Cayman’s athletics team announced for 2026 CARIFTA

The Cayman Islands Athletics Association has officially announced the national delegation set for the 2026 CARIFTA Games.

The Cayman squad features a mix of returning medallists and first-time competitors across several track and field disciplines who will compete in the 53rd edition of the games from 4-6 April in Grenada.

Cayman’s male and female captains

Delora Johnson and Jah’Mauri Watkis have been appointed as the female and male team captains, respectively, to lead the squad during the regional competition.

Johnson, 17, transitions into the captain role for the first time after representing Cayman in three previous CARIFTA Games.

She enters the Under-20 Girls division as a returning medallist, having secured a bronze in the Under-17 Long Jump at the 2025 event.

With a current personal best of 5.75 meters, Johnson has shared that her objective for this year is to officially record a jump exceeding the six-metre mark.

“I have jumped six metres before, but every time I have, I’ve fouled it. So I just want to go into this competition and jump my personal best over six metres because I know I’m capable of it, and, if possible, get another medal this year,” Johnson said.

Regarding her leadership role, Johnson said “it’s a good achievement”, noting that in previous years she was amongst “a lot of older kids” but now she’s “the older kid” in the group.

With this role, she aims to stand out and have an impact on the team. She said, “Personally, when it comes to people I don’t necessarily know well, I’m kind of quieter, but I want to make my presence known.

“I want to make [my team] know that I’m there for them, even when they feel like no one’s cheering for them or supporting them. They can come to me for anything or any advice because this is my third year now,” she concluded.

Watkis, who began his athletics career in 2023 at the age of 14, is serving as captain for the first time and is set to compete in the Under-20 Boys 400-metre hurdles.

A grateful Watkis said, “When I first started this sport and I heard about CARIFTA, I set goals and set my heart to it. I worked relentlessly to get here, so I’m just really grateful. It’s my first year, so I’m going to go out there, see what I can do, and come back stronger than the following years and just make my country proud.”

He has emphasised a disciplined and action-focused approach to leading the team.

“When the time comes to compete, I will just set an example by locking in. This looks like no fooling around. For example, when we’re stretching, we’re stretching; during warm up time, we’re warming up and overall, we’re staying hydrated.

“I’ll set an example so there’s no playing around when it’s time [to focus]. Of course, we’ll have time to talk and play, but when the time comes to work [and get serious], we get to work,” Watkis affirmed.

Reigning champions return

On the Cayman side, the Under-17 Girls division includes two reigning champions: Gabriella Linton, who won gold in shot put and Kaliah Haye who secured gold in discus. During next month’s Games, both athletes will compete in both shot put and discus events.

Returning Cayman medallist to the 2026 CARIFTA Games - Photos: Supplied

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The Under 17 Girls division is further represented by:

In the Under-17 Boys category, the team includes:

The delegation is managed by Simone Savage and assistant manager Patricia Isaac, with Paula Dawkins serving as the safeguarding officer.

The coaching staff is led by head coach Kenrick Williams and assistant coach Dwayne Williams.