Shanoya Douglas delivered the standout performances of the CARIFTA Games, which concluded on Monday (6) after three days of action in St George’s, Grenada.

The Jamaican sprinter successfully defended her 100m and 200m titles, winning the longer sprint in a world-leading 22.11 (1.9m/s). Not only did it smash Shaunae Miller-Uibo’s Games record from 13 years ago, it propelled Douglas to equal third on the world U20 all-time list, tied with sprint legend Allyson Felix.

It also took 0.25 off the Jamaican U20 record Douglas set in Kingston last month and is the fastest ever time by a Caribbean U20 athlete.

Earlier in the Games, Douglas had won the 100m title in 11.13 (-0.8m/s), and she followed that by anchoring Jamaica to victory in the 4x100m in 43.76.

“I’m super proud of myself that I’m able to come out here and deliver such amazing performances a week after Champs,” said the world U20 200m bronze medallist. “I wanted to break the 100m record actually, but I knew I had to leave the CARIFTA Games with a record as it’s my final year.”

Bermudian sprinter Miles Outerbridge was a surprise winner of the U20 men’s 100m title, running a lifetime best of 10.21 to edge the fast-finishing Nyrone Wade (10.27) of Jamaica.

Jamaica’s 15-year-old Kai Kelly won the U17 boys’ 100m final in dramatic fashion. Jayden Goodridge of Trinidad and Tobago led for 85 metres before over-striding and temporarily losing his balance, which allowed Kelly to come through and win in 10.37 to Goodbridge’s 10.48.

Guyana ruled supreme in the U20 400m finals. Following four faulty starts in the U20 women’s final due to a system failure, Tianna Springer won her fourth consecutive 400m title across the age groups, clocking 52.47.

In the U20 men’s final, Springer’s teammate Malachi Austin prevailed in a thrilling homestretch battle against the spirited Bahamian Zion Davis, 46.01 to 46.18.

“In last year’s final, a Bahamian (Zion Miller) jumped me and I panicked and didn’t react,” said Austin. “This year was about being patient and reacting accordingly, so I when I saw him (Davis) come off the turn before me, I said, ‘this is it, let’s go’.”

Springer and Austin later teamed up in the mixed 4x400m – in what was their third race within a day – to retain their title and smash their own Games record with 3:20.79.

A year after placing fifth, Jamaica’s Shameika McLean gained redemption by winning the U17 girls’ 400m final in 52.47. In McLean’s wake were co-favourites Keyezra Thomas of The Bahamas (52.58) and defending champion Tyra Fenton (Antigua & Barbuda), who claimed bronze in 52.62.

“I feel amazing,” said McLean. “I had stiff competition in this race, it was good and I executed properly.”

Fenton then stepped down in distance and found immediate success, winning the U17 100m and 200m titles in 11.30 (-0.5m/s) and 23.39 (-2.5m/s) respectively.

Jamaica showcased its strength in the sprint hurdles by sweeping all eight finals with Mark-Daniel Allen’s record-setting 13.25 in the U17 boys’ 110m hurdles being the highlight.

In the U20 women’s 1500m final, Barbadian Ashlyn Simmons outsmarted the field by launching an early kick that allowed her to build an insurmountable lead and win in 4:36.94. Despite a strong effort from Jamaica’s Kevon-Gaye Fowler (4:37.39) to close an 80-metre gap, she could not overhaul the long-time leader.

The Bahamians came to life in the U17 4x100m relays with two resounding victories. First, the girls combined speed and efficiency to set a Games record of 44.21. Inspired by their success, the Bahamian U17 boys kept the excitement going for their fans by winning gold in 41.36.

A polished quartet from Trinidad and Tobago claimed victory in the U20 men’s 4x100m in 39.64.

Elsewhere, Jamaica’s Joseph Salmon threw 65.38m to win gold in the U20 men’s discus, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Tyrique Vincent broke his own Games record in the U20 men’s decathlon with 6824.

Barbados brought the curtains down on the championships by winning the U20 men’s 4x400m in a Games record of 3:05.49.

Jamaica continued its dominance of the Games, topping the table with 71 medals, including 28 gold, 27 silver and 16 bronze – its 48th title since the competition began in 1972. Trinidad and Tobago finished second with nine gold, 11 silver and 15 bronze medals, while The Bahamas placed third with eight gold, 12 silver and 10 bronze.

Noel Francis for World Athletics