Only a handful of track and field athletes can boast of having a similar mastery in the multiple branches of the sports. Well, the great Carl Lewis used to grace the category. With nine Olympic medals in the cabinet, the American legend once reigned supreme in sports like sprinting and long jump. However, since his retirement in the 1990s, the number of such versatile athletes has come to a standstill. But fret not! Anthaya Charlton might bring a few changes to the present scenario. How?

On January 31, Anthaya Charlton took a massive jump at the Razorback Invitational. It was her first attempt this season and Charlton converted it to her stepping stone to reach fame. And what was her process? In the Invitational, the 21-year-old made a humongous 6.98-meter jump, shattering the Bahamian national record in the event. Additionally, the mark stood as the second in the all-time list of the women’s NCAA indoor long jump. And who’s the first one on the list? Guess.

Jasmine Moore still graces the top position on the collegiate indoor all-time list. However, Anthaya’s second rank may not lack limelight. The number she amassed has some importance. Such as? The jump made her go past the reigning Olympic champion Tara Davis-Woodhall’s milestone set during her collegiate career. Not only that, setting the world-leading time on the track didn’t leave her tired. She promptly came back with more fire in her belly. 

In her next attempt in the Razorback Invitational, Anthaya Charlton marked another massive jump. This time, it ticked 6.85m in the measuring meter. The second-best world lead timing this season! That’s how the Bahamian athlete set two best timings on the world list this season in just two consecutive attempts! Any doubt about her mastery in track and field sports? Well, count her expertise in sprinting. 

Last year, Anthaya Charlton had left her boisterous presence in the long jump events. Also, she left her mark on the events, 60m, 100m, and in the 4x100m relays. Among those, her numbers set at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational and the LSU Invitational paved her way to be named the SEC Women’s Field Athlete of the Week. How? In the Tom Jones Invitational, she stamped a mark of 6.60m/21’8” (-2.3) in the long jump event. Alongside that, in the women’s 100m event, she claimed the third rank, taking a time of 11.57 seconds. The next contest, however, set everything apart. 

In Baton Rouge, Anthaya Charlton set the floor on fire. How? In the LSU Invitational last year, the top podium in the women’s long jump event came to her after the sophomore achieved a distance of 6.74m/22’1.5″ (+4.4), securing first place at the meet. Had it not been for the wind, this distance would have matched her personal best, which she recorded at the 2023 SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Baton Rouge. Furthermore, this mark would have placed her as the top performer in the NCAA for 2024 and elevated her to No. 4 on Florida’s All-Time Top 10 list. However, she didn’t remain meek in the 4x100m relays as well. 

Anthaya’s contribution helped the Gators claim the sixth position in the women’s 4x100m relay event. This kind of all-around performance helped her gain the SEC Athlete of the Week. After her transfer from the Kentucky Wildcats to the Florida Gators in 2023, the achievement established her in a firm position. However, Anthaya’s shift from Kentucky Wildcats came as a surprise move in 2023. Well, her sprint coach Tim Hall’s shift from the Wildcats allegedly made her change camps. And talking about the connection with track and field sports, the phenom has some shared nerves. 

What paved Anthaya Charlton’s way to land in track and field sports? 

Coming from Nassau, Bahamas, Anthaya Charlton had her early education at St. Augustine’s College High School. But her link to track and field sports came from her father and older sister. And who are they? 

Anthaya’s father, David Charlton, has a renowned place in the Bahamian track and field circuit. He was a 400m hurdler and high jumper. David has also left his mark in coaching. He became the head coach for the very first Bahamas’ National Team attending the World Championships in 1983 in Helsinki.

And what about Anthaya’s sister? Devynne Charlton is her elder sister. The reigning world indoor champion and the world record holder in the women’s 60 mH event must have had a significant impact on Anthaya. Additionally, for Anthaya, a chunk of support to live her athletic dream must have also come from her mother, Laura Pratt-Charlton, the esteemed businesswoman and pharmacist in the region. Laura seems to have been a source of support for both her daughters. This can be gauged from the fact that she accompanied Devynne to Hawaii for the training camp held for the Tokyo Olympics.

The result of this all-around support is visible in Anthaya’s achievements. Last year, she found her name on the list of 2024 USTFCCCA Outdoor First Team All-American (long jump). And her opening event this year has made her the world leader in the women’s long jump event. Did you expect to see her in such a position beforehand? Drop your comment.