Last Updated on February 26, 2024, 3:32 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Dr Denzil Douglas, the Minister of Foreign Affairs in St Kitts and Nevis extended his heartfelt greetings to De’Cheynelle Thomas, the fastest running athlete on successfully qualifying herself for CARIFTA 2024 games at the Ginseng Up Classic run.
The Ginseng Up Classic Championship was held last week at the Nevis Athletic Stadium. Thomas from the Saddlers Secondary School completed her 800-meter run, after taking an impressive time of 2:21.76.
Besides her, Elijah Phipps from Saddlers also dominated the U16 Division at the Championship, after securing one gold in the 400-meter run, taking a commendable time of 01:05.93.
This achievement not only led her to emerge victorious at the Championship but also made her qualify for the international CARIFTA 2024, scheduled to be held in St George’s, Grenada at Kirani James Athletics Stadium.
While congratulating and honouring the athlete, Minister Douglas added, “Congratulations to De’Cheynelle Thomas on qualifying for yet another event at Carifta Games to be held March 30th-April 1st, in Grenada! she competed in the 800m at the Ginseng Up Classic and qualified with a time of 2:21.76.”
Further, the St Kitts and Nevis Athletics Association also marked her victory and congratulated her. “De’Cheynelle Thomas who is usually featured in the 200m and 400m events, ran from wire to wire winning the 800m in convincing fashion. Congratulations to her,” it added.
Notably, the 13-year-old athlete hails from the small village of Saddlers/Dieppe Bay in St Kitts and Nevis. Thomas is a professional Athlete known for her impressive performances at International stages. In November 2023, she became the first qualifier for the CARIFTA after clocking a time of 57.30 in the 400m.
Since the early phase of her life, she has been representing her island and Community at various national and International levels.On February 4, Thomas, stopped the clock in a time of 25.04 seconds in the U17 200m events the SL Horsfords Classic.
In CARFITA 2023, held in Nassau Bahamas between 7 and 9 April 2023 at the Thomas Robinson Stadium, she secured one Bronze medal at the 400 Meters Under 17 run, taking her best time of best time of 55.46s.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
