Furbert Finishes 6th in Mexico as Sprinters Exit in Preliminaries
IslandStats.com
Zydon Lightbourne Furbert claimed a commendable sixth-place finish in the under-18 400 metres final on a busy second day for Bermuda's athletes at the 2026 NACAC Under-18 and Under-23 Track and Field Championships in Apizaco, Mexico.
Having successfully qualified through the preliminary rounds at the high-altitude Una Nueva Historia Sports Complex, Furbert lowered his time further in a fiercely contested final, crossing the line in forty-eight point two seven seconds.
Meanwhile, it proved to be a testing morning on the track for the island's short-sprint contingent during the 200 metres heats.
In the women's under-18 division, both Pria Wilson and Amara Samuels narrowly missed out on a spot in the finals despite identical sixth-place finishes in their respective heats. Wilson stopped the clock at twenty-four point nine seven seconds in heat one to place thirteenth overall, while Samuels recorded a time of twenty-five point fourteen seconds in heat two to finish seventeenth in the overall standings.
In the men's under-23 category, Norre Robinson fought hard in a stacked third heat of the 200 metres preliminaries. Robinson crossed the line in fourth place with a solid time of twenty-one point four zero seconds, which left him thirteenth overall and just outside the qualification brackets for the final.
With two days of intense international competition now complete, Bermuda's attention turns to the final day of action as the region's premier youth championships draw to a close.
Friday, July 10, 2026
Lightbourne leads Bermudian charge at NACAC Championships
IslandStats.com
Zydon Lightbourne produced the standout performance for Bermuda on the opening day of the 2026 NACAC Under-18 and Under-23 Track and Field Championships at the Una Nueva Historia Sports Complex in Apizaco, Mexico.
Lightbourne successfully navigated a competitive 400 metres field, finishing third in the third heat with a sharp time of 48.88 seconds. His performance placed him seventh overall, comfortably securing his spot in the final.
It was a more challenging day for Surii Russell in the same event. Competing in the first heat, Russell stopped the clock at 49.99 seconds to finish fifth in his race and thirteenth overall, missing out on advancement.
In the sprint disciplines, the women’s Under-18 100 metres saw Pria Wilson and Amara Samuels both exit at the preliminary stage. Wilson finished sixth in her heat in 12.27 seconds, placing her thirteenth overall, while Samuels clocked 12.42 seconds to finish sixth in her heat and eighteenth overall.
Norre Robinson also faced a difficult path in the men’s Under-23 100 metres preliminaries. Robinson crossed the line fifth in the second heat with a time of 10.67 seconds, resulting in a fourteenth-place finish overall.
With Lightbourne set to feature in the 400 metres final, the Bermudian camp will be hoping for a podium push as the championship action continues in Mexico.
Wednesday, July 08, 2026
Six-strong Bermuda squad heads to Mexico
IslandStats.com
A six-strong contingent of young Bermudian athletes has arrived in Mexico ahead of the 2026 NACAC Under-18 and Under-23 Track and Field Championships, which get underway this Friday.
The prestigious regional event runs from July 10th to 12th at the Una Nueva Historia Sports Complex Stadium in Apizaco, situated in the high-altitude state of Tlaxcala.
Bermuda's future track and field stars will face elite competition from across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The squad is led by an experienced management team, with former Olympic triple jumper Brian Wellman traveling as coach alongside team manager Ruby James.
The team is heavily weighted toward explosive sprint disciplines, complemented by middle-distance and field event representation across the age groups.
Sprints lead the charge for the Under-18 female contingent, with Priya Wilson and Amara Samuels both handed busy schedules in the 100m and 200m double. On the infield, Tatiana Sousa carries the island's hopes in the Under-18 javelin competition.
In the Under-18 male category, Zydon Lightbourne Furbert faces a grueling combination of the 200m and 400m, while Surii Russell steps up in distance to tackle the 400m and 800m events.
Lone Under-23 competitor Norre Robinson brings older experience to the group, testing himself against the region's top senior prospects in the short sprints.
The three-day championship offers critical international exposure for the athletes, who will also have to adapt to Apizaco's challenging elevation of over 2,400 meters above sea level.
Sunday, July 05, 2026
Triple Gold & MVP Honors for sprint sensation Robinson
IslandStats.com
Bermuda's rising track prospects Raelyn and Reyna Robinson concluded a spectacular, high-velocity campaign at the Flying Angels International Track Meet in Canada, leaving an indelible mark on the international stage.
The headline story belonged to the unstoppable Raelyn Robinson, who was officially named the Under-9 Girls' Most Valuable Player (MVP) after adding a dominant sprint double and a field title to her previous victory in the 100m.
Raelyn started her 200m quest in emphatic fashion, storming through the Under-9 preliminary rounds to clock the fastest qualifying time of 33.12 seconds. Faced with the region's finest in the final, she found another gear, destroying her previous mark to cross the line first in a blistering 31.93 seconds to lock down the gold.
Proving her elite versatility, the eight-year-old then took to the sandpit for the Under-9 Girls' Long Jump. Representing Bermuda with pride, she launched a massive leap of 3.58 meters, comfortably clearing the field to secure her third gold medal of the meet.
Not to be outdone, younger compatriot Reyna Robinson showcased tremendous grit and determination against older opposition in the Under-8 category.
Competing in the ultra-competitive Girls' 200m preliminaries, Reyna fought her way through a heavily stacked field to secure seventh place, stopping the clock at a highly commendable 41.63 seconds to successfully qualify for the grand finale.
Returning to the track under intense championship pressure, the young sprinter replicated her gritty preliminary performance almost to the millisecond. Reyna crossed the line in 41.74 seconds to hold onto her seventh-place finish overall, capping off a deeply encouraging international debut for the future of Bermudian athletics.
Saturday, July 04, 2026
Bermuda Clinch Podium Finish in 4x100m Relay
IslandStats.com
Bermuda's senior men’s sprint team made a powerful statement on the regional stage, securing a podium finish in the 4x100m relay at the prestigious Barbados Grand Prix.
The quartet of Norre Robinson, Miles Outerbridge, Cameron Basden, and anchor man Denver Tucker executed a masterclass in baton passing to cross the line in a swift 40.29 seconds to take third place, the time is the second fastest time of a Bermuda Senior Men's team.
Competing at the world-class Usain Bolt Sports Complex in St. Michael, the Bermudian team faced a heavily stacked field featuring some of the Caribbean's finest sprinting powerhouses.
The Usain Bolt Sports Complex in St. Michael, Barbados. Source: UWI Cave Hill Campus - The University of the West Indies
Sprinting in challenging, humid conditions, lead-off runner Norre Robinson provided a blistering start from the blocks to keep Bermuda neck-and-neck with the early leaders. A flawless first transition found Miles Outerbridge, who ate up the backstretch with an aggressive, powerful drive.
The critical bend was handled seamlessly by Cameron Basden, who maintained maximum velocity before handing over the baton to Denver Tucker. Tucker then locked into a fierce footrace down the final straightaway, holding off a late surge from the chasing packs to brilliantly book Bermuda's spot on the podium.
The 40.29-second clocking marks an encouraging milestone for the relay program, providing a highly competitive benchmark as the squad looks ahead to upcoming international meets later this season.
Olympic Triple Jump star Jah-Nhai Perinchief swapped his signature event for the long jump pit at the Barbados Grand Prix, grinding out a solid fourth-place finish.
Competing at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex in St. Michael, the Commonwealth Games Bronze Medalist produced a top leap of 7.14 meters in a highly competitive international field.
The appearance serves as a vital stepping stone for the 28-year-old, who is building up match fitness and rhythm after recently returning from a lengthy injury layoff.
Perinchief utilized the long jump event in Barbados to fine-tune his runway speed, approach stability, and landing mechanics against top-tier Caribbean opposition.
The 7.14m mark adds to a highly encouraging weekend for the small Bermudian contingent in Barbados.
