Kirani James, 17, 45.02sec

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Kirani James wins fourth CARIFTA title

Published: Sunday, April 4, 2010 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, April 3, 2010 at 10:21 p.m.
GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman Island | University of Alabama freshman Kirani James competed for his native country of Grenada at the CARIFTA Games on the Cayman Islands at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex on Saturday.

James began his weekend in the 400m semi-finals where he turned in the fastest time of the day, crossing in 47.83.

Claiming his fourth consecutive 400m gold medal, James clocked a time of 45.02 to best the field once again. His time breaks his meet record that he set at last year’s CARIFTA Games as well as setting a new school record. In addition, the 17-year-old broke a 32-year old 400m school record and now holds both the indoor and outdoor records. The former outdoor record of 45.12 was held by Darroll Gatson, set in 1978.

James will begin his quest for his second 200m gold medal today.

James will compete again in the 200m prelims today at 9:45 a.m. (CDT). Should he advance, the semi-final and final are scheduled for 5:45 p.m. today and 6:45 p.m. on Monday, respectively.

While James continues to compete at the CARIFTA Games until Monday, Alabama will next compete at the Sea Ray Relays in Knoxville, Tenn. on April 7-10.

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Talented bastard :cool:

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GEORGETOWN; Cayman Islands: Trinidad & Tobago’s Jehue Gordon and Grenadian Kirani James completed double victories on Sunday’s final day of the three-day CARIFTA Games staged here at the Truman Bodden Sports complex.

Gordon, a fourth place finisher at last year’s World Championships in Berlin, added the 110m hurdles title, winning in 13.41secs, to his 400m hurdles crown. Both times, 49.79 (400m hurdles) and 13.41 (110m hurdles) were done in championship record times.

Gordon whose new mark erased the 13.42 set by Barbadian World champion Ryan Brathwaite three years ago, said he was in pain doing it.

“I felt a little pain in my hamstring but I tried not to study it. I went out there and kept focused and did what I had to do,” said Gordon, who finished ahead of Barbadian Greggmar Swift, who led for the first 50 metres, but faded to second in 13.75.

James, who took the 400m in a record 45.02 on Saturday’s opening day, returned to cruise home in the half lap event in 20.76.

“It was a bit tough this week but I’m so glad I pulled it off,” said James. “I know that I could have done it (double), because I did it at World Youth and I won both of them so why not give it a try here.”

Rachmil Van Lamoen of the Netherland Antilles was second in 20.90secs.

Jamaican Under-17 sprinter Odane Skeen was also impressive on the day as he raced to an impressive 20.84 200m win to erase countryman Jazeel Murphy’s 20.97 set at last year’s Games in St Lucia. Skeen had earlier won the 100m.

Meanwhile, Jamaica extended their dominance of the championship by ending with 72 medals, which included 37 gold, 22 silver and 13 bronze. Trinidad & Tobago was next with 40 medals, 12 gold, 16 silver and 12 bronze while Bahamas ended third overall with 29 medals, six gold, 10 silver and 13 bronze.

Jamaica also won the girls’ Under-17 200m through Shericka Jackson, who clocked 23.64 to beat her teammate Saqukine Cameron (23.80).

The sprint hurdles also brought huge success for Jamaica. Megan Simmonds led a Jamaican one-two with Shenel Fancis (13.69) as she clocked 13.64 seconds to win the Under-17 girls event while Samantha Elliott sped to a new championship record time of 13.42 in winning the corresponding Under-20 race, ahead of teammate Tonique Sobah (13.55).

In the Under-17 boys hurdles, Davian Dennis just got the better of fellow Jamaican Omar Graham (13.29) to win in 13.28 seconds.