Four gold, one record - Guyana ends CARIFTA Games campaign with six medals

Four gold, one record – Guyana ends CARIFTA Games campaign with six medals

Apr 07, 2026 Sports

Tianna Springer (L) and Malachi Austin won gold in the U20 400m in their final CARIFTA Games. (Photo compliments: Run It)

By Rawle Toney

Kaieteur Sports – Guyana concluded its campaign at the 53rd CARIFTA Games in St George’s, Grenada, with an impressive haul of six medals (four gold, one silver, and one bronze) highlighted by a record-breaking performance in the Mixed 4x400m relay and standout individual displays from its young stars.

Represented by a 24-member team under the guidance of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), the Golden Arrowhead nation delivered moments of brilliance across the three-day championships at the Kirani James Stadium, firmly establishing itself among the region’s top junior athletics programmes.

Leading the charge were Olivia Solomon, Tianna Springer, Malachi Austin, and the Mixed 4x400m relay team, all of whom struck gold in commanding fashion.

Guyana’s most emphatic statement came in the Mixed 4x400m relay, where Tishawn Easton, Akeela Dover, Malachi Austin, and Tianna Springer combined for a sensational run of 3:20.79.

Olivia Solomon is all smiles on the podium with her U17 800m gold. (photo compliments: Shaconeil Burnette)

The quartet not only won gold but also shattered Guyana’s previous CARIFTA record of 3:23.51, set in 2024.

On the individual front, Tianna Springer once again demonstrated her class, storming to victory in the Girls U20 400m in 52.47s, as the 18-year-old University of Georgia extended her remarkable unbeaten streak in the 400m at the CARIFTA Games.

Springer’s win capped a stellar junior career that includes U17 gold in 2023 and multiple U20 titles.

Malachi Austin also delivered a fitting farewell to the CARIFTA stage, powering to gold in the Boys U20 400m in 46.01s as the LSU freshman picked up his second CARIFTA gold medal, improving on last year’s silver and solidifying his status as one of Guyana’s premier quarter-milers.

Olivia Solomon in action in the Girls U17 1500m (photo compliments: Run It)

The final gold medal came courtesy of Olivia Solomon, whose electrifying performance in the Girls U17 800m brought the curtains down on Guyana’s medal campaign. Competing on the final day, Solomon produced a commanding run to stop the clock at 2:10.76, finishing well ahead of Grenada’s Annalisa Brown (2:14.40) and Haiti’s Aisha Wajid (2:14.96).

Her victory not only secured Guyana’s fourth gold medal but also provided a thrilling finale that brought the home crowd to its feet.

Guyana’s medal tally was further bolstered by Jermaine Shepherd, who captured silver in the Boys U17 1500m, and Javon Roberts, who secured bronze in the Boys U20 1500m.

Roberts was also in contention for another podium finish in the Boys U20 800m but narrowly missed out, finishing fourth in 1:52.13.

Elsewhere, Tishawn Easton clocked 21.00 seconds to finish fifth in the Boys U20 200m, while Bryson Anderson placed seventh in the Boys U17 800m final in 2:01.67.

In the field events, Jarel Campbell came close to the podium in the Boys Long Jump, with Omari Welch finishing eighth in the same event.

Guyana’s campaign began on a high note, with five medals on the opening day, setting expectations for a dominant showing.

However, the team experienced a medal drought on day two before rebounding with Solomon’s golden performance on the final day.

Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, who attended the Games alongside National Sports Commission representative Cristy Campbell, praised the team’s overall performance.

He highlighted the significance of the record-breaking relay and commended the athletes for their determination, including those who narrowly missed out on podium finishes.

Guyana’s six-medal performance, Ninvalle noted, reflects the continued growth of its athletics programme and signals a bright future for the nation’s emerging talents on the regional stage.

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Athletics Association, CARIFTA Games, Guyana CARIFTA Games, Olivia Solomon, Tianna Springer

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