Nolex Holder and Tiana Springer showcased exceptional performances at the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Senior National Championship, held at the newly resurfaced national track and field center in Edinburg, West Coast of Demerara.
After years of disrepair, the national track and field center, commissioned by former President Donald Ramotar, has received a much-needed facelift under the Ministry of Youth Sport and Culture.
This revitalized facility provided the stage for the country’s top senior and junior athletes to excel over the past three days.
Nolex Holder, a standout athlete in the championship, secured the sprint double by winning the 100- and 200-meter finals.
In the 100 meters, he delivered a blazing performance, clocking an impressive 10.36 seconds to outshine competitors Akeem Stewart and Shamar Horatio, with top junior Ezekiel Newton finishing fourth.
In the 200 meters, Holder finished in 21.07 seconds, with Horatio in second place and Stewart in third.
Holder expressed that the responsibility fell on him to seize the title, especially with Emmanuel Archibald currently abroad in pursuit of Olympic qualification for the next year.
Tiana Springer dominated the women’s 200 and 400 meters, edging out Keliza Smith with a time of 24.19 seconds in the 200 meters, while Smith came in a close second at 24.24 seconds.
In the 400 meters, Springer secured victory with a time of 55.31 seconds, with Nerissa MacPherson taking third place.
Springer emphasized that she is just getting started and has her sights set on the Inter Guiana Games and National Schools Championship.
Keliza Smith, however, claimed the women’s 100-meter title a day earlier in 11.66 seconds, with Cassie Small in second place and Springer in third.
In the final analysis, the Police were declared the champion club, followed by the Guyana Defense Force in second place and the Running Brave Athletics Club in third.
Shantel Brown of the Police Progressive Sport Club, who excelled in high jump, triple jump, and placed second in the women’s javelin throw, was named the female champion.
Jermaine Simmons of the Guyana Defense Force, who secured silver in javelin and won the shot put and discus events, was named the male champion.
Other notable winners included Semeon Adams in the 400 meters, Joanna Archer in the 1500 meters for women, Annalisa Redmond who clinched the long jump and took bronze in the 200 meters, Mark Nicholson in the 10000 meters, Nicholas Daw in the 800 meters, and Cleveland Thomas in the 5000 meters.