Gymnasts chase bigger CARIFTA medal haul

President of Barbados Amateur Gymnastics Association, Sheldene Pinder. (Photo Credit: Kurtis Hinds) Barbados is sending its largest-ever team to the CARIFTA Artistic Gymnastics Championships, with 31 competitors heading to the Bahamas in pursuit of an even bigger medal haul. The championships are scheduled for November 13 to 16, and President of the Barbados Amateur Gymnastics Association (BAGA), Sheldene Pinder, is confident the expanded squad can build on the country’s strong performances at the regional competition. Barbados won 18 medals during the inaugural staging of the championships in 2025 and followed that with 17 medals in 2026 With a record number of gymnasts selected this year, Pinder is hopeful the increased representation will translate into greater success when the team takes to the floor in the Bahamas. During last year’s championship in Trinidad, the 20-member Barbadian delegation won 17 medals; two gold, nine silver, and six bronze. Speaking during the team’s official media launch at the Barbados Football Association’s Technical Centre on Saturday, Pinder also revealed that for the first time, competitors from Anomaly Dance Academy, will join participants from Flip Gym Barbados in the national squad. You Might Be Interested In Eleven members of the team will also be making their CARIFTA debut. Pinder said this year’s delegation is an extremely talented one. “When I saw the trials and I saw the progression from April to July, I was really impressed with the amount of work that these athletes have actually put in. I am optimistic that our athletes are going to show up in the Bahamas and do well.” While Pinder did not predict an exact number of medals which she believes the team can win, she’s confident Barbados will likely surpass last year’s total. “I don’t want to step on a limb and say that, you know, we’re going to get X amount, but I know for sure based on what I saw at the trials, I anticipate that we are probably going to match or exceed 17 medals this year.” “We came third overall last year and as you can imagine, our federation is small. We have countries like Jamaica and Trinidad, who have 19 to 20 gymnastics clubs, so they have more athletes to actually choose from. So while we ranked third, we still were extremely competitive.” Pinder said the local association has major plans for the future. “For us here in Barbados, we are looking forward to hosting CARIFTA in the very near future, because we believe in development and the only way that we can continue to develop our athletes is if we have an outlet and an opportunity for our athletes to showcase their talents. “CARIFTA is a strong brand and that is where our athletes will start to showcase their talents.” 2026 Team Barbados delegation Level 1 (7-8) Charlotte Hassell — Flip Gym Barbados,Jasmine Hassell — Flip Gym Barbados,Ava Gittens — Flip Gym Barbados,Nova Gittens — Flip Gym Barbados, Ava Letren — Anomaly Dance Academy. Level 2 (7-8) Ariana Heallis — Flip Gym Barbados. Level 2 (9-10) Danielle Lovell — Flip Gym Barbados. Level 3 (10-12) Zaila Alleyne — Flip Gym Barbados,Adalynn Reece — Flip Gym Barbados, Davina Lovell — Flip Gym Barbados, Sanai Gill — Flip Gym Barbados, Kaija Harper — Flip Gym Barbados. Level 4 (7-10) Shauna Francis — Flip Gym Barbados, Freya-Rose Hunte — Flip Gym Barbados, Mishka Mapp — Flip Gym Barbados, Khaleesi Marshall — Flip Gym Barbados, Naila Johnson — Anomaly Dance Academy. Level 4 (11-14) Sya Franklyn — Flip Gym Barbados, Dominique Thompson — Flip Gym Barbados,Tiana Thompson — Flip Gym Barbados,Thaliyah Dowrich — Flip Gym Barbados,Janai Harvey — Anomaly Dance Academy. Level 6 (13-16) Mariah Gill — Flip Gym Barbados, Anika Watkins — Flip Gym Barbados, Juliette Sonny — Flip Gym Barbados, Amber Haynes — Flip Gym Barbados, Kira Virassammy — Flip Gym Barbados. Level 7 (14-18) Jorja Bayley — Flip Gym Barbados, Za’Nyah Bostic-White — Flip Gym Barbados, Cyrina Walcott-Lloyd — Flip Gym Barbados, Daniella Small — Flip Gym Barbados. Team officials Charmaine Walcott – Team Manager, Amanda Bayley – Assistant Team Manager, Christina Gill – Safeguarding Officer, Alison Jackson – Head Coach, Jelani Brice – Assistant Coach, Darius Fields – Assistant Coach, Ericka Griffith – Assistant Coach, Marita Marshall – Head Physiotherapist, Alicia Olton – Assistant Physiotherapist, Lyneisha Ince – Media Personnel, Nathan Goddard-McCarthy. (KH)