sammy stalked him closely.
But with about 150m to go, Sammy made his move and eased past Dillon. He maintained control of the race, holding off his compatriot comfortably, showing he still had enough in his tank.
Sammy was timed at 9:11.51 with Dillon just behind in 9:12.22.
In a distant third was Guyana’s Ebo Shafir McNeil (9:22.61).
[caption id="attachment_1150708" align="alignnone" width="1024"] TT Carifta medallist Durlaina Rouse. - Photo by Narissa Fraser[/caption]
Speaking after the race, Sammy said Dillon was like a brother to him and TT was able to be entertained because Dillon pushed him.
Sammy said, “The crowd give us energy and we just ‘buss it’ on the last lap.”
TT’s Durlaina Rouse put in a herculean effort to claim silver in the Girls U17 400m hurdles and start the medals rolling for the hosts.
Bahamian Syrmiah Crawley timed her race to perfection to clinch gold in 1:02.85, while Rouse clocked 1:03.48 and Jamaican Alyssa Carty followed in 1:03.62.
Rouse had a strong start alongside Carty, but after the first hurdle, Rouse went guns blazing as she left her opponents playing catch up. But heading into the back straight, Rouse’s energy seemed to wane as Crawley stormed into first place with no one able to catch her. From first place, Rouse slipped to third as Carty also passed her. But after clearing the final hurdle, the TT athlete found a burst of energy to pip her Jamaican rival at the line.
Speaking to the media after the race, Rouse explained what gave her that extra drive in the final metres.
[caption id="attachment_1150707" align="alignnone" width="645"] TT bronze medallist Jenna-Marie Thomas. - Photo by Narissa Fraser[/caption]
“I wanted the gold. Even though I couldn’t get the gold, I say silver would be good. I just slightly watched across and saw she was a little bit ahead. I said, ‘Push, Durliana, push. A little more again and the line right there.’” It seemed to be the impetus TT needed as in the very next race, Jenna-Marie Thomas added to the medal tally with bronze in the Girls U20 400m hurdles. Thomas was not in contention for gold as US Virgin Islands’ Michelle Smith obliterated the field in 56.60 seconds. Shevaughne Thomas of Jamaica got silver in 58.60 while Thomas crossed the line in 59.60.
Thomas said she was thankful for the medal and the home crowd.
“The race was a bit tough. I didn’t really execute like I was supposed to. I had to do a lot of fighting in the end, but I’m here
