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Tyrique Charles & T’Keiya Smith first to qualify for CARIFTA 2026

- BVIAA looking forward to more athletes qualifying
Tyrique Charles qualified for the 2026 CARIFTA Games at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston, MA, on February 13, 2026, running a 22.01s. Photo: BVIAA
T'Keiya Smith qualified for the 2026 CARIFTA Games at the Dag Samuels Development Meet #3 on February 14, 2026, leaping over the 1.60m bar in the High Jump. Photo: BVIAA
T'Keiya Smith qualified for the 2026 CARIFTA Games at the Dag Samuels Development Meet #3 on February 14, 2026, leaping over the 1.60m bar in the High Jump. Photo: BVIAA
The 2026 CARIFTA Games will be hosted at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium in Grenada from April 4 to 6, 2026. Photo: Internet Source
The 2026 CARIFTA Games will be hosted at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium in Grenada from April 4 to 6, 2026. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Tyrique Charles and T'Keiya Smith are the first Virgin Islands (VI) athletes to qualify for the 53rd CARIFTA Games.

The BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA) announced on Sunday, February 15, 2026, that the qualifying standards were met in the 200m and high jump.

Charles qualified at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston, MA, on February 13, 2026, running a 22.01s in the 200M. 

The BVIAA called his race “phenomenal”, adding that he “demolished the 22.15s 200M qualifying standard”. 

“Tyrique undoubtedly has a score to settle as he returns to the Carifta Games in hopes of bringing home some metal,” the post stated. 

Ms Smith qualified at the Dag Samuels Development Meet #3 on February  14, 2026, leaping over the 1.60m bar in the High Jump, surpassing the 1.55m qualifying mark. 

She said she worked hard following the disappointment of not making the 2025 team. 

BVIAA elated 

President of the BVIAA, Steve Augustine, said the association is elated to have Charles and Smith, the VI’s first 2 qualifiers for the games and is looking forward to more athletes qualifying. 

Team VI has a track record as a formidable contender at the CARIFTA Games over the last few years, and expectations are high for this year’s CARIFTA Games. 

The 2026 CARIFTA Games will be hosted at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium in Grenada from April 4 to 6, 2026. 

10 Responses to “Tyrique Charles & T’Keiya Smith first to qualify for CARIFTA 2026”

  • okay (16/02/2026, 09:19) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Congrats to them. Their parents chat to much. They does running their mouth on other athletes. I hate it
  • yay (16/02/2026, 09:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats kids
  • okay (16/02/2026, 13:24) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    @okay. Yep!.....people need to stay far from her. She is a horrible person.
  • Set of crooks (16/02/2026, 15:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats to them.
    @okay. Youre correct! The parents are horrible. Saturday after the 100m race ( the daughter team came in fist and second). The coach went to the tent where they were selling food. He said, xyz came in first and xxx came in second. Hear the daughter mom, oh reall! So xyz beat xxx. Hear the coach rememember xxx was sick he's now recovering.

    Hear the coach,xxx will do better as that was his first race. Hear the daughter mother, nah you guys got to work on xyz he need to qualify( sound like she dont want xxx to even win).
    I will not allow my child to ever do track and field in the BVI. They are a set of evil people.
    • OH WOW (16/02/2026, 20:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      So you sure you understood what they were really saying cause this makes no sense to me. They are all on the same team. You sure you aint misunderstood the conversation because how do you know what conversations transpired to bring about their views....Congratulations to both of those athletes for qualifying. I don't know their parents but this comment sounds like information is missing.
  • Big Fan! (16/02/2026, 15:51) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Congratulations to both athletes! Keep reaching for the stars! Your family from Zone 6 are so proud of you! Love and blessings always!
  • @okay (16/02/2026, 17:25) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    she will eventually be exposed if she keep treating people like s***!
  • Rubber Duck (17/02/2026, 07:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    All the best the hard work and sacrifices are paying off
  • okay (17/02/2026, 08:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @oh wow. Read again. Yes they are on the same team. The 100m race the child who came in second is a faster runner. What I over heard the coach tell the daughter's mother s that the secind place was sick and just recovering so he couldnt deliver as he should.

    The coach said rememeber, so you know for sure the daughter mother mad a comment.

    To me the daughter mom dont want the second to win.
    I know them all, I always there.


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