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by pltm
(PLTM) - BVIslanders are now betting their all on the last competitor from the British Virgin Islands to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.
Eldred Henry, 22, is set to participate in the Men’s Shot Put qualifications round tomorrow, Thursday, August 18th 2016 at approximately 9:00 am. If he advances, he will participate in the finals scheduled for later that same day.
Eldred has done the Territory proud on numerous occasions. In July of this year, he won the Discus Throw and Shot Put bronze medals during the IX North American, Central America and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) U23 Championships in San Salvador, El Salvador.
In 2015, Eldred was the first Central Arizona College athlete in its history to crack the 20m barrier with the 16lbs canon ball. This feat replaced a 10 year-old outdoor mark of 18.96m (62’2½”) set by Chima Ugwu, a Nigerian two time Olympian.
His throw also shattered the 41 year-old National Jr. College Indoor mark of 18.82m (61’8¾”) by Mesa College’s Mark Semkiw, a measurement that stood since 1974.
The throw earned him the National Jr. College Regional 2015 Awards title of Men’s Field Athlete of the Year.
Amongst his list of accolades, Eldred also held the O.E.C.S. record in the Discus Throw with a mark of 61.90m (203′ 0″) achieved in 2014.
Eldred currently boasts of a personal best in Shot Put of 20 meters (outdoor) and 19.08 meters (indoor).
He is the Territory’s last hope of Olympic medal, as his teammates have all been dropped from the competition.
On August 15th, Ashley Kelly participated in the Women’s 200m heats and completed the race in 5th place with a time of 23.61. Unfortunately, she did not advance to the semi-finals as only the first and second placements, along with the 6 fastest times moved forward.
On August 12th, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott placed 6th in the Women’s 100m preliminary round, round 1. She also did not advance to the semi-finals as there were a total of 8 rounds, where only the first and second placements of each round advanced on to the next round, along with the next best 8 times. Tahesia ranked 37 out of a total of 67 sprinters.
Earlier that same day, Elinah Phillip placed third in the Women’s 50m Freestyle heats. Her performance secured her a new personal best time and set a new National Record with a time of 26.26. She did not advance to the semi-finals as only the top 16 moved through. She ranked 48 of the 88 swimmers.
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