Medals galore on the third day at the 2023 Trinbago Commonwealth Youth Games

Men's high jump

The English contingent at the 2023 Trinbago Games didn’t need to wait long to kickstart the celebrations on day 3 as first-up on the field Ethan Glyde (Denis Doyle, City of Plymouth AC) dominated in the men’s high jump to win gold with a leap of 2.06m.

Keeping his cool, Ethan was patient not opening his competition until 1.95m which he cleared with ease. After clearing 2.03m first time and the Trinidad and Tobago athlete in 2nd place failing on the third attempt, it was a solo trial to see exactly how high Ethan could go, eventually bowing out at 2.06m after three failures at 2.09m.

Speaking on his competition, Ethan said:

“It’s incredible, a lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into this competition and to come out on top is amazing after the journey I have been on this year. I would have liked to take the record but a win like that is still incredible.”

Women’s 400m hurdles

The first final of the night on the track saw England dominate, securing the full set of medals across the women’s and men’s 400m hurdles. A sensational run from Steph Okoro (Tony Benton, Havering AC) saw her not only win the gold with a shiny new PB, but also smash the Commonwealth Youth Games Record by over one second in a time of 58.19. Remaining composed throughout the race Steph powered off the final hurdle to win by a two second margin. An unfortunate stumble over the final hurdle from South Africa’s Tumi Ramokgpoa saw England’s Mia Walker (Wirral AC, Andrew Fraser) hold form to pip the South African athlete on the line and take the silver medal.

After the event we caught up with the ladies:

“It is a PB and a gold medal, after the race I wasn’t sure how I performed but I am very happy,” explained Steph. “It has been a very different climate to adapt to and train in, but it worked out well. This race has to top my career so far.”

“I can’t believe it,” added Mia. “I came here ranked 4th, I wasn’t chosen originally for the team, but the amazing athlete Arabella Wilson unfortunately couldn’t be here."

This medal means a lot to me. This has been the best performance I have ever done, it is a two second PB and I can’t really believe this has happened.”

Men’s 400m hurdles

The success didn’t stop there as Rugby and Northampton’s Oliver Parker (James Wright) completed the set, taking the bronze medal in his 400m hurdles final. A false start by the Australian athlete led the field to be recalled. But getting underway cleanly the second time, Parker had a fantastic start. Entering the final straight in fifth place, Oliver had some ground to make up, but a sensational sprint off the final hurdle saw a tight photo finish and tumble over the line with the Australian athlete Matthew Hunt who ran the race under protest.

Women’s javelin final

Over on the in-field, England’s Ayesha Jones (Janina Pownall, Marshall Milton Keynes AC) and Harriet Wheeler (David McKay, West Cheshire Athletic Club) were contesting the women’s javelin final. The pair certainly asserted their dominance over the event with Ayesha Jones throwing an unbeatable 52.49m in the third round to secure a new Games record and personal best, bettering the previous record by 50cm! Also saving her best throw for the third round, Harriet’s staggering 51.50m attempt saw her better her own personal best by almost one metre! After the event, we caught up with them:

“I loved the experience, throwing in another country is always special and to get a PB is very nice,” said Ayesha.

On flying the flag for England, Harriet said:

“It has been a pleasure representing England. It is my third time representing England but my first time at an international competition, it is brilliant. I could not be more proud.”

Women’s 100m hurdles and men’s 110m hurdles

The penultimate events on the track included the 100m and 110m hurdles, where Team Captain Thea Brown (Joanne Harding, Sale Harriers Manchester) and Noah Hanson (Carl Graham, Newham & Essex Beagles AC) would be flying the flag for England. Up first, Thea remained composed throughout the race, gradually picking off her competitors before securing the silver medal from South Africa with a spectacular dip for the line in a brand-new personal best time of 13:53.

Post-race Thea said:

“I have never felt so excited and the atmosphere I just can’t explain. At the start line knowing everyone from home is watching ready to cheer you on. It is one of the happiest moments of my career.”

Following in Thea’s footsteps, teammate Noah Hanson executed a fantastic race, battling it out with eventual winner Jamaica’s Shaquane Gordon who set a new Games record. Neck and neck until the line, it was just the dip which saw Hanson secure silver with a brand-new PB of 13.20. We spoke to an elated Noah after the race:

“I am buzzing! It was a really tight race. I’ve not had a lot of competition in England this year, so I knew I had to raise my standards. It is looking good for the future. When I walked out, I could hear the team shouting and it gave me such a buzz. Watching them run earlier and get medals, it made me want to do the same. It is my first international and it’s a great steppingstone into senior level.”

Women’s T38 long jump final

Despite it being her second event of the week, Maddie Down (Dominic McNeillis, Halesowen), showed no sign of fatigue, posting her furthest jump of this year to take the gold medal. Sitting consistently around the 4.50m mark, it was the final round which saw her extend her lead to a fantastic 4.70m. Also, in her second event of the week, England’s Rosie Porter (Cathy Walker, Herts Phoenix) struggled slightly with no jumps throughout the competition but still managed to jump a fantastic 3.50m to finish just outside of the medal spots in 4th place.

800m semi-finals and 200m semi-finals

Amongst all the final action on day three, the 800m semi-finals and 200m heats and semi-finals were taking place with spots up for grabs for four of the Team England athletes. First up the men’s 800m saw Miles Waterworth (Bruce Warren, Brighton Phoenix) hold off the Ugandan and Canadian athletes to finish first qualifier in a time of 1:54.26. In the women’s 800m Phoebe Gill (Deborah Steer, St Albans AC) (2:05.83) and Alice Bennett (Shane Smith, Kettering Town Harriers) (2:09.27) both cruised through to the final in first and second place respectively.

In the men’s 200m prelim, a lightning start saw Rusciano Thomas-Riley (Ronnie Williams, Coventry Godiva Harriers) in the lead heading into the straight before easing over the line in first place. Rusciano maintained his form into the later semi-final taking the top spot in a time of 21.31 – safely into tonight’s final.

4x400m mixed relay

The final event on the track saw the quartet of Alex Beck, Charlotte Henrich, Stanley Chevous and Steph Okoro take on the mixed 4x400m relay semi-final. Finishing two seconds clear of second place Australia, the team have secured a solid place in today’s final.