By Tyriq Walters
The fifth edition of the AP Invitational at the National Track and Field Center in Leonora saw competitive performances from athletes across over 10 nations, although Olympic qualification standards remained elusive.
Joseph Amoah of Ghana stood out in the men’s 100m event, clinching victory with a time of 10.35 seconds, successfully defending his AP Invitational title.
Guyana’s Emanuel Archibald followed closely behind at 10.37 seconds, with Alexander Ogando of another 0.04 seconds adrift in third place.
Following his win, Amoah expressed satisfaction with his performance but acknowledged room for improvement in future races, particularly in his starts.
In the women’s 100m dash, Trinidad and Tobago’s Michelle Lee Ahye secured first place with a time of 11.49 seconds, narrowly missing the Olympic standard by 0.426 seconds.
Overseas-based Guyanese athletes Jasmine Abrams and Keliza Smith claimed second and third places with times of 11.53 and 11.55 seconds, respectively.
Guyana’s Deshana Skeete delighted home supporters by dominating the women’s 200m race, clocking 23.64 seconds and solidifying her position as a promising athlete in the Caribbean.
Aliya Abrams, another overseas-based Guyanese athlete and Olympic hopeful, delivered an impressive performance in the women’s 400m race, finishing in 52 seconds.
Despite missing the automatic qualification mark for Paris by just over a second, Abrams expressed contentment with her performance, highlighting her aggressive strategy in the first half of the race.
In the men’s 4 x 100m relay, Trinidad and Tobago secured first place with a time of 39.08 seconds, followed by the Dominican Republic at 39.32 seconds, and Guyana in third place with 39.71 seconds.
The AP Invitational showcased spirited competition and notable performances, setting the stage for continued athletic excellence in the region.