History unfolded at the 2025 BVI National Track and Field Championships on June 28, when six BVI men sprinted under 11 seconds in the same 100m final, a first for the territory and a bold statement of sprinting depth on home soil.
Jaleel Croal blazed to victory in 10.09 seconds, smashing the 13-year-old All Comers Record of 10.19 previously held by St. Kitts-Nevis sprint legend Kim Collins. His win came in dramatic fashion, holding off Rikkoi Brathwaite—who dipped at the line in 10.14—with both men running marks faster than the historic standard.
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Wanyaé Belle followed in 10.40, J’Den Jackson at 10.45, Mikkel Bassue at 10.50, and Malik Romney rounding out the field with his first-ever sub-11 at 10.98. The result cemented the final as the fastest collective 100m sprint in BVI history, a testament to the territory’s rising sprint caliber.
Beyoncé DeFreitas dominated the women’s sprints, winning the 100m in 11.27 before returning to clock 22.69 in the 200m—the fastest ever on the AO Shirley Grounds. While the time couldn’t be ratified as an official record due to the lack of a wind reading, the performance firmly asserted DeFreitas’ elite form. M’Kenzii Crabbe followed in 24.83, with S’Riyah Mitcham 3rd in 29.43.
Croal, fresh off his 100m win, returned for the men’s 200m final and clocked 20.66 , narrowly edging Belle. Belle, however, ran a lifetime best of 20.69, moving up to No. 3 on the BVI’s all-time list. Jackson held his own in the half-lap sprint, finishing in 21.39 and just shy of his Carifta personal best.
Younger talent was also on display throughout the championships. U20 sprinter Mario Carter recorded an impressive 10.69 in the 100m and returned to post a personal best 21.47 in the 200m. Shamul Donovan showed promising range as well, clocking a PR of 10.85 and 22.11 in the sprints. With many of these athletes set to compete at the Pan Am U20 Championships, NACAC Championships, and World Athletics events, the BVI is sending a message: the sprint surge is real, and the future is fast.