SPORTS SECTION E
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2026
NPPPSSA - PAGE 2
Devynne Charlton breaks her own national record !"#!$%&'#(')!!( *+,-.#(/0123#%4,201 !"#$!!"%#&'!$()*)+',-()# FOURTH-ranked Devynne Charlton sped to a national record for second place behind the top-ranked American world record holder Masai Russell as the two training partners clashed in the women's 100 metres hurdles at the Wanda Diamond League Final. They were joined by Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds as the three competitors, coached by Bahamian Rolando “Lonnie” Greene at the University of Kentucky, went head-to-head in the marquee event on the final day of competition in the Memorial Ivo Van Damme at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium. While Russell took the tape in a meet record of 12.20 seconds - a week after she lowered the world record to 12.09 in Zurich Charlton came through in 12.33 to improve on her own national record of 12.37. Simmonds finished third in a season's best of 12.43, surpassing her previous time of 12.47 with former world record holder Tobi Amusan of Nigeria in fourth in 12.54, well off her season’s best of 12.23. Charlton, the 30-yearold world indoor 60 metres hurdles record holder, used her signature start to surge out front for the first eight flights of the 10 hurdles. But Russell, the 28-yearold Olympic champion, caught Charlton on the ninth flight and took control on the 10th and final flight to seal the deal and secure the jackpot of $60,000 for the win to add to her series earnings of $30,000.
Charlton 2nd behind Masai Russell as they clash in 100m hurdles at Wanda Diamond League Final
56&789*#5):;./,",'.0$"")11.,(+.2)34(().56,&1#7(8.&'96#8.+&,:)+.'(.#6)'&.;*)&'<,(.,(+.=,6,*',(.>1,9".&)":)<#'3)14-Charlton, cashing in $20,000 for second place and another $4,000 for her fourth place in the series,
said she gave it her best shot. "I had an amazing start and I thought I was going
to win," Charlton said. "Unfortunately, I hit a hurdle in the second half of the race and that kicked me
back a little bit and cost me the win." Despite falling short, Charlton said she’s still
happy with the second place and the national record. For Russell, it was another victory to celebrate.
‘Selfless spirit’ Guard Franco Miller Jr Rebels Neville Wisdom signs with team in China draw first blood dies at age of 76 !"#<:&7'=7&# !)$$:>( '1,?@A-#(/0123#$-/012-1 jburrows@ tribunemedia.net
!"#!$%&'#(')!!( *+,-.#(/0123#%4,201 !"#$!!"% #&'!$()*)+',-()# NEVILLE Wisdom, who helped to transform sports as a coach and an administrator, died on Saturday morning, leaving a generation of local and international competitors saluting him for his contributions. Wisdom laid down a solid foundation as a long-time coach at the Government High School and the Bain Town Flyers Track Club and he was the ninth Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture. The 76-year-old proprietor of Florarama leaves behind his loving wife Manita Wisdom, son Donovan Wisdom, brothers Dr Keith and Evon Wisdom and a host of relatives and friends, including an outstanding cast of national star athletes. Troy Kemp, the men’s high jump world champion from the1995 World Championships in Athletics, who still holds the Bahamian national record at 7-feet, 9 3/4-inches or 2.38 metres that he
NEVILLE WISDOM established in 1995, said he owes Wisdom a great debt of gratitude. "He was one of the coaches to produce a new generation of athletes at the time," Kemp said. "How much he meant to do came from the training that he gave all of us during that time to mould us to do better. "Before I became involved in club sports, he was a friend of our family and so there is a history that goes back a bit. I last saw him about two years ago for the Athletics Alumni Association honoured him. He was an inspiration, an intelligent person, a great
SEE WISDOM, Page 4
BAHAMIAN guard Franco Miller Jr is headed to China as he enters the next chapter of his professional basketball career after signing with the NingBo Rockets of the Chinese Basketball Association. The 27-year-old Miller joins NingBo after a summer in which he continued to establish himself as one of The Bahamas’ most important players on the international stage. The signing was reported on September 4. The move gives Miller another opportunity to build on the progress he has made since leaving the collegiate ranks, having already played professionally in Spain and the NBA G League while also hooping with The Bahamas’ senior national team in hopes of FIBA qualification. Miller spent the 202526 season with the Santa Cruz Warriors, the NBA G League affiliate of the Golden State Warriors. He appeared in 29 regular-season games, averaging 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 21.1 minutes
!"#<:&7'=7&# !)$$:>( '1,?@A-#(/0123#$-/012-1 jburrows@ tribunemedia.net
per game. He shot 35.6 per cent from the field, 28.7 per cent from three-point range and 73.5 per cent from the free-throw line. His strongest performance of the G League season came in the Warriors’ regular-season finale in March, when Miller exploded for a career-high
35 points against the Texas Legends. He knocked down seven three-pointers and added five assists and two steals. Miller’s international production has been even more significant. With The Bahamas continuing its
THE Rebels drew first blood in their championship rematch with the Reapers on Friday night, overcoming an early deficit before pulling away for an 11-5 victory in game one of the New Providence Amateur Baseball League championships at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium. The win gives the Rebels an early advantage in a rivalry that has been heating up since last year’s championship series, when the Reapers captured the league’s inaugural title after defeating the Rebels 4-2 in the decisive fifth game. The two teams are now meeting for the championship again in the league’s second season since its return in 2025 following a 19-year absence. The Reapers entered the championship series as the top team in the regular season, finishing with a 15-2 record, while the Rebels placed second at 14-2-1, with their lone tie separating the two teams in the standings.
SEE SIGNING, Page 2
SEE BASEBALL, Page 2