Miss Optical, Yanique Levy, is Miss Jamaica World Sports 2008. - Winston Sil/Freelance Photographer

The contestsants in the Miss Jamaica World Pageant 2008 tested their mettle in the gruelling Miss Jamaica World Sports competition on August 5 at the Campion College's playing field and the Spartan Health Club.

They competed in track and a fitness competition. The fitness competition had three parts, chin-ups, bench presses and spinning.

Top four

There were two heats in the track competition, with the top-four finishers in both heats advancing to the final. The track competition was overseen by Jamaican Olympic and double silver medallist Juliet Cuthbert. The first heat went to Miss Geddes Refrigeration Limited, Raecine Williams, while the second heat was won by Miss Quality Dealers, Marshagay Reynolds.

Convincing

However, it was Miss Optical Solutions, Yanique Levy, who went on to win the finals in convincing fashion ahead of Marshagay. Miss Ting, Monique Daley, finished in the third spot ahead of Raecine in fourth.

The chin-ups competition tested the girls' strength and endurance. In a battle royal there was a tie for first between Marshagay Reynolds and Miss OCS Electrical & Lighting, Chaka Laguerre. They were followed closely by Yanique Levy. Raecine Williams closed out the top four finishers.

It was then on to the bench press competition, where the ladies were tested to see who was able to do the most presses. This time it was Miss Guardian Fence, Jade Grant, who took the top spot, narrowly edging out Yanique Levy by one press. Chaka Laguerre was third with Miss Jergens, Sian Watts, completing the top four.

It then came down to the last event, the cycling competition. The girls were tested on 'spin' cycles to see who could go the farthest distance within a 15-minute time frame. Raecine Williams got the top spot, but just over Chaka Laguerre by one-10th of a mile. Miss Perfectil Skin, Hair and Nails, Arcadia Brown, captured third place. Miss Mitsubishi Jamaica, Nikita Byfield, took fourth position.

Close competition

It was a very close competition, but in the end Yanique Levy prevailed, edging out Chaka Laguerre to become Miss Jamaica World Sports. Marshagay Reynolds and Raecine Williams took third spot jointly. The top-four finishers had all enjoyed prior success in the sporting arena.

"I have been running since prep school days at St. Theresa's," a jubilant Yanique exclaimed. Yanique is the current UWI Games long jump record holder, with a leap of 6.28m in the 2007 UWI Games at the National Stadium.

The Miss Jamaica World Sports 2008 competition is one of five fast-track events that the ladies participate in to earn a spot in the top 10 for the August 16 grand coronation show at the Hilton Kingston Hotel.