Thomas ready to defend gold at Island Games

By Cayman Sports Buzz
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: 22 June 2017

Defending NatWest Island Games women’s javelin gold medalist Daneliz Thomas is eager to add another medal to her collection, as she represents the Cayman Islands at this year’s games being held in the Swedish island of Gotland.

“I feel very confident heading back to the Island Games. I don’t want to sound too overconfident because I could have some competition there but I’m very confident,” she said in a recent interview.

Two years ago in Jersey, Thomas topped the podium with a throw of 38.54 metres. Since then, she’s improved and has a best distance of 42.10 metres.

Speaking with CaymanSportsBuzz.com after winning her event (39.77 metres) at the Invictus Reggae Classic Track and Field Meet at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex earlier this month, Thomas said she was in good form.

The 18-year-old failed to medal at the Flow CARIFTA Games in Curacao in April but she’s confident he name will be called in Gotland. With that in mind, she’s been putting in the work to make that happen.

“Training has been a lot more intense for me as I am trying to get the gold again. Even though CARIFTA was kind of a setback for me, I’m trying to make that not get in my way and keep myself motivated and keep my head up,” she said.

Just representing the Cayman Islands though is an honour she does not take lightly. “It’s quite an overwhelming feeling to know that I’m going away and wearing my country’s colours,” Thomas said.

She competes on Monday, 26 June.

Thomas is joined by 11 other track and field athletes on the team that started arriving in Gotland on 22 June. Other team members include: Aijah Lewis (high jump,long jump), Shalysa Wray (200m, 400m), Pearl Morgan (400m), Jamal Walton (100m, 200m, 400m), Kemar Hyman (100m), Lemar Reid (high jump), Alex Pascal (javelin), Dominic Dyer (1500m, 5000m), Jeavhon Jackson (400m hurdles), Taj Lewis (800m), and Carl Morgan (triple jump).