Vendors cook up a storm
The aroma of soup and corn floated through the air, bringing fond memories of the traditional Jamaican Saturday evening meal, as the vendors prepared themselves for the anticipated crowd that will witness Day Three of Champs 101.
There is nostalgia, and if you have ever experienced that scent which filled your stomach even before you put a spoonful of the delicious meal to your mouth, you should know the feeling.
Some vendors were busy attending to pots, as the steam gradually drifted above it and the scent diffused into the air.
Under the neatly laid tents, each vendor was busy packing, unpacking, shelving and sorting a myriad of products so they can be positioned to attract customers.
The soup however, needs no grand display, because as you enter the main gate to the grounds of the National Stadium you will notice why.
Temperature change at the National Stadium
The wind is chilly, not as heavy as yesterday, and it gives the skin a warm caress.
While some might be fearful that it might rain, the bleachers fans who are sprinkled across the stands might be enjoying the shade after a hot Day Two at Champs.
For officials, athletes and workers who have to walk the grounds of Stadium, it will also be a welcome change in temperature.
Can’t stay away – Jamaican retiree returns to champs
Denys Williams migrated to America in 1965, and when he retired in 2006, he decided that this was his opportunity to travel once again to his homeland.
Born and raised in Mona Heights in Kingston, the former Calabar student has been returning to watch his team compete at Champs every year since 2007.
“Retiring has given me an opportunity to do traveling at my own discretion,” commented Williams, who was decked in a green Calabar t-shirt.
He said he is not proud of Calabar’s performance this year, however that will not dampen his spirit. “I’m having a great time, he said, Champs is just unbelievable!
Pantry Leads Boys Steeplechase Open--- Winner will be crowned today
Sanjay Pantry of St. Jago High School has dominated the steeplechase thus far, and is working hard to win the event today ahead of his competitors.
The Steeplechase is a new event at Champs, and Pantry was the fastest athlete in yesterday’s preliminies with a time of 6:27.89, a new Champs record.
Forty athletes entered the competition but only 32 completed the course. Today only the top 12 will be competing for medals.
At approximately 8:40pm, a champion will be named.
Pantry will face the likes of his teammate Webster Chung who was the second fastest yesterday with 6:33.24, Bejaun Jones and Aaron Lee of Jamaica College who scored 6:37.58 and 6:31.27 respectively.
Traves Smikle Set To Take Gold In Class One Discus
The discus finals are now underway at Champs 101, where athletes are competing for the top spot in the event.
Yesterday, Traves Smikle of Calabar High led the pack after scoring 66.88, shattering his own national junior record and etching his name in history, as the throw was the fourth best in the history of the event.
His competitors will be seeking to upset him, but they have a lot of work to do. Smikle and his former teammate Chad Wright put on a nail-biting battle in the Discus event last year, and had spectators on their feet, screaming and shouting on the top of their voices as several throws from the two athletes moved the event record.
Wright had the final say in the event last year as he heaved 58.6m.
But he has moved on from Champs and Smikle is once again set to prove his abilities of awing the spectators.
Champs mascot entertains spectators
Champsy, the 2011 Champs mascot is entertaining the crowd in the break from the events.
Decked in a yellow costume which complemented by the Champs logo on the front of his shirt, green and black stripe, he obviously is on a journey to entertain.
As he strides through the grandstand, Champsy uses sign language, unusual poses, among other antics to get the attention of the crowd.
Inevitably, those watching smile, and occasionally, a loud laugh is heard. Sometimes there is an outburst as several people watching get consumed by the eye-catching gimmicks.
At one point, he gracefully escorted a woman down the stairs, patiently waiting for her to climb down each step.
Later on, he started a lone warm-up session, on the track, an activity that elicited giggles, laughter and a few raised eyebrows. That was followed by a 100m sprint, giving the impression that he was pulling all the stops to beat his imaginary competitors, much to the amusement of the spectators.
Caught up in the action, Champsy later extended a hand to a woman who was eating peanuts. She was generous enough to give him some, probably because she was curious about how he would get it in his mouth since he was wearing a costume.
Not surprisingly, when Champsy started to eat, all the peanuts fell to the ground!
Hoping That Her strength Will Be Enough
Antonika Drummond is convinced that her strength will set her apart from her competitors when steps into the finals of the Class Three 400m dash later today.
The 15 year old student of Holmwood Technical High said she was in the top three at several meets in the events leading up to Champs.
Her semi-final race was no easy feat, but she managed to win her heat. Nonetheless, Drummond shared her feelings about being the finals “It was hard, but I am glad that I made it.”
Fowler Takes Gold in Long Jump
While long jump is not his favourite event, 14 year old Jevaughn Fowler of Calabar has made the best of the event and his competitors at Champs 101.
Fowler who started long jump in January of this year said he does not regret a minute of the time he took to train. After all, it has paid off, despite the close call on Day Two of Champs.
“It was a bit difficult because I had a 400m at the start of the long jump,” said Fowler. However, he did not allow that challenge to blur his focus. “The long jump was good, I enjoyed it.”
He placed first with a jump of 6.47m, ahead of his competitors Kevonn Nichols of St. Elizabeth Technical High School, 6.37m, and Jaheel Hyde of Wolmers’ Boys who jumped 6.26m.
Calabar’s Michael O’Hara Makes 100m Class Three Finals
Last year Michael O’Hara did not medal at Champs 100. In fact, he placed fifth in the 100m hurdles- the only event he entered.
Disappointed, he went back to the drawing board, and figured that since he is at Champs, why not extend his abilities to other races?
With that, the youngster rebounded this year as he rocketed through the Champs qualifiers with a season’s best of 11.43.
“I feel great,” said a smiling O’Hara after the race which sealed his place in the finals of the 100m Class Three finals.
He said he trained hard and he is intent on keeping the focus so that he can reap the benefits. Meanwhile, O’Hara has his eyes on his competitor Rashaad Saunderson, a student of Kingston College, and one whom he believes is a threat to his victory.
Murphy Wins 100m Finals
As expected, crowd favourite Jazeel Murphy of Brigdeport High took gold in the finals of the Class One 100m dash with an incredible burst of speed that teased the spectators from the moment his name was announced.
It was a nailbiting race which had spectators on their feet from the moment the starting gun was fired, and there was an eruption of celebration as Murphy crossed the finishing line.
He came out on top with a 10.48 finish, ahead of Andrew Fisher of St. Elizabeth Technical High School, who clocked 10.50, and Munro College's Delano Williams, 10.55.
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