Jah’kyla, BVI’s 2026 CARIFTA athletes get heroes’ welcome

The BVI is celebrating a commendable showing at the recent 53rd CARIFTA Games, with standout high jumper Jah’Kyla Morton leading the territory’s medal charge.

The delegation received a warm and emotional welcome home following their return from Grenada.

Morton, a student-athlete at Florida A&M University, secured the BVI’s only medal at the Games with a silver medal in the Under-20 high jump at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium. Her performance continues an impressive run on the regional stage, marking her fourth CARIFTA medal in five years.

The achievement builds on her historic 2023 performance in Nassau, Bahamas, where she captured a silver medal in the Under-17 high jump after clearing 1.70 metres. Now competing in the Under-20 division, Morton has maintained her position among the Caribbean’s elite young athletes, again finishing second on the podium.

The CARIFTA Games remain the region’s premier junior athletics competition and a critical pathway for developing future stars, and BVI officials say this year’s team demonstrated both promise and resilience across multiple disciplines.

Education Minister Sharie de Castro praised the entire delegation, highlighting not just podium finishes but the broader achievements of the athletes. She said while more medals were hoped for, the team’s performances — including personal bests, national records and qualifying marks — were commendable.

She also singled out Morton’s achievement and its wider significance.

“Jah’kyla isn’t here, but the reason she isn’t there is because she’s heading back to university. I want you to realise that this is what this environment does for you — it not only goes to sports, but it gives you a pathway to higher education.”