The Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation (VITFF) announced that Michelle Smith represented the Virgin Islands in an excellent manner at the 19th World Athletics (WA) Under 20 (U20) Championships held in Cali, Columbia from August 1-6, 2022.
Michelle Smith completed three consecutive days of competing in the 400m hurdles where she ran faster each day. Smith qualified automatically by being in the top two in each round of the 400m Hurdles. In the Semi-Final Smith set a New VI National U20 Record 57.83, which she followed up the next day by breaking the 26-year old VI National Record with a 57.48 and placing 5th in the World. Making her the youngest Virgin Islander to ever hold a National Record, and the highest finisher in a WA U20 competition.
The old National 400m hurdles record of 57.55 was held by Flora Hyacinth which was set in 1986 in Santiago, Dominican Republic when Hyacinth was 20 years old. Hyacinth went on to represent the Virgin Islands at three Olympic Games, eight World Championships, and numerous other international events. The only other time the VI made it to the finals at the WA U20 games was in 2010 Moncton Canada at the 13th IAAF World Junior Championships, where Allison Peter placed 7th in the final of the 200m.
Smith entered the competition ranked 16th in the world U20 and 4th in the world Under 18 (U18). Smith leaves the WA U20 competition ranked 5th in the world U20 and 2nd in the world U18. Smith was the youngest competitor at 16 years old to contest the 400m hurdles event. Again, please congratulate our Virgin Islands Track and Field superstar Michelle Smith on making history. Her future is bright indeed.
Full results: Cali 22 | WAU20 | World Athletics
The Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation would like to thank the VI Olympic Committee, Department of Sports Park and Rec and the VI Community for their continued support of our athletes.