Barbados swimming team shined at the recently concluded CARIFTA Aquatic Championship 2025, held in Trinidad and Tobago. The team amassed an impressive total of 32 medals, including 11 gold, 9 silver and 12 bronze medals that earned them around 461 points, securing sixth place in the Games.
Some of the outstanding performances came from Heidi Stoute, who is based in Florida and who competed in the 15-17 girls’ division. Heidi claimed 5 gold and 1 bronze medals in total.
While, Kaija Eastmond 4 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals respectively. Kajia also received the second highest points in the 11-12 age group category and was awarded the 11-12 Performance Trophy for scoring the highest AQUA points in a single event. Not only this, Kajia also broke one CARIFTA record and two national records.
A 13-year-old Theo Narain also gave Barbados a gold medal as well as one silver and one bronze medal. Meanwhile, Mihael Sobers earned one silver and three bronze medals. Gabriella Babb, Zachary Ladipo and Jaiya Simmons also contributed to the medal count. Babb won one silver and one bronze medal, while Lapido won one bronze and Jaiya Simmons won one silver and one bronze medal.
Joshua Ross claimed one silver and one bronze medal. In the girls’ 11-12 4x50m relay, the Bajan girls -Taija Hall, Jayla-Marie Blunte, Gabby Babb and Kaija Eastmond, won the bronze medal. Meanwhile, under the 15-17 Girls 4x100m relay team of Jaiya Simmons, Toria Alleyne, Ayoka Martin and Heidi Stoute won the silver medal while setting a New National Record in this event.
A new national record was also set in the 15-17 Girls 4x200m when the team of Toria Alleyne, Jaiya Simmons, Isabella Mayers and Heidi Stoute won the gold medal. While, the girls team including athletes, Jaiya Simmons, Toria Alleyne, Ayoka Martin and Heidi Stoute- in the 15-17 age group delivered another national record in the 4x50m and took the silver medal in that event.
In the Open Water Swimming, 14-year-old Laila McIntyre won the bronze medal in the girls’ 14-15 Girls 5K. The Barbados Swimming Association appreciated all these for their remarkable performances throughout the tournament and described them as the future of the nation.
CARIFTA Aquatic Swimming Championship 2025
The CARIFTA Aquatics Championship is an international age-group competition that brings together athletes from across the Caribbean to compete in various aquatic disciplines. The 38th edition was conducted in Trinidad and Tobago, giving hundreds of athletes, a platform to showcase their skills, abilities and techniques on an international platform.
Combined top 10 teams at CARIFTA Aquatic Swimming Championship
- Bahamas – 979 points
- Jamaica – 795.50 points
- Trinidad and Tobago – 735 points
- Cayman Islands – 477.50 points
- Aruba – 469 points
- Barbados – 461 points
- Martinique – 327 points
- Antigua and Barbuda – 217 points
- Virgin Islands – 173 points
- Saint Lucia – 148 points
