Forde covers himself in gold
By Orin Davidson
in Trinidad and Tobago
Stabroek News
April 22, 2003
The Golden Arrowhead finally fluttered proudly at this year’s Junior Carifta Games as Cleveland Forde lived up to all expectations by romping to victory for Guyana’s lone gold medal at the Haseley Crawford Stadium yesterday afternoon.
Forde joined debutant Jennifer Chichester in the limelight after the tiny young West Demerara runner notched her second medal of the championships by placing second for a silver in the girls open 3000 metres on Sunday night.
Defending his 5000 metres open title, proved little more than a stroll in the park for the 18- year-old
Forde who brought the large stadium crowd to its feet with a blistering sprint to the finish to beat Jamaica Jason Elleson by more than 50 metres into second place.
The North West District born Forde clocked 15 minutes 27.42 seconds but was disappointed he did not break the meet record.
“I fell good about the winning the gold, but I am disappointed I did not break the record,” Forde told Stabroek News.
The record of 14:58.23 was set since 1981 and Forde, who upset the field last year in the Bahamas has improved leaps and bounds since winning in 15.47.00 then.
He explained that a tight hamstring muscle in his left leg hampered him somewhat.
But it did not prevent him from lapping the field and for some of the competitors more than once.
Forde was given slight opposition by the Jamaican and shrugged off Elleson’s challenge who stayed with him until the last lap, in the last 300 metres with an amazing burst of speed which resulted him receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.
The young Guyanese was also hoping to better his personal best of 15:21.00 which he set in placing third at last year’s CAC championships. Elleson clocked 15:35.64 while another Jamaican Kerone Fairweather was third in 16:14.24 Forde’s manager Leslie Black told Stabroek News that his charge’s performance was good but more can be achieved by Guyanese athletes if an all-weather track is acquired in the country.
He then thanked Universal Airlines, music superstar Eddy Grant and all others who have helped Forde over the years.
Little Chichester showed much maturity in overcoming lots of bumping to run away from the crowd for a creditable second place behind top Antiguan and defending champion Janill Williams who took gold.Chichester who won bronze in the under-17 1500 metres on Saturday, recorded 10:14.08 to Williams’ 10:12.32 while Lorain McKenzie of Jamaica was third in 10:15.47 The Police club athlete later said she was proud of her performance and pointed out that she is growing accustomed to winning medals after taking gold and silver in the 3000 and 1500 metres races in Manny Ramjohn Games here last month.
Guyana ended the championships with three medals and coach Colin Wilson said he was satisfied as a number of finals were attained by team members.Among those yesterday were Dianne Munroe who was fifth in the girls under-17 200 final in 25.48 seconds. Rodwell Downer was bothered by a toe injury and paced eighth in the boys Under-17 800 metres.The other team members in action were Royston Ross and Cleon Washington who did not qualify for the under-20 discus final while Ricky Kissoon was 7th in the boys under-17 3000m and Ronald Payne did not place in the under-17 discus.
Yesterday’s action was highlighted by a record breaking performance by Jamaica’s world junior
champion Usain Bolt who won the under-20 200 metres in a new mark of 20.43s.
