Virgin Islands Sports Ambassador Michelle Smith won the gold medal in the women’s 400-meter hurdles Sunday at the inaugural Senior PANAM Championships, finishing in a championship record time of 54.93 seconds and qualifying for the 2027 PANAM Games in Lima, Peru, a press release announced.
Smith became the Virgin Islands’ first gold medalist of the championships with a wire-to-wire performance in one of track and field’s premier events. Her time of 54.93 seconds established a new championship record, according to the press release.
The victory automatically secured Smith a berth in the 2027 PANAM Games, where she will represent the Virgin Islands in Lima, the press release stated.
The gold medal adds another international accomplishment to Smith’s career and continues her success on the regional stage. As the Virgin Islands’ Sports Ambassador, Smith has represented the territory in major international competitions while serving as a role model for young athletes, the release stated.
Smith’s performance in Medellín also marked a milestone for the Virgin Islands delegation at the championships, delivering the territory’s first gold medal of the meet, it stated.
