Hewlett Smashes BVI Junior Pole Vault Record
British Virgin Islands athlete Paul Hewlett Jr. set a new national junior record in the pole vault at a championship meet in England. Hewlett cleared 3.20 meters in the under-20 decathlon, surpassing the previous record he set earlier this year at the CARIFTA Games. The performance marked an impressive comeback after a difficult start to the second day of competition.
British Virgin Islands multi-event athlete Paul Hewlett Jr. has written his name further into the territory's sporting history by breaking his own national junior record in the men's pole vault at an international competition in England. Hewlett achieved the milestone on Sunday during the Surrey County Combined Events and Relays Championships.
Competing in the men's under-20 decathlon, the young Virgin Islander cleared a height of 3.20 meters (10 feet, 5.75 inches), establishing a new benchmark for the discipline in the BVI. The performance notably improved upon his previous national junior record of 2.95 meters (9 feet, 8 inches), which he set in April while representing the British Virgin Islands at the 2026 CARIFTA Games in Grenada.
By adding a quarter of a meter to his previous mark, Hewlett demonstrated rapid technical development in one of track and field's most complex disciplines. Hewlett's record-setting vault was made even more remarkable by the context of his competition. Earlier on the second day of the decathlon, the athlete suffered a setback when he crashed out of the opening event.
Rather than letting the disappointment derail his entire weekend, Hewlett showed exceptional mental toughness and athletic maturity by resetting his focus and delivering his best career clearance in the very next event. Multi-event disciplines such as the decathlon require a wide range of athletic capabilities, demanding proficiency in sprints, hurdles, throws, and jumps.
Pole vaulting in particular requires high levels of speed, coordination, and technical precision, making Hewlett's continuous progress an encouraging sign for the future of BVI athletics. Hewlett's accomplishment adds to a strong run of performances by Virgin Islands athletes on the global and regional stages this season.
His resilience and determination in England showcase the growing depth of young athletic talent emerging from the territory.
Primary source: Virgin Islands Daily News (Website)