Athletes compete in Rome

(CNS): Three Cayman Athletes who competed in the 6th IAAF World Youth Championships in Sudtirol, Italy, came away with an experience that they will never forget. Travis Webb, Andrew Perrin and the Cayman Islands’ only female athlete, Gizel Wright, had fair results in their events, according to the Cayman Islands Athletic Association (CIAA). Perrin managed a 5th place finish in heat 10 of the boys 100m in a time of 11.32s, while Wright finished in 7th place in heat 2 of the girls 100m in a time of 12.87s. Webb equaled his personal best of 2.00m in group A of the boy’s high jump but did not advance to the finals. (Left: Andrew Perrin and Stephane Diagana of France)

Star performers at the Championships, which ended 12 July, were double Gold Medalist Kirani James of Grenada and Jodie Williams of Great Britain. James won the boys 200m and 400m, making him the first at this level to achieve such a feat. In the process, he set a new record of 45.24s in the 400m. Williams added her name to the history books as she is the first girl to ever take the 100m and 200m sprint double, winning both events in world leading times.

CIAA said the Cayman athletes made friends with their fellow athletes from around the world and met with Olympic legends at the IAAF sponsored master class clinic for all participants. In attendance was Mike Powell of the US, world record holder in the long jump; Kajsa Bergovist of Sweden, world in-door record holder in the women’s high jump; Kelly Holmes of Great Britain, double gold medalist in the 800m and 1500m at the 2004 Olympics games; and Wilson Kipketer of Denmark, world record holder in the 800m. (Right: Travis Webb and Lond Jump World Record Holder Mike Powell of US)

The main purpose of the clinic was to hear first hand from these legends of the sport about a wide range of topics including training, drugs, and how to make a career in track and field. These presentations were followed by an interactive session at the warm up track which included demonstrations of various events, tips and training cues, and an autograph and photo session with the stars.

The team was managed Ms. Sana Tugman and coached by Tyrone Yen. They returned to the Cayman on Tuesday 14 July. Below: 100m winner Jodie Williams (left) and Caymans Gizel Wright (right). All photos courtesy of the CIAA.