AAG third development meet Baird set sights on Tokyo Games

Jan 26, 2020 Sports

By Calvin Chapman

Over 150 athletes took to the Enmore Community Center (ECC) ground on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) yesterday for the third Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) development meet which sped off in glorious sunshine.

Cleveland Thomas (#469) leads Odwin Tudor (#487) and the rest of the pack during the men’s 1000m race that he won.

At the ECC, which is situated opposite the Enmore Martyr’s monument, Sprinter Davin Fraser of the Police Progressive Youth Club (PPYC) and National Javelin record holder, Leslain Baird of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) club turned in notable performances.
In the men’s open 60m dash, Fraser clocked a blazing 6.90s in a big win over the field. His club mate Stephon Boodie was second in 7.04s, while Yannick Williams of GDF was third in 7.11s. Fraser’s rival, Akeem Stewart didn’t compete yesterday but the rivalry between the two speedsters is set to recommence this Saturday at the National Track & Field Center (NTFC) Leonora when the fourth development meet speeds off.

Leslain Baird pitches the javelin during yesterday’s development meet at the ECC ground.

In the open men’s Javelin event, Baird, who missed the business end of last season after suffering from internal hemorrhoids, continued his positive rehabilitation with an impressive performance yesterday. Baird registered a distance of 64.90m, spearing into the heavy Atlantic Ocean breeze while using a short run-up.
Speaking with this publication, the South American Games Silver medalist expressed pleasure with his performance despite being out of competition for a while, “Last year I missed a few big meets, the National Championships, the Aliann Pompey Invitational and the Pan Am games because of this injury but I am getting back to full speed. Currently I am just doing a short run up but I am still throwing a decent distance at 90% effort.”
Yesterday’s meet was Baird’s second competitive outing since returning from injury with last week’s second AAG development meet in the ‘mining town’ of Linden being his first. He further shared with

Tonya Rawlins of GDF (right) crosses the finish line ahead of Cassie Small in the women’s 300m race yesterday at the Enmore ground.

Kaieteur Sport that the AAGs development meets are proving to be very important because he is using them as a precursor to for the international stage/Olympic qualifiers.
The army man will be heading to Jamaica in March to compete in the Digicel grand prix which will also serve as an Olympic qualifier.
When quizzed about his thoughts on the remodeled qualification system of the International Olympic Association (IOC) for the Olympics, Baird posited that it will definitely be a tough challenge since he will have to go some distance better than the 78.65m National record he currently holds in order to make it to Japan with the Olympic Standard set at 85m.
This Saturday’s fourth AAG development meet will be the first even-distance track meet of the year and will also serve as the first Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) junior games qualifier. The 49th CARIFTA games will be held in Bermuda this Easter weekend.