KIRANI JAMES (Athlete)
Another outstanding year for a gifted young athlete and remarkable student, culminating in more record performances and graduation from high school, with a very promising college career ahead.
In April of 2009, in St. Lucia, Kirani James established a CARIFTA games record of 45.45 seconds in the 400 meters earning for himself the Austin Sealy Award for the Games Most Outstanding Performer.
In July of 2009, he won both the 200 meters and 400 meters at the 6th IAAF World Youth (under-18) Championships in Bressanone, Italy. In the 400 meters he established a championship record of 45.24 seconds, the fastest time ever, over that distance, by a Caribbean athlete under the age of 18. His stunning performances impressed the international media drawing favorable comparisons to World and Olympic champion, Usain Bolt. In fact, some in the media dubbed him “the next Usain Bolt”. However the soft-spoken James declares that is wants to write “his own history”.
In addition to his exploits on the track Kirani was also able to complete a fantastic high school career, ending with 9 CXC passes.
As he prepares for the next stage of his life and career the expectations for Kirani James remain very high and if his accomplishments so far are any indication of what is to come then the town of Gouyave, the Parish of St. John and all of Grenada will have a lot to be even more proud of in the very near future.
HONORABLE MENTION
WILT CAMBRIDGE (aka TALLPREE) (Soca Artiste) – ten years ago this dynamic performer and skilful writer took the world by storm with is larger-than-life hit ‘Ole Woman Alone’, (yes, it has been ten years already). Tallpree is set to duplicate the success of the 1999 hit with one of his recordings for the 2009 carnival season. ‘Wicked Jab’ has already dominated international carnivals such as New York’s Labor Day and Miami’s Carnival. Set on an energetic jab jab riddim named Gutter, the new hit has audiences re-living a true Grenadian jab jab experience whenever and wherever the song is played. A place in the local Calypso semi-final competition further re-affirmed the immense talent of Vendome’s most popular citizen.
