Douglas takes aim at World U20 Champs

Garth Smythe, coach of outstanding junior sprinter Shanoya Douglas, said while she will compete at this weekend's Carifta Games in Grenada, her focus remains on the World Under-20 Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

Douglas, already being touted as one of the nation's finest junior sprinters of all time, sent shockwaves through the local track and field fraternity with a dazzling display at last weekend's ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships inside the National Stadium.

The Carifta Games will be held at Kirani James Athletics Stadium in St George's, Grenada from April 4-6.

The 18-year-old phenom stormed to a massive personal best time of 10.98 seconds to win the 100 metres, before returning to shatter the national junior record in the 200m with a brilliant 22.36.

Her exploits not only underlined her class, but erased the previous 200m mark of 22.50 set by Briana Williams during her golden run to the World Under-20 sprint double in 2018.

Despite her red-hot form, questions had surfaced regarding whether Douglas would take part in the Carifta Games. However, Smythe dismissed the speculation, confirming that his athlete will compete at the event in Grenada this weekend.

"Champs is the big thing here, but our preparations are for the August World Under-20 Championships," said Smythe. "So we treated Champs just like another meet so we used it as a springboard going down the road and it will be the same for the Carifta Games also.

"I am not sure why people are questioning if she is going to run at the Carifta Games or not, but she will be running the 100 metres. I am expecting her to go out there and have fun."

Smythe also said that he was very pleased with Douglas' performances at Champs, stating that her times were in line with the broader plan laid out for the season.

"I am very pleased with her performances because it was the second best 100 metres time at Champs and it was a national junior record for the 200 metres and so that was great," he said.

"That (Commonwealth Games) is also a part of the plan too and that is something that we are looking at, as well as the World Under-20 Championships," Smythe added.