Kuron Griffith beats Mario Burke in showdown

Kuron Griffith crossed the finish line in 10.30 seconds in a headwind to be crowned the 100m National Champion on Saturday night at the University of the West Indies Usain Bolt Sports Complex.

The Men’s 100m was an eagerly awaited final which pitted Griffith against the defending National Champion, Mario Burke.   

Both Griffith and Burke won their heat comfortably and it was the first time many anticipated Griffith would have someone to run against on home soil.

Griffith had been in good form since the return to competition in Barbados, dominating the sprints with only the clock to run against until now.

Burke had been competing in a few events in the USA and was one of the few overseas-based athletes to make the journey home to contest the Nationals.

This year was different due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Usually, track and field athletes hoping to qualify for the Olympics would have to compete at the Nationals in order to be considered for the Barbados team. However, with the challenges presented by the protocols for travelling, among other factors, the athletes were not required to compete at this year’s edition.

Both Burke and Griffith did not get the best start as all eyes were on them in the middle of the track. When they came out of their drive phase it was Burke who held a slight edge on the Griffith as they had already moved away from the rest of the field. But as the two sped down in the middle phase of the race, it was Griffith who sneaked ahead and Burke appeared to lose some of his form. However, Griffith still had to put in the lean at the line as Burke had not faded that far.

Burke, who looked disappointed at the end, had to settle for second place in 10.39 secs, while a distant third was Matthew Clarke in 10.61 secs.

Griffith said that he was able to train on a track for the first time this year the week before the event. He usually trains at Botanical Gardens. He said that he remembered what his coach told him before the race and executed.

“I told myself all I have to do is drive for 30 metres and if anyone was ahead of me I could run past them.”

When he looked up and saw Burke ahead he told himself not to panic and to hold his form.

Burke said that he didn’t react to the gun as he wanted and didn’t get the start he wanted. “I lost to the better man on the day,” he said.

Burke noted that the season and transition from University to going on his own has been challenging, but it is the nature of the job so he has to try and adapt and get back to his best as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the womens title in the 100m went to Jovanna Gustave (12.09 secs) who was behind after 40 metres into the race, but powered past and away from Rickyla Fagan (12.35secs) and Ayanna Morgan (12.37 secs).

The Under-18 Girls' 100m winner was Kishawna Niles in 12.17 secs, ahead of Amani Kirnon (12.60 secs) and Tionce Walrond 12.79 secs.

The Under-18 Boys' 100m was a much closer affair, but it was Amari Knight (10.96 secs) who managed to edge out Justin Maynard (11.03 secs)  and Jamarco Gill (11.13 secs).

Miguel Nicholas won the 400m Men’s race in 48.44 secs, while Aren Spencer was second in 48.63 secs and Savion Hoyte third in 49.63 secs.

Tiana Bowen won the Women’s 400m in 55.90 secs from Sakena Massiah (58.11 secs) and Shadae Worrell (58.17 secs).

Josiah Parris ran an impressive race to win the Under-18 Boys' 400m in 49.22 secs, while Brieanna Boyce won the Girls' event in 58.81 secs.

Kierre Beckles had to fight for the victory in the Women’s 100m hurdles.  Hannah Connell, who made the trip home from the USA, was the early leader of the race after getting out to a good start. She was leading after the fifth hurdle and Beckles started to dig deep to pull her back. Beckles was able to draw closer at the sixth hurdle and between the hurdles had drawn even. However, Connell clipped the seventh hurdle which allowed Beckles to get away with only two hurdles left in the race. Beckles won in 13.51 secs, while Connell had to settle for second in 13.85 secs. Third was Adeyah Brewster in 13.91 secs.

Joshua Hunte won the 1500m Men’s race in 4:10.60 ahead of Rick Williams (4:21.16) and Daemon Dawson (4:26.95). The Women’s 1500m was won by Layla Haynes in 4:43.80.