Simmonds withdraws from Nationals
Spectators at the Sir Vincent Beache National Stadium who are expecting to see National Record holder Earl Simmonds in the mix for the medals at the TASVG Wendell Hercules National Championships have been dealt a blow.
This, as Simmonds indicated today that he has been forced to withdraw from the competition next weekend due to injury.
He suffered a torn quadricep muscle earlier in the season, and appears to have aggravated it while training.
He was saddened at having to inform the country about his decision, but says his focus now will be on recovery.
Despite Simmonds not being in the line up, the Men’s 100m still boasts a stacked field.
At the tip of most persons tongues is “The Fast Kid” Keo Davis.
The 2022 Carifta Games bronze medalist blazed to a +2.9 m/s wind aided 10.23 win, at the 2025 Whitsuntide Games in Grenada last month. He accomplished this feat after returning from a hamstring injury during the 200m final in the National Junior Championships, which kept him out of this year’s Carifta Games.
Also in the field will be AJ Delpesche, who was 2nd to Davis in Grenada, in 10.31.
Making an impressive return to form is Kyle Lawrence, who has dropped his pb down to 10.46 after one season at South Plains College, in Texas.
National 60m Record Holder, McKish Compton is also in fine form, with a season’s best 10.37 this year.
U20 speedster, Jmar Saunders will also be putting it all on the line, clocking a 10.53 personal best this year.
There will also be regional firepower added to this year’s championships.
2 athletes from Paraguay have registered to take part in the sprint events.
They are Jhulimer Sanchez, who boasts a Mens 200m pb of 21.06, and Xenia Heibert with pb’s of 11.61 and 24.12 in the Women’s 100m & 200m respectively.
Participation is also expected from Grenada and Antigua & Barbuda.
No Shafiqua for Wendell Hercules
One notable absence from the National Championships is that of 800m runner, Shafiqua Maloney. This is due to a Wanda Diamond League clash on the 19th.
The initial date set for the TASVG Wendell Hercules National Championships was July 26th & 27th. However this had to be revised, and the Championships brought forward by a week, because of SVG’s hosting of the 2025 CBN/WINLOTT Winward Islands School Games, whose Athletics competition is is slated to kick off the games on the 26th.
The 2024 Paris Olympian, along with athletes here at home, will be seeking qualification for the World Athletics Outdoor Championships, in Tokyo, Japan from Sept 13-21.
