Junior athletes gear up for Carifta

RAYMOND GRAHAM, Star Writer

SOME of the country's finest junior talents will be on show over the next two days at the National Stadium, starting today at 11 a.m. as they seek places on the country's team for the Carifta Games, which will be held in Martinique between April 18 and 21.

The athletes will compete in the Under-20 and Under-18 categories. It will be the first time athletes will be competing in an Under-18 category, as last year, a decision was made in The Bahamas to change the

Under-17 category to put the games in line with the age levels at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships and World Youth Championships.

After missing last year's championships in The Bahamas due to chickenpox, Calabar High outstanding sprinter, Michael O'Hara, is expected to dominate his two events in the Under-20 category. The World Youth champion in the 200 metres is expected to win and should also capture the 110 metres hurdles.

The male Under-18 category will attract a lot of attention over the next two days. The Kingston College duo of Akeem Byfield and Jhevaughn Matherson will have their hands full as they will face high-quality opponents in both the 100 and 200 metres. St Jago High's Raheem Chambers, who false-started a year ago at the Games, will be a contender in the 100 metres and despite a low-key season so far, has the class to defeat the Kingston College duo.

Another keen battle is expected in the 400 metres. Last year's Class III Champs record holder Nathaniel Bann of Kingston College will renew battle with Calabar High new sensation Christopher Taylor, who, one week ago, became the fastest-ever Class III athlete over the one-lap event after a sensational 48.54 seconds clocking at the Corporate Area Development meet.