Sprinter Davonte Howell became the first Caymanian male to win gold in the 100-metre dash at the CARIFTA Games earlier this month, and he’s already setting his sights on tougher competition this summer.
Speaking to the Cayman Compass following his winning time of 10.30 seconds in the Bahamas, Howell, 17, stated his hope is to qualify for the World Athletics Championships, in Budapest, set for 19-27 Aug.
“I want to compete at the world championships,” he said. The current 100m standard for the World Athletics event is 10 seconds flat. Howell’s personal best stands at 10.26 seconds.
However, lifted by his historic victory at the CARIFTA Games, Howell believes it is possible for him to record an eligible time.
Golden boy
While Howell spoke about his plans, he also reflected on winning gold for Cayman in the Bahamas, saying it was his biggest accomplishment to date in athletics.
“I was in second place for the majority of the race and then after 80m, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh’, I won CARIFTA,” he said. “A whole lot of emotions went through me… everything kind of hit me at once.”
The winning race, in which Howell beat two Bahamian sprinters in the boys’ under-20 division, marked the first time in 13 years that Cayman has claimed a medal in that event.
Howell is now turning his attention to next year’s CARIFTA Games when he plans to make history again.
“I believe if Jaiden Reid (another Cayman sprinter) was healthy, we would’ve won first and second for the Cayman Islands and that would’ve been a first as well, but next year that is the goal, and I will defend my title.”
Howell said his wish is to ‘put Cayman on the map’ for athletics and to inspire the next generation of local talent.
“I know that the Cayman Islands can make it far,” he said. “I believe that there is a lot of talent… that goes unnoticed,” adding that the only way to develop Cayman’s athletes is to have them gain overseas experience.
“There needs to be more money invested in track and field; for example, a gym that only the track and field athletes can use, because I believe that’s what pushed me to the next level when I got to IMG Academy. The second thing is to allow the athletes to go off island… we tend to excel more.”
Howell, who is now back at school, told the Compass that he will focus on competing in Florida track meets in the hopes of lowering his time for a shot at the World Athletics Championships.
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