Bmda: Local athletes done good

Bermuda’s junior national athletics squad returned triumphantly from the Caribbean Area Championships in Mexico yesterday having claimed an impressive total of ten medals at the prestigious regional event

The 18 member squad, 14 of whom produced personal best performances in Central America, were given a euphoric welcome at Bermuda International airport by a jubilant crowd of supporters including friends, family, athletics officials and a bubbling Sports Minister Dale Butler.

“I just wanted to come down to congratulate all of them on a truly fantastic effort,” he said.
“Track and field is obviously on the way up and I am very proud of all of them.”

Bermuda earned two gold medals, with Lovintz Tota winning the long jump in the Under-20 category with an effort of 7.23 metres while high jumper Latroya Darrell won the Under-17 division with a jump of 1.76m.

Tota, who reached the long jump qualifying mark for the Junior World Championships in Italy early next month at the Carifta Games in Bermuda in April, completed a memorable championships by running the 100m in 10.54 seconds – a time which will also allow him to compete in the sprint at the Worlds.

“I’m very happy with my performance overall,” he said.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard work and to qualify for two events at the World Championships is obviously something I’m very proud of.”

Tota is the only Bermudian athlete who will compete at the event in Italy, and will be heading to Europe on Saturday along with national athletics coach Gerry Swan.