BVI Athlete Deya Erickson to Soar at PANAM Games 2023

British Virgin Islands hurdler Deya Erickson had the honour of proudly carrying the territory’s flag on October 20 during the opening ceremony of the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

The eighteen-year-old in 2015, amidst winds clocking at +1.4 metres per second, achieved a remarkable feat by reducing her personal best time from 14.38 seconds to an astounding 14.09 seconds at the Carolina Spring Break Classic in Puerto Rico.

In doing so, she not only broke but shattered Arianna Forbes’ long-standing 100-metre hurdles national record, which had remained unbroken for nine years.

Erickson transitioned to the Under-20 class that season and continued to improve upon her previous record.

In 2014, she secured the fifth position in the Carifta Games Under-18 Girls final, and she also had the privilege of competing at the Youth Olympic Games.

In 2021, the teenager set a new BVI national record in the 100-metre hurdles on March 13, finishing second at the South Florida Collegiate Challenge three, with a time of 13.61 seconds.

This marked a significant improvement from her previous record of 13.8 seconds, which she established in 2018 in Toronto.

This young track star is poised to shine at the PanAm Games 2023 in Chile.

Erickson is one of four athletes representing the BVI at this prestigious event which concludes on November 5.