Swimming Federation congratulates SVG swimmers at Carifta Championships

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Swimming Federation (SVGSF), has extended congratulations to its four swimmers for their strong representation at the 39th  Carifta Aquatics Championships held in Martinique from April 3 to 8, 2026.

Bringing together more than 400 swimmers from 24 countries in the Caribbean region, the SVGSF said in a release that these regional swimmers are some of the best age group swimmers in the world.

Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Team SVG) was represented by four swimmers: Kione Deshong and Caghry Williams, who swam in the first year of the boys 13 to 14 age group; and Hazen Dabriel and Matthew Ballah who competed in the boys 15 to 17 age group.

The SVGSF said these young athletes did their best “and represented SVG with pride”.

Deshong won silver in the 200 meter breaststroke and a bronze medal in the 100 meter breaststroke, and became SVG’s first male swimmer to win medals in the first year of the boys 13 to 14 age group.

He also broke the SVG age group record in the 50 meter freestyle.

Caghry Williams qualified for the finals in the 50 meter breaststroke and 100 meter breaststroke events and placed 6th in both events. He also set five new personal best times in the 200 breaststroke, the 50 meter fly and breaststroke, and the 100 meter backstroke and breaststroke.

Dabriel qualified for the finals in the 200 meter backstroke where he placed 8th . He set five personal best times and broke two national open records in the 200 backstroke and the 200 meter individual medley. Hazen also broke three national age group records in the boys 15 to 17 age group in the 200 freestyle, the 200 backstroke, as well as the 200 individual medley.

Matthew Ballah swam in his last year of eligibility for Carifta and set two personal best times in the 50 meter fly and the 200 meter backstroke. He has represented SVG at five consecutive Carifta championships.

SVG swimmers have secured medals for 14 consecutive Carifta Championships, and the SVG Swimming Federation said it remains committed to the continued development of all it’s athletes and coaches, ensuring their future success. The team to the Carifta Championships was led by Coach, Tamarah St. Hillaire.