Matthew Clarke wins 200m

MatThew Clarke ran a blazing bend and took that momentum all the way through to win the men’s 200m in 20.80 secs on the final day of the Athletics Association of Barbados National Championships.

In fast fading light Clarke had quickly made up the stagger to the 100m champion Kuron Griffith who was on his outside.

But the battle soon ended as Griffith eased down midway in the curve and never made it to the to the straight after feeling some tightness in his left hamstring.

Clarke continued to drive for home keeping his form and his speed all the way to the end and was never challenged after his impressive start.

Second in the race was Jameel Walkes Miller in 21.43 secs and third was Anderson Devonish in 21.71 secs edging out Brendon Hoyte who was fourth in 21.78 secs.

The 2021 Edition of the National Championships came to a disappointing end when the lights at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Usain Bolt Sports Complex were unable to be turned on due to a technical problem. This prevented the relays as well as the men’s open long jump from being contested while the 200m were done in fast fading light, while the 3000m and 5000m was done under the cover of darknes.

The women’s 100m champion Jovanna Gustave was denied the double by Rhea Hoyte who similar to Clarke in the men’s race ran an impressive curve.

Gustave might have had thoughts of repeating what she did in the 100m when she powered her way through the field after she was behind midway through the race but it was not to be in the 200m.

Hoyte never let her back on even terms and crossed the line in 24.50 secs to win. Gustave had to settle for second in 24.83 secs just ahead of Katrina Small who clocked 24.85 secs.

Josiah Parris completed the double after winning the Boys Under-18  400m on Saturday he showed the speed in the 200m winning in 21.77 secs ahead of the 100m winner Amari Knight who clocked 21.99 secs and Amani Mascoll-Beckles in 22.09 secs.

Completing the sprint double was Kishawna Nile who won the Under-18 Girls 200m in 25.15 secs as Nyah Hope was second in 25.63 sec and the 400m winner Brieanna Boyce was third in 25.85 secs. Tionce Walrond was four in 25.86 secs.

There was a fight in the men’s 400m hurdles between Rasheem Griffith and Nathan Fergusson initially but it was Griffith who stood strong and came home to wini n 52.00 secs. Fergusson had to settle for second in 52.44 secs, while Jerrad Mason was third in 53.14 secs.

Mason was third on Saturday in the men’s B final 100m as well.

Tafari Bishop and Rick Williams had a close battle in the 800m but it was Bishop (1:58.09) who pulled away in the end to win over Williams (1:58.36). Daemon Dawson was third in 1:59.88.  There was no catching Sade Sealy in the women’s 800m as she ran away from the field to win in 2:06.96.