FROM LEFT: Norman Cartwright, Craig Ferguson, Zane Munro.

As of Tuesday, July 12, 2022

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Minister Bowleg with rising star sailors.

#MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg met 13-year-old youth sailing champion Craig Ferguson upon his return home.

#Ferguson won the gold medal in the Silver Fleet division at a sailing competition in Bodrum, Turkey.

#Also returning home with him from the competition were Zane Munro and Norman Cartwright.

#Munro placed 4th in the Silver Fleet division while Cartwright came 6th in the Emerald Fleet division.

#Minister Bowleg met the young sailors at Lynden Pindling International Airport, along with a celebration Junkanoo rushout.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/12/young-sailor-craig-ferguson-brings-home-gold/?news

THE BAHAMAS Host team won the gold medal in the U12 division with a 3-0 shutout win over Cuba. With the win, they advance to represent the Caribbean Region at the Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series in Branson, Missouri.

As of Tuesday, July 12, 2022

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TEAM Bahamas took gold in both the U16 and U12 divisions, and won an additional bronze in the U12 division at the conclusion of the five day tournament at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

THE BAHAMAS Tournament team won the bronze medal with an 8-0 win over Aruba. They finished with a 6-1 record.

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE Bahamas claimed three medals at the inaugural Babe Ruth Caribbean Region Championships and Invitational.

#The teams took gold in both the U16 and U12 divisions, and won an additional bronze in the U12 division at the conclusion of the five-day tournament at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

#The Bahamas Host team won the gold medal in the U12 division with a 3-0 shutout win over Cuba. With the win, they advance to represent the Caribbean Region at the Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series in Branson, Missouri.

#The team, managed by Javier Bowe, opened tournament play with a 6-5 win over Cuba followed by a 2-1 win over Aruba and a 4-0 loss to the Bahamas Tournament team.

#They recovered from the pair of losses and ended the tournament with three consecutive wins, 7-0 over Puerto Rico, 7-4 over Aruba in the semifinal and the win in the final over Cuba to finish the tournament with a 4-2 record.

#Antwon Bain was named MVP while Chishard Thompson Jr was the winning pitcher and was named the top defensive player.

#Thompson pitched four shutout innings with eight strikeouts and gave up just a single hit. Bain went 2-3 with an RBI, Alijah Butler was 1-2 and Kamdyn Miller went 1-3.

#The Bahamas scored all of their runs in the third inning when Leslie Sands Jr scored on a wild pitch, Thompson scored on a sacrifice fly from Ralph Burrows and Bain drove in the third run.

#Bain was also named the best hitter of the tournament after hitting .500 (7-14) with four runs and five RBI.

#The Bahamas Tournament team won the bronze medal with an 8-0 win over Aruba. They finished with a 6-1 record.

#Cavian Roberts surrendered just a single hit en route to the win and totalled five strikeouts on the afternoon.

#At the plate, Trae Neymour went 2-3, highlighted by his 2-run “in the park” home run, two RBI and two runs, Jordan Archer was 1-2 with one RBI and one run and Marlon Bostwick Jr went 2-3 with two RBI and scored a run.

#Javan Smith won the top defensive player award after he finished the tournament with 16 strikeouts.

#Offensively for Bahamas Tournament team, Kaizen Dorsett had a .588 (10-17) batting average with seven RBI and six runs over the course of the tournament.

#The team had the number one seed in tournament play after five consecutive wins, 20-0 over the Cayman Islands, 6-0 over Puerto Rico, 4-0 over Bahamas Host, 5-0 over Cuba and 3-2 over Aruba. They lost 7-2 to Cuba in the semifinals before the bronze medal win.

#In the 16U Division, The Bahamas, managed by Greg Burrows Jr, won 13-6 over team USA in yesterday’s final and finished the tournament with a 6-2 record.

#The bats for team Bahamas came alive in that final with five home runs to power the gold medal game. Rashawn Pinder hit two home runs, Breyas Dean added two home runs and Andru Arthur added another home run.

#Pinder finished 3-4 with a game high five RBI and two runs, Dean went 2-3 with two RBI, Arthur was 2-4 with two runs and two RBI, Chad Delancy was 2-5 with two runs and two RBI and Dionton James was 1-4 with two RBI.

#They opened the tournament with a 4-1 win over Netherlands. On day two they lost to Puerto Rico 4-2, but followed with a 20-0 win over Aruba. On day three, they followed with a 6-2 win over St Maarten and a 9-4 win over the USA in the second half of a double header.

#In Sunday’s semifinal, The Bahamas suffered a 15-13 loss to the USA relegating them to a bronze medal elimination game against Puerto Rico. They avenged an earlier loss to Puerto Rico with a 7-0 win to advance to the gold medal game.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/12/bahamas-claims-2-gold-bronze-babe-ruth-caribbean-r/?news

 Home|Sports|The Bahamas beats Cuba!Sports

Host team wins Caribbean Championship; tournament team wins bronze

Sheldon LongleySend an emailJuly 12, 2022 211 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Behind a dominating pitching effort, Team Bahamas host team shut out Cuba, 3-0, to capture the Babe Ruth Caribbean Region 12-and-Under (12U) Championship at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex on Monday.

Chrishad Thompson Jr. was masterful, surrendering just one hit in four innings of work and relief pitchers Chrispin Rodgers and Leslie Sands Jr. closed the door on the Cubans who had knocked out The Bahamas’ tournament team, 7-2, in the semifinals.

Host team manager Javier ‘Sonic’ Bowe said it’s a sweet feeling winning the overall title. They will now go on to represent The Bahamas at the Cal Ripken Major70 World Series at Ballparks of America in Branson, Missouri, from August 4-13, 2022.

The tournament team actually came into the five-day classic as the top team out of The Bahamas, with the majority of their players being on the gold medal team from the Bahamas Baseball Association (BBA) National Championships in June. However, this past weekend, pitching was key, and it was the host team’s effort from the mound that stood out the most.

“Our team just started to gel at the right time. They just went out there and got the job done,” said Bowe. “Right now, it’s back to preparation and getting their minds right, and getting them ready to play for the world series tournament. This event gave them a lot of confidence and they want to keep it going.”

Bowe said they looked at the entire situation as an opportunity to go out there and prove what they could do.

“When they picked the teams, the guys understood that they were still within the best 28 in their division. We knew what that meant,” said Bowe. “We had some bumps in the road along the way, but after I got them to relax and play the way they’re capable of playing, it all came together for us. Our slogan was ‘we’re all we got, we’re all we need’. As long as they went out there and played for the person on the side of them, play for each other, we were sure that we were going to win.”

Thompson, who hails from Freeport, Grand Bahama, mowed down opposing hitters one by one at the plate. The Cuban batters couldn’t catch up to his fast ball. Thompson reached his pitch count at the end of the fourth inning. Rodgers worked around a lead-off walk to keep Cuba off the scoreboard in the top of the fifth, and Sands did the same thing in the sixth. With a lead-off walk and an ensuing single, Cuba put the first two runners on base in the top of the sixth inning. Sands got the next batter to fly out to center field, but an error loaded the bases. Cuba’s next two batters had a pop fly and grounded out to second to end the game in The Bahamas’ favor.

“Chrishad gave us just what we needed on the mound today. His nickname in our circle is ‘the little monster’, because he is big. He is bigger than most of the other kids. All we asked him to do was to go out there and give it his best and he did that. In the nationals, he pitched two shutout games so we knew what he was capable of doing. He went out there and gave us a great effort and we had more than enough to back him up,” said Bowe.

Bowe said he wasn’t worried at all when Cuba loaded the bases in the sixth and brought the go-ahead run to the plate.

“We were hitting last so I was comfortable that 

whatever happened, we would have an opportunity to respond. Given the crowd support and what they are capable of doing, I had no doubt that we would have responded if we needed to,” said Bowe. “This feels good – as a coach and here at home in these circumstances, it’s a good feeling.”

Team Bahamas catcher Antwon Bain led The Bahamas at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance with a RBI (run batted in). He was named as the best hitter in the tournament.

“We came out successful and it feels good,” said Bain. “We had confidence in ourselves. We knew what we were capable of doing and we went out there and did it. I had trust in our pitchers to go out there and get the job done and that’s what they did.”

Thompson was named as the best defensive player of the tournament. It was his bunt single in the bottom of the third that forced a throwing error from the Cuban pitcher. A run scored on the play and Thompson ended up on third. He came home on a sacrifice fly to right field and The Bahamas scored another run to take a 3-0 lead. The pitching led the way for the team the rest of the way.

Cuba’s catcher Yonathan Hechavaria was named as the tournament’s best catcher.

The Bahamas tournament team won the bronze medal game, taking down Aruba, 8-0, and The Bahamas also won the 16U (16-and-Under) Invitational gold medal, beating the United States of America (USA) in the gold medal game, 13-6. 

https://thenassauguardian.com/the-bahamas-beats-cuba/

 Home|Sports|School children in Inagua taught the sport of soccerSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailJuly 13, 2022 150 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

MATTHEW TOWN, Inagua — If Inagua is the best kept secret in The Bahamas, then soccer in Inagua is the second-best. That was until last week when the children on summer break were introduced to the game by Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Force Chief Petty Officer (FCPO) Bursil Daxon and his fellow marines along with assistance from the Inagua All-Age School Physical Education (PE) Department.

FCPO Daxon was transferred to the base in Inagua from New Providence four months ago, where in his marines capacity, he also served the community as the head coach of the Dynamos Football Club’s under-13 girls program. As soon as he got to the base, he saw an opportunity to engage the youth in the community by introducing them to soccer. He contacted the offices of the Bahamas Football Association (BFA) and requested assistance. The BFA followed through and the equipment requested.

FCPO Daxon got assistance from fellow marines Able Seaman (A/B) Ritchie, Woman Marine (W/M) Russell, W/M Thompson, W/M Pearce and Marine Seaman (M/S) Williams. Additionally, they got the support of Inagua All-Age Principal Nishgo Bain-Collie, PE teacher Tara Lindo and volunteer Mr. Jones.

With this team behind him, FCPO Daxon ran a week-long soccer camp. The children turned out, took part in the fun sessions, and in the end, they got a personal soccer ball each to continue practicing what they learned during the camp. FCPO Daxon said: “The kids were very eager to learn, they are very athletic.” He said he saw the potential for further growth on the island. FCPO Daxon returns to New Providence next week, but will certainly keep in touch with the progress on the island.

With the implementation of the FIFA Football 4 Schools project, a new program brought forward by FIFA (International Federation of Association Football), the Bahamas Football Association (BFA) will continue to assist by having its technical department visit the island in an effort to continue to give the children in Inagua an opportunity to develop in the sport.

https://thenassauguardian.com/school-children-in-inagua-taught-the-sport-of-soccer/

 Home|Sports|Records fall at swimming nationalsSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailJuly 13, 2022 186 5 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

It was a competitive four days of swimming at the Bahamas Aquatics Federation’s 50th National Swimming Championships over the Independence Day holiday weekend. The tight competition led to some records being broken and times lowered. Lamar Taylor led the way with two national records at the Betty Kelly-Kenning National Swim Complex.

The meet began on Thursday and wrapped up on Independence Day on Sunday.

Taylor, who swims for the Mako Aquatics Club, was able to break the national record in the 18-and-over men 50 meters (m) backstroke then he lowered his own national record in the 100m freestyle.

In the 50m backstroke, it was a tight race between him and the previous owner of the record, his teammate DaVante Carey. The two pushed each other as they both dipped under the previous national record time of 26.10 seconds. In the end, it was Taylor who touched the wall first with a new national record and personal best time of 25.93 seconds. Carey finished with a personal best of 25.99 seconds for the second-place finish.

Taylor was brilliant in the pool in the 100m free as he lowered his previous national record from 50.36 seconds to 50.25 seconds to win that race. It is the second time in less than a month that he has lowered the national record in the 100m free. He swam 50.36 seconds at the FINA (International Swimming Federation) World Swimming Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in June.

“It was a good race for me. I felt like I took it out very well and came back fast. I felt strong in the water. This meet was to go through race strategies and see how I will swim my races at the Commonwealth Games. It was not about me stressing myself,” Taylor said.

The 18-year-old sprinter set the meet record in the 50m free when he clocked 22.77 seconds. He broke Vereance Burrows’ former mark of 23.01 seconds set back in 2016.

The Henderson State University swimmer is looking forward to the Commonwealth Games.

“I just want to be comfortable with my swims. I know what I have to work on heading into Commonwealth Games. I will try and do some big things at Commonwealth,” Taylor said.

Carey and Taylor went head-to-head again in the 100m back. This time Carey touched the wall first as he lowered his own meet record from 57.60 seconds to 57.58 seconds. Taylor posted a time of 57.83 seconds to take home the silver medal.

The Barracuda’s Alissa Ferguson set two national age group records and five meet records in the 9-10 girls age category. She set them in the 50m back, 100m back, 200m free, 100m breast and 200 individual medley (IM) events. Ferguson got started with her records when she touched the wall in a new national age group and meet record time of 35 seconds flat to win the 50m back.

“It was a good meet for me. I did not expect all of those records because I only came to drop times and do my best. I am very happy that I got them. The 100 meters back was the most difficult for me to swim because I had a lot of competition in that race,” Ferguson said.

In the 100m back, Ferguson comfortably broke the meet record with a strong swim of 1:18.73. The swim smashed a 17-year record of 1:19:89 which was held by Bria Deveaux. Ferguson went on to smash another meet record set by Deveaux. This time it was in the 200m freestyle in which she clocked 2:30.23. Deveaux had the previous record of 2:32.19.

It was a battle for Ferguson in the 200m IM. She and YMCA WaveRunners’ Skyler Smith were in a heated battle for first place. In the end, the two could not separate themselves from each other as they touched the wall at the same time in 2:49.46. The duo broke Je’Nae Saunders’ 17-year record of 2:50.49.

Ferguson’s fifth and final meet record came in the 100m breast where she dominated, clocking 1:29.61. The previous record of 1:29.68 was held by Leylah Knowles.

The Barracuda’s Rhanishka Gibbs set a meet record in the 15-17 girls 50m butterfly and also in the 50m breast. In the 50m fly, Gibbs clocked 28.62 seconds to get the record. Gibbs went on to post 33.11 seconds to get the record in the 50m breast.

Mako’s Keianna Moss swam her way to the 15-17 girls 100m fly meet record. She posted a time of 1:04.84.

“I was very surprised when I looked at the clock and saw the time,” Moss said. “I have been trying to swim that time for a while. It was great that I was able to do it in front of my family and friends. The meet was amazing and I did a lot better than I expected. I surprised myself in a couple of the races. I was prepared mentally for my races and that helped me when I got into the pool.”

Grand Bahama native Lelah Lewis had a strong meet. The WaveRunners’ swimmer was able to lower the 11-12 girls 50m fly record with a time of 30.12 seconds. The Barracuda’s Saleste Gibson also went under the previous national record of 30.75 seconds when she swam 30.41 seconds.

“It was exciting and an honor to break a record,” Lewis said. “I breathed less and kicked more. It was a nerve-racking meet because I did not know how fast they were until I got in the water,”

Lewis’ teammate Marvin Johnson swam a time of 1:57.00 for the meet record in the 15-17 boys 100m free. Nigel Forbes, who also swims for the WaveRunners, was able to secure the meet record in the 15-17 boys 200m fly. The 16-year-old clocked 2:03.27 to win that race.

The Black Marlins’ Caden Wells showed that he is one of those swimmers to keep an eye on. The 14-year-old swimmer lowered Forbes’ 13-14 boys 50m breast meet record. Wells clocked 30.21 seconds to top Forbes’ three-year record time of 30.96 seconds.

“It feels good to break the meet record. I did not look at the record before. I was surprised when I saw the 50 meters breast time because I thought I went a little faster than that,” Wells said.

The WaveRunners’ Ellie Gibson dropped Johnson’s 13-14 boys 400m meet record that was set last year. Gibson powered his way to a time of 4:17.68 to beat Johnson’s previous record time of 4:22.19.

In the 8-and-under girls 50m free, Mako’s Isabella Munroe’s time of 34.06 seconds in the heats was enough to break the meet record. The previous record was held by Passion Daniel – a time of 34.24 seconds.

“It was a very exciting meet and I liked it a lot. I feel very happy and I am thankful for those teammates who encouraged me,” Munroe said.

Records were also set in the relay portion of the meet. It was a strong relay race by the WaveRunners 9-10 boys team in the 200m free relay as they went on to set a national age group record. The team of Harold Simmons, Sean Norville-Smith, Blake Comarcho and Nitayo Knowles clocked 2:08.40.

The Barracuda’s 11-12 girls 200m free relay team powered their way to a new meet record of 1:59.01. Trinity Pratt, Madyson Julien, Christin-Alyssa Clarke and Saleste Gibson were the team members.

The WaveRunners also swam a new 13-14 mixed 200m medley meet record with a time of 2:23.94. The team consisted of Mia Patton, Tristen Hepburn, Zoe Williamson and Ellie Gibson.

Mako won the meet for a fourth consecutive time. They scored 2,011 points while the WaveRunners scored 1,643 points to finish second. The Barracudas placed third with 1,568 points

https://thenassauguardian.com/records-fall-at-swimming-nationals-2/

 Home|Sports|Avengers, Wildcats win flag football titlesSports

Women’s title is third straight for the Wildcats; Avengers finally prevail

Simba FrenchSend an emailJuly 13, 2022 208 4 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

After waiting for two years, the Bahamas Flag Football League (BFFL) returned to action and was able to complete a full season. Two champions were crowned with the Caro Contractors/TTF Outlet Avengers winning the men’s division and the Paradise Games Wildcats claiming the title in the women’s division.

Playing at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium on Independence Day, the Avengers found the right formula after going to six finals in eight years and coming up short. Their defense showed up and they took down the EDLC Lions 20-3.

Head Coach for the Avengers Robin Shepherd said that this is redemption.

“We have been fighting for this for a long time and it is sweet. After all these years, we finally got one. It is a great team and a great day. We had a game plan coming in and we executed that game plan. The team played tough,” Shepherd said.

For the Wildcats, it was an emotional victory as they dedicated the win to their former leader Philip Rahming who died last year. They shut out the Ground Up Construction Pink Panthers 16-0 in a defensive game, winning their third straight title.

Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Devaughn Edgecombe said he was happy with how the ladies played.

“We came into the season with a dedication. The pandemic derailed our three-peat and, unfortunately, we lost our leader Rahming during the pandemic. We came in and told everyone to lock up and load. It was a lot of pressure to dedicate the season to someone like that. I am glad that the team was able to rally and win,” Edgecombe said.

The Avengers came into the game as the underdogs as the Lions were the pennant winners. It did not stop the Avengers from coming out and putting points on the scoreboard first. It was a pass from their quarterback and the game’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Andy Bodie that got them started. Bodie threw a pass to wide receiver Shannon Balfour for a touchdown and the extra point was good. The Avengers went up 7-0.

https://thenassauguardian.com/avengers-wildcats-win-flag-football-titles/

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The ceremony at Government House.

As of Monday, April 8, 2019

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Godfrey Burnside

Burket Dorsett

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Two Bahamian softball icons were added to the list of World Baseball Softball Confederation – Softball Hall of Fame inductees and were also among a group of 21 inducted into the local Bahamas Softball Federation Hall of Fame.

#Burket Dorsett (administrator) and Godfrey Burnside (coach) headlined the list of honourees inducted at an official ceremony on Friday, April 5, at Government House.

#The pair were elected along with 12 others from around the world at the 2017 edition of the WBSC Congress, hosted last October in Botswana, Africa.

#Their selection brings the total number of Bahamian inductees in the organisation to 18.

#Tommy Velazquez, WBSC Softball Division Chairman, congratulated the honouress and Bahamian softball for the achievement.

#“I’m extremely delighted to join softball in The Bahamas on this historic day. Two of the most decorated personalities are joining the most important group in softball history: the Hall of Fame. Congratulations to them and the entire softball Bahamas community,” he said.

#Dorsett has been an administrator for over three decades and currently serves as president of the English Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation. His list of accolades includes president of the Bahamas Government Departmental Softball Association, New Providence Softball Association, and the Bahamas Softball Federation.

#Burnside, the immediate past president of the New Providence Softball Association, has served as an BSF executive and is a long time manager/coach of various men’s national softball teams at several levels

#He was a member of the coaching staff of The Bahamas’ historic appearance at the 1981 World Games when the women finished with a bronze medal.

#As of the most recent elections, there are now 226 members in the World Softball Hall of Fame, representing 35 countries. The Softball Hall of Fame was established in 1981 and inducts new members every two years.

#In 1987, Leon Knowles was the first Bahamian elected to the Hall of Fame. He was followed by Churchill Knowles Tener in 1991, Neko Grant in 1997 and Arthur Thompson in 2001. The Bahamas saw multiple inductees for the first time in 2003 with Douggy Smith, Sidney Fernander and Greg Christie. Candice GeGregory Culmer, Richard Johnson, Austin Knowles and Godfrey Pinder were elected in 2007 followed by Naomi Ellis in 2009. Ali Culmer and Linda Ford were elected in 2011 followed by Rommel Knowles and Oria Wood-Knowles in 2013.

#Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland the WBSC is the world governing body for baseball and softball. WBSC has 208 National Federation and Associate Members in 135 countries and territories across Asia, Africa, Americas, Europe and Oceania, which represent a united baseball/softball sports movement that encompasses over 65 million athletes and attracts approximately 150 million fans to stadiums worldwide annually.

#Dorsett and Burnside also joined the 2018 Class of the local Bahamas Softball Federation.

#They were joined by inductees all throughout the Bahamas including Licina Ingraham (Abaco), Percival Thomas Albury (Abaco), Billy Evans (Andros), Nicole Evans-Holder (Andros), Sherry Beney (Eleuthera), Edmond Bethel (Eleuthera), Donald DeGrerory (Grand Bahama), Elizabeth Johnson (Grand Bahama), Bernie McPhee-Major (New Providence), Charles Moss (New Providence), Dorothy Marshall (New Providence), Stephen Beneby (New Providence), Anthony Pearce (BSF), Brazilla Kelly (BSF), Dereck Christie (BSF), Daphne McKinney (BSF), Senator Jennifer Isaac-Dotson (BSF) and Telford Roberts (BSF).

#Romell Knowles is the current President of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, Past President of the BSF and also an ISF Hall of Famer

#“The privilege of bearing witness to more Bahamians joining the halls of the Bahamas Softball Federation/World Baseball Softball Confederation is yet another victorious milestone for the Bahamas Softball Federation. Without prejudice, no other sport in our Commonwealth can boast of such an accomplishment,” he said,

#“Further, I count it all joy to witness more distinguished softball personalities being inducted into the BSF’s halls. Yours is a very personal one for me as it was under my administration, we dare to dream of recognising with distinction those within the community of softball for their sacrifices and dedication in the promotion and development of our beloved sport softball.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2019/apr/08/bahamas-softball-legends-join-global-hall-fame/

 Home|Sports|‘Speedy’ Stevie Gardiner pulls out of the world championships Sports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailJuly 12, 2022 285 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas’ team at the World Athletics (WA) Outdoor Championships received a major blow with an announcement from World and Olympic Champion Steven Gardiner on Independence Day holiday.

Gardiner pulled out of the 10-day world championships, that is set to get underway at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, USA, this Friday, citing a UTE tendon inflammation. He said on Instagram: “… instead of putting on my spikes, I have been advised to put on a walking boot due to a UTE tendon inflammation. Unfortunately, there will be no Eugene ‘22 for me! Devastated by the news, but I am thankful for all the blessings in my career so far. I am also thankful for my team around me for all the love and support during this process. I’ll now move ahead to obtain the necessary treatment so that I can be 100 percent. To the people of The Bahamas, my sponsors, and my fans around the world, I’m sorry I won’t be able to compete. I wish my rivals good health and the very best. Thanks for all the support.”

Gardiner, 26, was one of the favorites for the gold medal in the men’s 400 meters (m), going into the meet as one of just seven men in the field to ever run under 44 seconds – the others being world record holder Wayde Van Niekerk of South Africa (43.03), Isaac Makwala of Botswana (43.72), Americans Michael Norman (43.45), Champion Allison (43.70), and Randolph Ross (43.85) and former World and Olympic Champion Kirani James of Grenada (43.74). Gardiner has a lifetime best of 43.48 seconds which he ran to win the world title at the Khalifa International Stadium, in Doha, Qatar, in 2019. That’s also the fastest time in the world in six years. He is the sixth-fastest man in history, and the second-fastest non-American behind Van Niekerk.

As for this year, Norman is the world leader at 43.56 seconds, done at the USA Track and Field (USATF) Outdoor Championships in June. Gardiner has a season’s best time of 44.21 seconds, done at the Meeting de Paris Diamond League Meet in Paris, France, in June.

Strong gold medal hopes for the country now rests on the shoulder of 

Shaunae Miller-Uibo, the only other Olympic Champion on the 17-member squad which begins competition this Friday morning with Donald Thomas in the qualifying rounds of the men’s high jump and the heats of the mixed 4x400m relay. LaQuan Nairn will compete in the qualifying rounds of the men’s long jump in the afternoon session on Friday, Samson Colebrooke and Terrence Jones will run in the men’s 100m heats and the mixed 4x400m relay final will close out day one of competition.

Other members of the team are Anthonique Strachan (women’s 100/200m), TyNia Gaither (women’s 100/200m), Devynne Charlton (women’s 100m hurdles), Ken Mullings (men’s decathlon), and Megan Moss, Doneisha Anderson, Javonya Valcourt, Jenae Ambrose, Alonzo Russell, Bradley Dormeus and Wanya McCoy who have been added for relay purposes.

The absence of Gardiner is a huge loss, undoubtedly hurting the country’s medal chances. The Bahamas has won at least one medal at every world athletics championships since 2013, and has won 25 medals in the history of the championships – eight gold, nine silver and eight bronze.

As for Gardiner, he is the only Bahamian man to ever run under 44 seconds in the men’s 400m in athletics, the reigning World and Olympic Champion, and the owner of the top 13 times in Bahamian track and field history in the one-lap event.

Gardiner will now likely bring his season to an end. He was unbeaten this year and hasn’t lost a men’s 400m race outdoors, that he has finished, in five years – a string of 23 consecutive races dating back to the 2017 World Championships when he won the silver medal behind Van Niekerk.

It remains to be seen how The Bahamas will perform without Gardiner.

https://thenassauguardian.com/speedy-stevie-gardiner-pulls-out-of-the-world-championships/

 Home|Sports|Mako Aquatics wins fourth straight national titleSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailJuly 12, 2022 237 4 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas Aquatics Federation’s 50th National Swimming Championships came to a close on Sunday, and at the end of the meet, Mako Aquatics Club swimmers and coaches made a celebratory splash in the pool, winning their fourth straight title.

The Betty Kelly-Kenning National Swim Complex was at full capacity as parents and supporters cheered on their respective teams. Fans were allowed at the nationals for the first time since 2019.

Mako came into the final session with a 293-point cushion over the second-placed YMCA WaveRunners. At the end of the session, that lead went up to 368 points. At the end of the four-day meet, Mako scored 2,011 points while the WaveRunners finished with 1,643 points. The Barracuda Swim Club was third with 1,568 points and Alpha Aquatics was fourth with 849 points.

Mako Aquatics Head Coach Travano McPhee lost his voice during the meet, but managed to say that it was great for them to get a fourth straight win.

“It feels a lot better than the other three,” McPhee said. “For some reason, we feel a lot more accomplished on this win. The swimmers really stepped up. Coming off of COVID last year, we did not know how the kids would perform and how the meet would run but the federation did an excellent job in organizing the nationals. Coming off from CARIFTA in April, these swimmers were able to defend their championship to get a fourth straight title which is not easy.”

McPhee said he was very happy with the way the swimmers performed over the four days of competition.

“It’s a four-day meet so you are looking at some of the swimmers swimming 14 or 15 races in those days. They stepped up and tried to perform personal bests in those races. Isabella Munroe dominated, Lamar Taylor broke some records, Elle Theberge, Tia-Isabella Adderley, Lenin Hamilton and I can go on and on, but the bottom line is that our swimmers performed well,” McPhee said.

The meet was held in honor of John Bradley Sr. who was an athlete, and an executive, who passed away last year August. McPhee said the win is dedicated to Bradley who he has been around for many years.

“We at Mako dedicated the victory to Bradley. He will be greatly missed by all in the swimming community, not only here in The Bahamas but the world,” McPhee said.

McPhee thanked the other coaches of his club – Duane Davis, Amanda McPhee, Sarah Knowles and Stella McPhee. He also went on to thank the parents, massage therapists at Major Changes, Evolve Functional Fitness, Oaktree Medical and the other sponsors who stayed with them.

The former national team swimmer said that his team will come stronger in 2023 as they look to win a fifth straight title.

Alpha’s Mark-Anthony Thompson came away with 47 points to win the 18-and-over men high point award. His older brother Luke-Kennedy Thompson was tied for second with Mako’s Lamar Taylor as they both scored 43 points.

In the 18-and-over women, Mako’s Anya MacPhail scored 56 points to win that division. Her teammate Kaliyah Albury was second with 50 points. Finishing third was the WaveRunners’ Katelyn Cabral with 49 points.

Marvin Johnson from the WaveRunners had a strong meet and was able to score 59 points to win the 15-17 boys high-point award. The Black Marlins’ Jake Thompson edged out Mako’s Erald Thompson for second place with 51 points. Erald Thompson scored 50 points.

It was a close race for the high-point winner in the 15-17 girls division between the Barracuda’s Rhanishka Gibss and Mako’s Keianna Moss. In the end, it was Gibbs who scored 57 points to hold off Moss who scored 56 points. Gibbs’ teammate Kyana Higgs was third with 50 points.

The WaveRunners’ Ellie Gibson won the high-point award with 56 points in the 13-14 boys age category. The Black Marlins’ Caden Wells went on to secure second place with 53 points. For third, there was a tie between the WaveRunners’ Tristen Hepburn and Alpha’s Donald Saunders who both accumulated 52 points.

The 13-14 girls age category was very competitive. In the end, it was the WaveRunners’ Zoe Williamson who won with 57 points. Her teammate Mia Patton was a close second with 56 points. Mako’s Elle Theberge was third with 55 points.

The Blue Waves Swim Club’s Dijon Simmons won the 11-12 boys age category with 59 points. Mako’s Lenin Hamilton was second with 56 points while the Barracuda’s David Singh scored 54 points to finish third.

The WaveRunners’ Lelah Lewis held off the Barracuda’s duo of Saleste Gibson and Trinity Pratt to win the 11-12 girls age division. Lewis finished with 61 points. Gibson and Pratt scored 55 and 51 points respectively.

Christon Joseph was dominant for the Blue Waves as he powered his way to accumulate 63 points to win the 9-10 boys age division. His closest competitor was the WaveRunners’ Nitayo Knowles who finished with 49 points. The WaveRunners’ Harold Simmons swam away with third place after finishing with 46 points.

In the 9-10 girls category, Alissa Ferguson had a strong meet for the Barracuda team. She won that division with 62 points. The WaveRunners’ Skyler Smith was second with 52 points. The Mantas Swim and Water Polo Club’s Tiah Seymour rounded out the top three positions with 47 points.

The Mantas’ Asher Bastian scored 52 points to win the 8-and-under boys division. Alpha’s Fraser Menzies scored 40 points and held on to finish second. Freeport Aquatic Club’s Jeremiah Newry had 39 points for third.

Mako’s Isabella Munroe finished with 63 points to cart off the 8-and-under girls division high-point award. The Blue Waves’ duo of Rinia Johnson and Cailyn Dean were second and third respectively. Johnson scored 41 points and Dean finished with 35 points.

The nationals marked the end of the local swim meets this season. Bahamian swimmers will now be swimming in international meets to close out the season.

https://thenassauguardian.com/mako-aquatics-wins-fourth-straight-national-title/

Steven Gardiner

As of Tuesday, July 12, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Just days before the start of the World Athletics’ 2022 World Championships, Bahamian quarter-miler Steven Gardiner has announced that he won’t be able to defend his 400 metre title in Eugene, Oregon.

#On his Instagram page yesterday, ‘Speedy Stevie’ Gardiner posted that a UTE tendon inflammation to his right foot will prevent him from representing the Bahamas at the championships, scheduled for July 15-24.

#“Unfortunately, there will be no Eugene ‘22 for me,” he wrote. “Devastated by the news, but I’m thankful to all the blessings in my career so far. “I am also thankful to my team around me for all the love and support during the process.”

#The 26-year-old native of Abaco, whose last race was at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Track and Field Championships in June at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, said he will now focus on getting the necessary treatment so that he can be 100 percent.

#“To the people of the Bahamas, my sponsors and my fans around the world, I’m sorry I won’t be able to compete,” Gardiner continued on social media.

#“I wish my rivals good health and the very best. Thanks for the support.”

#Claude Bryan, his manager at On Track Management, confirmed Gardiner’s absence from the team, revealing that Gardiner has been having ongoing issues and it flared up at the trials. Bryan noted that Gardiner subsequently got treatment for it, however, what he is experiencing now is beyond his pain threshold.

#“It is accurate that Stevie will miss the Eugene World Championships. I notified the BAAA President and Stevie would have notified the Eugene team,” Bryan said.

#“He was at the hospital in Oregon and ordered to be booted due to inflammation of the right Achilles. He wanted to still give it a go, however, the pain and inconvenience got the better of him.”

#Bryan said Gardiner will be heading overseas immediately for treatment.

#“We cannot say as of today, anything about his recovery, that is for medical to determine upon direct consultation with and inspection of Stevie,” Bryan said.

#“The decision to not compete was a tough one for Stevie, however, before he is an athlete, he is a human being, his health is the priority.”

#Gardiner, in running 45.32 seconds to take the tape at the nationals over Grand Bahamian Alonzo Russell, second in 46, was expected to be a part of a 16-member team that is scheduled to leave today for the championships.

#Efforts to contact BAAA president Drumeco Archer and team head coach Rupert Gardiner were unsuccessful.

#In addition to running the 400m in Eugene, Gardiner was also expected to be a key factor for the Bahamas mixed relay team with Alonzo Russell, Bradley Doreus, Wayna McCoy, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Anthonique Strachan, Megan Moss, Doneisha Anderson, Javonya Valcourt and Janae Ambrose in the pool.

#Gardiner was also named by the Bahamas Olympic Committee to a 28-member team, including 11 track and field athletes, for the Commonwealth Games, scheduled for Birmingham, England, July 29 to August 7.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/12/gardiner-out-world-champs-injury/?news