RIVALDO LEACOCK struck gold for Barbados at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa, winning the men’s 400 metres hurdles in last night’s final.
Coming in with the second fastest qualifying time, the former Lester Vaughan schoolboy turned Foundation student, ran a very competitive 51.12 seconds to beat Jamaican Jauvaney James, who finished second in 51.54.
Harrison Kimpton-Moss of Australia was third in 52.33 and the other Jamaican, Leonardo Ledgister, was sixth in 54.78.
It was Barbados’ second medal, both gold, in the history of this meet. Kierre Beckles also won the 100 metre hurdles in the 2008 edition in Pune, India.
Meanwhile, Damon St Prix smashed a national age group record in the pool.
St Prix finished third in the ‘B’ final of the boys 100 metre freestyle with a new 13-14 boys record time of 53.29 seconds. The previous record was 54.27 seconds set back in 1998 by Damian Alleyne.
The Isle of Man’s Alexander Bregazzi won that ‘B’ final in 52.84 seconds, while Noah Mascoll-Gomes of Antigua and Barbuda was second in 53.24 seconds.
The ‘A’ final was won the Australia’s Vincent Dai who clocked 50.26 seconds. Scotland’s Craig McLean was second in 50.96 seconds and Lewis Clough of England third in 50.98.
The Combermere School student also finished 13th in the 200 metre freestyle in 1:58.90. Makayla Treasure finished 16th in the girls’ 200 metre freestyle in 2:21.13.
Young pugilist Jabali Breedy lost his 52kg quarter-final match against England’s Brandon Doard.
Kiana Marshall also lost her opening round women’s singles tennis match against Papua New Guinea’s Violet Apisah 1-6, 2-6. (JM/PG)