Jamaica Finish with their 2nd Biggest Medal Haul ever at the World Championships!

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Despite being in the transitioning phase of athletics and going with no Usain Bolt, Jamaica finished in Doha with their 2nd biggest medal haul in World Championships history with 12 medals!(Compared to 13 in 2009 and 2015)

Imagine we didn’t get medals expected from Elaine Thompson and Omar McLeoud too!

However, we had our biggest showing ever in Field events. Spectacular performances by our athletes.

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Suga votes the Women’s 4×100m Gold as our sweetest victory in Doha.

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Jamaica’s 4×100m Women Final team after winning Gold at World Championships, Doha 2019

I think every Jamaican would agree that we could watch that race over and over again. So, here you go!

Watch “Jamaica Wins Women’s 4x100m Gold | World Athletics Championships 2019 | Doha Moments” on YouTube by clicking on the link here:
https://youtu.be/gcq_Qo_lBDw
Jamaica also medalled in the Mixed 4×400m relay, the Women’s 4×400m and the men had an impressive 2nd place finish in the Men’s 4×400m relay. Suga sees our 400m male athletes on the rise, especially in our young, Akeem Bloomfield. What a first leg!
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Jamaican Men’s 4×400m team who won Silver at Doha 2019.

I am so proud of our athletes, their determination and their perseverance. Congratulations to Team Jamaica on this huge accomplishment and their success!

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Looking forward to Tokyo 2020! We’ll even be represented in Gymnastics with Danusia Francis!

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By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Congrats to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce on her Return & Victory at World Champs!

 

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Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce with her son, Zyon after her 10.71s win at the World Championships, Doha in the Women’s 100m final.

What an accomplishment for our pocket rocket, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, right?!

Suga cannot let another minute go by without Congratulating our Sprint Queen, Shelly, who won the Women’s 100m Final at the Doha World Championships in 10.71s! Her first major event after giving birth to her son, Zyon.

It is a pity Elaine Thompson could not give Jamaica the 1-2, but it has been said that her achilles tendon is acting up again with soreness. All the best to Elaine in the 200m!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Briana Williams opts out of World Championships in DOHA that Begins Today!

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I doubt that Jamaica will ever see another performance similar to the Olympics in Beijing 2008, London 2012 or even Usain Bolt. But we should continue to be proud Jamaicans knowing we have produced some of he best athletes in the world.

The World Championships begin in DOHA, Qatar TODAY! There was some drama surrounding the selection of the Women’s 100m team after Briana Williams’ hearing where she was reprimanded and then ruled as free to compete.

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Briana Williams [Photo: Sportsmax]
However, the words of Coach Stephen Francis were quite different. He stated that the IAAF has a Doping rule for 2019 and once there is an in-competition test and you turn up with a positive A and B sample for a banned substance, you are immediately disqualified, your results are disqualified and the results of any hearing or punishment does not matter.

So Jonielle Smith was selected to run the 100m Women, putting Briana’s trip to Doha in doubt.

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Jonielle Smith [Photo: Sportsmax]
Last night, Briana Willams posted that she is not going to Doha as follows:

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Check out your schedule of Athletics for the weekend here!

*N.B. Jamaican times are stated as ‘My time’ and races are in the mornings and afternoons.

DAY 1 – Friday, September 27th

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DAY 2 – Saturday, September 28th

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DAY 3 – Sunday, September 29th

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ENJOY!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Congratulations to Kingston College & Edwin Allen High, Winners of CHAMPS 2019!

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Instagram Photo: @issasportsja
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Instagram Photo: @issasportsja

Congratulations to Kingston College & Edwin Allen High, Winners of the Issa/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships 2019!

BOYS

After Calabar High won 7 straight titles, Kingston College (KC) did not yield and executed one of the best and highest scoring CHAMPS win in history.  Their win was confirmed from as early as Friday night. With practically an injury free team compared to Calabar, they kept a high standard all season and executed their races well, winning races they were expected to win and creating upsets, running with momentum and heart. Well done KC. They continue their ‘Purple reign’ with the most Champs wins in history, 32. This was Project 32 and they succeeded.

Kudos also to Calabar for roaring towards the end and putting on a great show. They still managed to rack up over 300 points, which showed a valiant effort despite their mishaps and having an injured star athlete, Christopher Taylor.

Here are your final results!

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A generation of Calabar athletes is now gone and there is a new crop of KC athletes, plus emerging JC athletes with their very own new track and field. It will be interesting to see how Calabar regroups and how long KC can reign this time.

GIRLS

Competition was stiff on the Girls’ side. It came down to the relays to determine the winner. Defending Champs, Edwin Allen held on strong to beat the challengers, Hydel High, who were hot on their heels by 7 points.

There was a fight in the middle order of the top 10 too, where the ladies from Constant Spring Road, Immaculate High came out and made a statement this year, taking back the Corporate area title. They showed up in both field and track events, winning in high jump, long jump, a 4×100m relay and 200m! They got a silver in the Shot Put too! Well done Suga’s alma mater, Immaculate!

Here are your results!

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Hydel came really close this year, can they win next year for the first time? We’ll see.

Suga’s Athlete of CHAMPS 2019 – KC’s Wayne Pinnock!

Long Jump, 110m Hurdles and Sprints including 2 records! #SugaSnaps

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Suga’s Race of Champs 2019 – The Class 3 Boys 800m Final!

That moment when Jaquan Coke came from behind to secure the win for KC on the line was priceless.

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Suga would like to congratulate all the athletes for such talented, relentless performances. Jamaica has a lot to look forward to in the future of our Athletics Programme.

Also, thanks to all of you who tuned in and followed Suga Lifestyle every step of the way on Facebook and Instagram.

See you next year!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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Point Standings for CHAMPS 2019!

After 5 Finals, here are your Point Standings for the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships!

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Suga expects HYDEL, JAGO & HOLMWOOD to come up in the sprints for the Girls, but EDWIN ALLEN should still take Champs. I have to big up IMMACULATE who might finally take back the Corporate area this year. Can CALABAR nurse their injuries and improve execution from a tight situation to beat KC? Stay tuned! 2 more days to go!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Champions of the Weekend in Sports!

BRIANA WILLIAMS Won the Sprint Double (100m & 200m) for Jamaica at the Under 20 IAAF Championships in Tampere, Finland!

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16-year old, Briana Williams won amongst a stacked field of predominantly 18-year olds in her 100m and 200m finals. 

Jamaica’s Briana Williams edged out the World Leader from USA, Twanisha Terry to win the 100m in 11.16s.

She had a more convincing win for the 200m, clocking 22.50s in Championship record time.

Briana’s Coach, Ato Boldon says that she should be finishing high school before going pro. There is no rush.

Congrats Briana!

ANGELIQUE KERBER wins her 1st Wimbledon title!

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Angelique Kerber is the first German to win Wimbledon since Steffi Graf in 1996. After a 2-hour delayed start time, she beat the mother of all Champions, Serena Williams 6-3, 6-3. She caught Serena on a bad day, off her serve and overhitting shots, but she held serve, mixed things up when she needed to and stuck to her game. Well done and Congrats to Angelique Kerber!

NOVAK DJOKOVIC shows he is back with a WIMBLEDON TITLE WIN!

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Photo: ESPN

Novak Djokovic of Serbia won Wimbledon in straight sets vs. Kevin Anderson of South Africa, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 after a 2-year Grand Slam drought! It is Djokovic’s 4th Wimbledon title and 13th career Grand Slam title. Congrats Djokovic!

FRANCE WINS the WORLD CUP 4 – 2 over CROATIA!

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Goal Scorers for France in yesterday’s World Cup Final

France has done it! France won the World Cup with a 4 – 2 victory over Croatia yesterday. It was an exciting game from start to finish with an early own goal by Mandzukic of Croatia, giving France the lead, then an equalizer by Perisic of Croatia. Afterwards, it was all about France. Griezmann scored a penalty given from a hand ball, then Pogba and Mbappé scored brilliant goals. Mandzukic with the self redemption for the own goal, beat France’s goalkeeper, Lloris all on his own and spoiled the party a bit with an awkward goal for Croatia.

Croatia ran out of time and France became victorious after 20 years! It’s a wrap folks!

Awards

Golden Ball - Luka Modric (Croatia)

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Photo: Fifa World Cup

Best Young Player – Kylian Mbappé (France)

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The Golden Boot came home – Harry Kane with 6 goals (England)

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Golden Glove – Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)

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Fun Facts to take away from the World Cup

● France is the youngest squad to win the World Cup since Brazil in 1970

● Pogba of France is the 1st Manchester United player to score a goal in a World Cup Final

● Mbappé (19 yrs old) of France is the youngest player since Pele (17 yrs old) with a goal in a World Cup final

● Tottenham players scored the most goals in this World Cup

● Didier Deschamps is the 3rd coach to win the World Cup as a player and then as a Coach

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I think that we can all agree that if this was not the best World Cup you have ever seen, it was definitely one of the most entertaining World Cups.

Thanks for tuning in to Suga Lifestyle’s website and Facebook Page for continuous World Cup Updates.

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CONGRATS TO LES BLEUS, FRANCE!  See you in Qatar 2022!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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Champions and Winners of the Weekend in Sports!

COMMONWEALTH GAMES GOLD COAST 2018 – ATHLETICS

The Commonwealth Games down under have come to an end and Jamaica did extremely well, winning International medals that we have never won before.

Over the weekend, we took over some of the Field events!

Jamaica’s thrower, Danniel Thomas struck Gold in the Women’s Shot Put!

Fedrick Dacres and Traves Smikle brought home the Gold and Silver respectively for the Men’s Discus.

Back on the track, Paralympian, Tevaughn Thomas won Bronze in the Men’s T47 100m!

Natoya Goule finally medalled internationally with a Personal Best in the Women’s 800m Final with a sweet Bronze medal finish.

Danielle Williams and Yanique Thompson got Jamaica a Silver and Bronze respectively in the Women’s 110m Hurdles.

Jamaica also took home medals in the 4×400m Relays for both the Men and Women!

Bronze for the Men

Gold for the Women!

NBA PLAYOFFS – BASKETBALL

The NBA Playoffs started last Saturday and the Celtics are already 1 up on the Bucks and the Thunder 1 up on the Jazz.

Warriors blew out the Spurs and the 76ers routed the Heat.

The Raptors finally won an opening Game 1 in the Playoffs, beating the Wizards.

The no. 1 team in the West, the Rockets, had a fight to beat the Timberwolves, 104-101. This may be one of the best match ups for the West in the 1st round.

Surprises?

The Cavs lost to the Pacers 80-98. But if you think about it, LeBron James usually allows a Game 1 loss.

Pelicans beat the Trail Blazers, 97-95. They had a significant lead for most of the game and when the Trail Blazers came fighting back it just wasn’t enough.

PREMIER LEAGUE – SOCCER

Photo: Bleacher Report

After Manchester United lost to West Brom over the weekend, Manchester City officially became Champions of the Premier League!

It’s Man City’s 1st title under Pep Guardiola. Congrats to them.

More exciting weeks ahead in Sports. Stay tuned!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook Page.

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2 Gold, 2 Silver and a Bronze for Jamaica at the Commonwealth Games Today!

WOMEN’S TRIPLE JUMP FINAL

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Jamaica’s Kimberly Williams leaps to victory in the Women’s Triple Jump at the Commonwealth Games!

Jamaica’s ever so determined Kimberly Williams won Gold in the Women’s Triple Jump! Congratulations to her as well as our Shanieka Ricketts, who took the Silver. Thea Lafond of Dominica got the Bronze.

MEN’S 110m HURDLES FINAL

Jamaica got the 1-2 in the Men’s 110m Hurdles too! Congratulations to Ronald Levy who won Gold and our Olympic medallist, Hansle Parchment who got Silver. Aussie, Nicholas Hough placed third.

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Ronald Levy and Hansle Parchment celebrate after their 1-2 finish respectively in the Men’s 110m Hurdles at the Commonwealth Games today

MEN’S 400m FINAL

DONKEY MAN IS BACK!

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Javon ‘Donkey Man’ Francis before the start of the Men’s 400m at the Commonwealth Games in Australia earlier today

…But so is MAKWALA!

At last, Isaac Makwala of Botswana wins Gold impressively in 44.35s! His compatriot, Baboloki Thebe got the Silver and Jamaica’s Javon ‘Donkey Man’ Francis got the Bronze!

If you missed it, watch the “Men’s 400m Final – Commonwealth Games Gold Coast 2018” on YouTube here:

Well done Team Jamaica!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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CONGRATS to Calabar & Edwin Allen, Winners of the Issa/Grace Kennedy Boys & Girls’ Athletics Championships!

Another absolutely sensational Issa/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships have come to an end. Calabar was expected to come out on top, ahead of KC, but not by so many points. Their dominance was exceptional for their 7th straight title.

Final Standings for the Boys:

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Edwin Allen executed their races well for the Girls to come away on top for the 6th straight time ahead of Holmwood Technical.

Final Standings for the Girls:

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There were so many great Champs Moments, but here are Suga’s Highlights:

● Sportsmanship

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Great Sportsmanship was shown between Great rivals, Tyreke Wilson of Calabar and KC’s Jhevaughn Matherson as they crossed the line in the Class 1 Boys 100m Semi-Final. This is what Champs is all about!

● Class 3 Boys 100m Sweet 16 Victory by KC 

KC’s Bouwahjgie Nkrumie (1st) and Adrian Kerr (2nd) both smashed the record of Jhevaughn Matherson in 10.79s and 10.81s respectively.

Everyone has been asking if Nkrumie is also an import, but word has it that he has been going to school in Jamaica since Prep School. He speaks like a Jamaican as well.

● Class 2 Girls 100m and 200m shines spotlight on our future Star in the Sprints

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Suga’s Championship Girl, Kevona Davis of Edwin Allen High

The young lady called the Princess of sprinting amongst High schoolers, Kevona Davis of Edwin Allen, broke her own record that was set in the semifinals in 11.16s! Last year she false started and she has certainly come back with a vengeance. She is only hundredths of a second off from VCB’s Junior record time of 11.12s. I observed that she comes out of her drive phase quite quickly, so can you imagine when her form is improved?!

Her compatriot, Kasheika Cameron clocked 11.29 to win the 100m for the Class 1 Girls. This was a clear indication of the powerhouse, Kevona is.

The following day, she broke her own 200m semifinal record as well, to win in 22.72s.

● Class 2 Boys 100m

Sachin Dennis of STETHS had a magnificent run, breaking the record in 10.20s!

● Drama for the Class 1 Boys 100m

Calabar’s Michael Stephens, Defending Champ of the event started to feel cramps before the start of the race. He received a bit of Physio treatment before the race and was even on the phone. He was seen crying with his teammate and one of the favourites to win, Tyreke Wilson, but surprisingly still headed to the start line for the race.

Everyone was at that point thinking that KC’s Jhevaughn Matherson, the other favourite would have been undisturbed by the drama and thus have the advantage. He would be seeking redemption after false starting last year, allegedly because he was injured. But not only did Michael Stephens run out fast and pull up mid-race, so did Matherson of KC! This left Calabar’s Tyreke Wilson with a clear victory and PB of 10.21s ahead of JC’s Ryiem Robertson who finished in 10.28s.

A post Champs interview with the Assistant Coach of Calabar confirmed that Stephens was told to jog the race, which he did not do in such a competitive atmosphere.

● Upset in the Class 1 Boys 400m Hurdles!

Screenshot_2018-03-25-13-53-35-1.pngFavourites, Malik James-King of Calabar and STETHS’ Jauavney James were beaten convincingly by a young man from Rhodes Hall High School, Rovane Williams in a record time of 49.94s.

● Petersfield comes out on top in the Class 2 Boys 400m and Boys 4×400m Open Relay!

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Petersfield’s Antonio Watson seized victory in the Boys Class 2 400m and lived up to his reputation of World Under-18 Champion. He then anchored his 4×400m Relay team to victory in the last race of Champs, since Calabar’s record win was later declared null and void due to disqualification. One of the athletes on Calabar’s 4×400m team was over his race limit according to the rules. It is sad that the fault in Calabar’s line-up was apparently not picked up by the organizers before the race, but after the fact by Petersfield, who launched the appeal. A bit of a sour taste in the mouth at the end of Champs.

● KC beats Calabar in the 400m Class 1 Boys

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KC’s Captain, Dashawn Morris gave it his all and won the 400m Class 1 Boys in an impressive 45.09s, ahead of Calabar’s Anthony Carpenter, who registered a PB of 45.47.

● STETHS’ Jauavney James showed great perseverance to win the Class 1 Boys 800m

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Jauavney James of STETHS got his redemption from losing the 1500m and 400m hurdles. He won from behind in the Class 1 Boys 800m. He got his strategy right to finish his last Champs race in fine style.

● Winner from Lane 8 in Class 3 200m Girls

Gabrielle Matthews of Hydel won the Girls Class 3 200m out of lane 8 in 23.60s to beat Edwin Allen’s Tina Clayton.

● Sweet 16 KC rivalry continued in the Class 3 Boys 200m!

This time around KC’s Adrian Kerr beat his teammate, Bouwahjgie Nkrumie in record time. Nkrumie was still in good spirits, unlike Kerr who could not speak in his interview the night before after placing 2nd in the 100m. But with true determination, he ran from behind with lots of grit for the 200m win.

● Calabar gets their Sweet 16 in the Class 1 Boys 200m

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Suga’s Championship Boy, Christopher Taylor, Team Captain of Calabar High

Calabar’s Christopher Taylor won the Class 1 Boys 200m impressively in 20.32s ahead of his compatriot, Anthony Carpenter. Carpenter had an obvious limp towards the end of the race, but still managed to finish 2nd.

So many spectacular #ChampsMoments. I hope you shared these as some of your faves too.

Kudos also to the After-Show! Although some spectators may have dislocated their shoulders, it was superb quality for Jamaica’s version of the greatest show on earth.

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See you next year!

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By: Gabrielle Burgess

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