Bobb Gains Experience Against World's Best in Tokyo
BNAA President Evans & Bobb
IslandStats.com
Bermuda's Caitlin Bobb has completed her debut in the Women's 400m at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, gaining valuable experience competing against some of the world's top athletes.
Running in Heat 3, Bobb was in a formidable field that included two-time Olympic 400m hurdles champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. The American superstar cruised to victory, winning the heat in 49.41 seconds to easily advance to the semi-finals.
Bobb finished fifth in her heat with a time of 51.72 seconds, missing out on a qualifying spot. Ireland's Sharlene Mawdsley, who finished just ahead of Bobb in fourth with a time of 51.04, advanced to the semi-finals as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers.
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Genetic Test 95% Complete at World Championships
IslandStats.com
World Athletics confirmed during its latest council meeting that 95% of the female athletes due to compete at the World Championships, which begin on Saturday in the Japanese capital, have completed the mandatory genetic test, a measure the organization is reintroducing at its events.
Bermuda’s Caitlyn Bobb is in Tokyo to compete in the Women’s 400m.
The announcement marked a milestone for the international federation, which in March formally approved the introduction of the SRY test as part of new regulations aimed at verifying athletes' biological sex in the context of women's competitions. At the end of July, World Athletics published the technical details of the procedure and made it known that compliance would be an indispensable requirement to compete in Tokyo. The September World Championships will thus be the first major global event under this regulatory framework.
In its report, the council specified that only the tests for the delegations from France and Norway remain to be completed, as well as for some athletes residing on French territory, where national legislation prohibits genetic analyses for non‑medical purposes. In these cases, the tests will be carried out in the Japanese capital itself before the start of the championships.
"This has been a whole sport response to a principle that we all fundamentally believe in, which is to protect the female category," said in Tokyo World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, who thanked the member federations for their cooperation in implementing the system. For the British official, this is a collective and necessary step to guarantee the integrity of the women's category.
To carry out the test, a buccal swab or a dried blood sample is required to detect the presence or absence of the SRY gene (Sex‑determining Region Y), which triggers male sexual development. In the federation's words about the genetic procedure, "The SRY test is extremely accurate and the risk of false negative or positive is extremely unlikely."
World Athletics also recalled that results may be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The regulations also provide for penalties, namely that any athlete who refuses to undergo the test will be excluded from international competitions that count towards the world rankings, although they will have the option of taking part in alternative non‑official events.
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Famous Reflects on Record-Breaking Season and Future
IslandStats.com
Bermudian high jumper Sakari Famous has been reflecting on her first season as a professional athlete, a campaign she described as a "really great foundation" for her career. The season was highlighted by a stunning national record and a return to the international stage.
"With just a few months of training, I was able to set a new national record, which felt like a surreal moment because I haven't really jumped that high in a few years," said Famous. Her new national record of 1.85m was set earlier in the year in Texas.
Famous also spoke of the value of competing at the NACAC Championships, where she represented Bermuda on the world stage. "It was also amazing because I got to compete with other high jumpers and represent my country," she added.
Looking ahead, Famous has her sights set on a move to Texas to train with Olympic-experienced coaches. "I'm moving to Texas to train with Olympic-experienced coaches, which will allow me to make any improvements not just in high jump technique but also being surrounded by Olympians and world-class athletes will help."
For now, with the season over, the focus is on rest and recovery. "It is time now for rest and recovery now that the season has arrived, but I will be getting ready for 2026," she concluded, with a clear focus on building on her recent success.
Sunday, August 24, 2025
Minors Claims Second in Tonypandy Track Classic
IslandStats.com
Bermudian middle-distance runner Dage Minors has delivered a strong performance at the Tonypandy Track Classic 2025 in Wales, claiming second place in the elite men's 1000m race.
Competing at the King George VI Athletics Track, Minors was in a tight contest for the duration. He finished with a time of 2:23.20, crossing the line just behind winner Jack Organ, who secured the victory in a time of 2:22.63.
Minors' performance is a testament to his consistent form and marks another strong result in a competitive field, showcasing his ability to compete with the best on the British track and field circuit.
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Bermudian Athletes Talk NACAC Championships
IslandStats.com
Bermudian athletes delivered a series of strong performances on Day Two of the 5th North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Athletics Championship.
In the field events, Tiara Derosa finished a commendable fifth in the Women's Discus Throw with a top toss of 48.36m. She was followed by Sakari Famous, who secured a superb fourth place in the Women's High Jump with a top leap of 1.80m.
Famous spoke about her experience after the competition, telling www.islandstats.com: "I always enjoy being able to compete at championships, I’m so grateful to be here and have done my best at the NACAC Championships. This experience just adds to the continuation of becoming a really great high jumper and I look forward to next season and achieving more."
On the track, both Dage Minors and Ryan Outerbridge competed in the Men's 1500m Run. Minors delivered a solid performance to finish sixth with a time of 3:47.70, while Outerbridge crossed the line in 10th place, stopping the clock in 3:53.38.
The results cap a productive day for the Bermudian contingent, with the athletes demonstrating their competitive spirit against a high-calibre international field.
