Sprint sensation from Morne Paul leads four-medal haul in record-breaking campaign
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago (April 22, 2025) — Jady Emmanuel has sprinted into history as Saint Lucia’s first-ever double CARIFTA Games sprint champion, powering to gold in both the Under-17 girls’ 100-meter and 200-meter events at the 52nd CARIFTA Games held in Trinidad and Tobago.
Representing Choiseul Secondary School and the Choiseul Athletics Club, the 16-year-old from the southern community of Morne Paul delivered a pair of commanding performances that have redefined the nation’s presence in regional sprinting.
On April 19, Jady Emmanuel clinched gold in the 100-meter final, clocking a personal best of 11.50 seconds, edging past Jamaica’s Adora Campbell, who finished in 11.58 seconds. The time broke the national Under-18 record set by Olympic finalist Julien Alfred in 2017, making Emmanuel the fastest St Lucian sprinter ever in her age category over that distance.
Two days later, she returned to the track to secure a second gold medal in the 200-meter final with a dazzling time of 23.47 seconds, despite battling leg cramps and fatigue from four previous races. Running into a headwind of -0.4 m/s, Emmanuel dominated the curve and powered through the home straight to finish ahead of The Bahamas’ Keyezra Thomas (23.67) and Antigua & Barbuda’s Tyra Fenton (23.68).
Her performance not only cemented her status as a rising sprint star in the region but also delivered the fastest 200-meter time ever recorded by a Saint Lucian Under-18 athlete. The previous top times were held by Naomi London (23.71 in 2022) and Julien Alfred (23.74 in 2018).
Medal haul expands with strong team performances
Emmanuel’s sprint double brought Saint Lucia’s final tally at the Games to four medals, securing sixth place on the overall medal table. It marks only the third time the nation has won two gold medals at a single CARIFTA Games and the fourth time in its history it has captured four medals total.
Alongside Emmanuel’s record-setting wins, Naya Jules earned silver in the girls’ pole vault with a personal best clearance of 3.00 meters, narrowly missing out on a second medal in the javelin event.
Destinee Cenac, a student at St Joseph’s Convent, secured bronze in the Under-17 girls’ high jump, clearing 1.68 meters—exceeding her target of 1.65m and finishing behind Jamaica’s Sackoya Palmer and Barbados’ Shia Mottley.
Other notable performances from Team St Lucia
While the medal count was driven by three standout athletes, other members of Team St Lucia also delivered commendable performances on the final day of competition.
Denzel Phillips placed fourth in the Under-20 boys’ shot put with a best throw of 15.01 meters. In the Under-20 girls’ 4x400m relay, the team of Isabella Emilienne, Maiya Landers, Destinee Cenac, and Gabrielle Facey crossed the line sixth but was disqualified due to a lane infringement.
On the boys’ side, Ryan Simeon, Josiah Dupré, Evann John, and Benique Mann placed eighth in the 4x400m. Omarion Edwin finished 10th in the Under-17 boys’ 5000m.
Allen Chastanet praise Emmanuel and Team Saint Lucia
Jady Emmanuel’s landmark achievement—and Saint Lucia’s overall success at the 2025 CARIFTA Games—earned national commendation, including from Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Allen Chastanet.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Chastanet wrote, “Super proud of the performance of our athletes and swimmers at the 52nd CARIFTA Games which were held in Trinidad this past weekend.” He went on to highlight the athletics team’s medal wins, noting Emmanuel’s two golds, as well as the silver and bronze secured by Naya Jules and Destinee Cenac, respectively.
Chastanet also extended praise to Saint Lucia’s aquatics team, which collected a total of ten medals, and expressed gratitude to the coaches, parents, and sponsors who support the island’s youth athletes.
His remarks further underscore the national pride sparked by Emmanuel’s breakthrough and the broader accomplishments of Saint Lucia’s CARIFTA delegation.
Emmanuel’s rise rekindles comparisons to Alfred
Emmanuel’s historic run has drawn praise from across the Caribbean athletic community, with many observers drawing early comparisons to Julien Alfred’s rise from CARIFTA champion to Olympic contender. Alfred herself extended congratulations, calling Emmanuel’s achievement “a proud moment for all of St Lucia.”
As Saint Lucia looks ahead to future regional and international meets, Emmanuel’s double gold serves as a bold statement of intent from a new generation of athletes—particularly those emerging from the Choiseul region and rural training environments like Morne Paul.
The 2025 CARIFTA Games have reaffirmed St Lucia’s growing reputation in Caribbean athletics, and Emmanuel’s dominance in the sprints will likely inspire aspiring athletes across the island.
For continued coverage of Jady Emmanuel and St Lucia’s athletes at the 2025 CARIFTA Games, stay with Unitedpac St Lucia News.
