Leading the way was Leshon Gibson of Bermuda High School who shattered Sonya Smith's long-standing mark in the Girls Under 15 discus.

Warwick Secondary School's dynamic duo of Stephen Woodley and Rohaan Simons achieved similar feats in the triple jump and high jump respectively.

But the early moments clearly belonged to Gibson as she flung the saucer-shaped object a whopping 79 feet, five inches to eclipse the established standard of 78 feet, four inches originally set in 1977 by Smith, who was then a student at Sandys Secondary School.

Smith was on hand to present the new torch-bearer her prize, a gleaming gold medal.

"I'm amazed, or you might say shocked to break the record,'' said a bubbly Gibson afterward. "I felt I had the power. God gave it to me, I was just glad to be able to put it to good use.

"My first throw was close so I had a feeling (I could break the record).'' Further increasing the magnitude of the accomplishment was the fact that this year marked the first time Gibson had seriously taken up the discipline.

Meanwhile, Smith, whose name is still associated with seven other current records, seemed relieved that someone had at last broken through the ranks and was at least threatening her mantle.

"I'm glad somebody finally broke it, it's about time,'' said Smith, renowned for her expertise in all throwing events -- javelin, shot putt and discus.

"I hope she continues to throw discus and can go even further in the sport. I see a lot of potential.'' Meanwhile, one of the more intriguing duels involved Carifta Games double medallist, Woodley, and Simons, who missed out on competing in Barbados because he was attending his brother Brian's wedding.

It was a classic case of David versus Goliath, with the tall, broad-shouldered Woodley using power and strength, while the diminutive Simons took the finesse approach.

First up was the triple jump and Simons quickly established himself as the one to beat -- jumping his way to 46 feet, 10 inches on his second attempt.

And for a while it looked as if the effort would hold. That is until Woodley, on his sixth and final attempt, uncoiled a leap of 48 feet, 53 inches that bettered Khari Sharieff's 47 feet, 83 inches set three years ago.

Simons too went past the old mark, soaring 48 feet, four inches, but was left to agonise over lost chances as he came up inches short of his comrade.

Although pleased with the accomplishment, Woodley did not rest on his laurels, remaining focussed on his current goal of conquering the 50 feet barrier.

"In the beginning I felt a bit sluggish and really needed to boost myself (toward the end),'' said Woodley. "What I did was use my imagination and make believe that I was back in Barbados with a full crowd around.

"My form is coming together, but not totally together.'' There was, however, a price to be paid, as Woodley had taxed his energy supply and flopped badly in what is regarded as his best event, the high jump.

Both Simons and Woodley entered the fray with the bar resting at six feet, 63 inches with all other competitors already eliminated.

Simons cleared the height on his first attempt, which broke Darryl Walwyn's six feet, 61 inches, and Woodley rapidly followed suit.

The bar was then raised to six feet, 83 inches where Simons again needed just a single attempt, while Woodley struggled, missing badly on three straight attempts, leaving Simons to wrest the glory and making for an intriguing rubber match today.

"I want to beat him,'' said Simons of today's match-up.

As for yesterday's showing Simons said: "The loss in the triple jump gave me incentive (in the high jump). I wanted it so bad, maybe too bad.

"I think my performance was good coming off a strenuous triple jump.

"I wanted to get the Commonwealth qualifying standard, but I was too tired.'' Several other fine performances were turned in, but all paled in comparison to that of the `big three', who simply stole the show.

Yesterday saw mainly heats being run in the sprints and middle distance track events with a bumper crowd of students expected on hand today to witness the finals.

Members of the public interested in viewing the event are reminded that there will be a $3 admission fee at the Parson's Road gate, while the eastern bleachers -- Frog Lane entrance -- have been reserved for students.

PASSING THE TORCH -- Former record-holder Sonya Smith, left, helps Leshon Gibson celebrate after the Bermuda High School student eclipsed Smith's mark.