Home|Sports|The Bahamas advances to the CAC Games in water poloSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailJuly 27, 2022 243 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Building on tremendous success in water polo at the regional level in the past six years, including a triple gold haul at CARIFTA in 2016, Team Bahamas has qualified for the 2023 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in San Salvador, El Salvador.

The Bahamas accomplished the feat with an 8-6 win over Guatemala at the Central American and Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation (CCCAN) Championships at the Barbados National Aquatics Centre in Wildey, Barbados, on Monday. The team played in the 5th-6th placement game on Tuesday, but the result of that game was unavailable up to press time.

Regardless of the result, the win over Guatemala assured The Bahamas of a spot in next year’s CAC Games.

In its first game of the CCCAN Championships, The Bahamas got drubbed, 27-2, by Puerto Rico, but bounced back to take down Guatemala.

The Bahamas Aquatics Federation is extending congratulations to the team which is continuing to make progress for The Bahama in the sport of water polo.

Despite its regional success, The Bahamas has never played at the CAC Games level in water polo. It’s a major step in the right direction for the sport in the country, as from the CAC Games, the team will have a direct opportunity to qualify for the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, and the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.

The 2023 CAC Games is set for June 23 to July 8, 2023, in San Salvador, El Salvador, while the 2023 Pan Ams will be held from October 20 to November 5, 2023, in Santiago.

In addition to CARIFTA and the CCCAN Championships, The Bahamas has also competed in water polo at the UANA (Swimming Union of the Americas) Junior Pan American Championships.

https://thenassauguardian.com/the-bahamas-advances-to-the-cac-games-in-water-polo/

 Home|Sports|Bodybuilding and fitness team on the bubbleSports

Federation has insufficient funds to send squad to CAC Championships

Sheldon LongleySend an emailJuly 27, 2022 156 4 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

It seems like the more things change in this country, the more they remain the same.

Once again, a substantial totally qualified national team is on the verge of being left at home as a result of insufficient funds for travel for regional competition.

After a very successful novice and national championships, the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (BBFF) ratified a 16-member team to compete in the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness’ (IFBB) 49th Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships, set to take place this weekend at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Center in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Raymond Tucker and Leonardo Dean were set to travel as the coaches of the team, and making the trip as judges were set to be Charles Sealy and Robert Harris. BBFF President Joel Stubbs was set to travel as a federation executive and sit in regional meetings as a representative of The Bahamas.

However, with the limited funds that were offered to the team, Stubbs said there is no way to get the entire contingent to Barbados. He said if needed, he would forfeit his trip to ensure that all of the athletes travel and The Bahamas is well represented.

“We got some news as it relates to funding, but the news is not favorable, and for the team to travel, we came to an understanding that it cannot work. What is said that we would receive is certainly not enough to carry Team Bahamas and I am not in a position to just carry two or three athletes to the championships. All of the athletes who were chosen are deserving of an opportunity to go out there and represent The Bahamas. If officials need to be taken from the team, I would stay to allow the team to travel, but we have to send all of the athletes who would have been chosen,” said Stubbs.

The federation president said he is not too optimistic given the lateness of the hour. Registration and weigh-in of the athletes is set for Thursday and the pre-judging process will get underway on Friday. The official opening of the event and most of the finals are set for Saturday. Given all of the requirements, inclusive of COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions, Stubbs said that the feasibility of the team traveling appears grim at the moment.

“At this moment, there is no response, so we are just in the waiting stage that something would be done quickly. We are at the 11th hour and tomorrow (today) is the 12th hour. Decisions will have to be made tomorrow (today),” he said. “If seats are still available for air travel, we would have an opportunity to purchase tickets if financial assistance is given. If it’s not given, then it’s a loss for us. It’s a pressing time for the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation and all we could do now is sit and wait. Hopefully, we are blessed with favor and are able to travel and take this dynamic team off to the CACs.”

Named to the team on the men’s side are Gemo Smith (Men’s Muscular Physique), Giovanne Farrington (Men’s Bodybuilding – Middleweight), Orick Nesbitt (Men’s Bodybuilding – Super Heavyweight), Terrion Kemp (Men’s Physique – Junior), Justin Lightbourne (Men’s Physique – Class A), Anthon Moxey (Men’s Physique – Class C), Wedlear Eugene (Men’s Physique – Class D), Judah Forbes (Men’s Physique – Class E) and Kaif Young and Davin Johnson (Men’s Physique – Class F).

On the women’s side, there are Fania Joseph (Women’s Bikini – Class B), Kastachia Stuart (Women’s Bikini – Class G), Britnae Davis (Women’s Bikini – Class H), Cara Saunders and Altonmique Curtis (Women’s Wellness) and Dorcas Cox (Women’s Figure/Body Fitness).

Guardian Sports reached out to Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg for a response to the dilemma faced by the national team, but he said that he was unable to comment at the moment as he was in a meeting in London, England, ahead of the 22nd Commonwealth Games.

Former CAC team member for The Bahamas and one of the few bodybuilding and fitness athletes to ever represent The Bahamas as far as the world championships, Paul ‘Mighty Mouse’ Wilson, said lack of funding for national team travel for the sport is an ongoing problem that started a long time ago.

“It’s unfortunate. I’ve had a lot of experience when it comes to last-minute funding or no funding at all for national team members. My view is that it is so unfair for anyone to work hard all year to make a national team to represent their country on an international stage and then be told that they cannot go anywhere because of a lack of funding,” said Wilson. “From my understanding, every sporting federation in the country has its own bank account where money is disbursed and national teams are subsidized by the government of The Bahamas. I’ve been in that situation a few times, where I made it as high as the world championships, and as an athlete, it’s not a good feeling. Money is spent on supplements, diet and training by athletes and that money would have gone to naught. I know how these athletes feel 110 percent – how can the government find money for one sport and not for the next? It seems like all the money goes in a certain area, but here you have a national team ready to travel and represent the country, and they can’t get the necessary funding. To me, that is completely wrong.”

BBFF President Stubbs said it is still his hope that the team is able to travel but it doesn’t look too promising at this time.

“We’re waiting and hoping and praying without ceasing that the opportunity is given,” said Stubbs. “We’re now looking for the government to step up and allow the athletes of The Bahamas to have this opportunity to represent the country and represent the country well.”

The CACs is an outlet for bodybuilding and fitness athletes to obtain their pro cards. Pro cards will be up for grabs in all of the categories that will be contested. Host nation Barbados, Jamaica, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic are just some of the nations that will field athletes this weekend.

Last year, the federation was able to field eight athletes to make the trip to Sal Salvador, El Salvador, for the CACs. Although it was a small team, they produced eight medals that included two gold, three silver and three bronze.

https://thenassauguardian.com/bodybuilding-and-fitness-team-on-the-bubble/

As of Tuesday, July 26, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Bahamas Water Polo achieved another milestone and earned a berth to one of the most advanced levels of play in the region.

#They defeated Guatemala 8-6 yesterday as play continued in the open men’s category of the Central American and Caribbean (CCCAN) Water Polo Championships, being hosted in Wildey, Barbados.

#The win placed Team Bahamas in the 5th-6th reclassification game for the tournament.

#However, irrespective of the final result, the team has qualified for the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games to be held in El Salvador.

#This marks a first for Bahamian water polo following years of success at the junior level through CARIFTA, CCAN and Junior Pan Ams. The Bahamas opened the CCAN competition earlier this week with a 27-2 loss to Puerto Rico in their opening match in Barbados.

#The 24th Central American and Caribbean Games are scheduled to take place in 2023. They were planned to take place in Panama City, Panama, until the government announced on July 24, 2020 that it had decided to withdraw as the hosts as a result of the COVID- 19 pandemic in Panama.

#In May, 2021, San Salvador, El Salvador was chosen to replace Panama City as host. The event will feature a total of 37 disciplines.

#The last time Bahamas Water Polo competed in El Salvador, they delivered a silver medal finish at the 2018 CCCAN tournament and qualified for the UANA PanAm Championships. This is the fourth time Bahamas Water Polo has participated at the CCCAN level following the 2016, 2018 and 2019 editions.

#The tournament is expected to host 50 matches over the eight days from July 19-26. The event will feature 20 women’s and 30 men’s games. In preparation for CCCAN, the team travelled to St Louis, Missouri to participate in a training camp with Club SLAP.

#They also participated in the Wally Lundt Senior Open where they finished with a 4-1 record.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/26/bahamas-water-polo-team-qualifies-cac-games/?news

As of Tuesday, July 26, 2022

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LASHANN Higgs will remain in Spain this upcoming season but will sign with Hozono Global Jairis for the 2022-2023 campaign of the country’s second division of women’s basketball.

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#LASHANN Higgs will remain in Spain this upcoming season but will sign with a new club in the LF Challenge league.

#Higgs signed with Hozono Global Jairis for the 2022-2023 campaign of the country’s second division of women’s basketball.

#Jairis head coach Lucas Fernández said he has lofty expectations for the impact Higgs will have on the basketball club.

#“Lashann Higgs is a player who, within her humility and effort, has a great capacity to generate advantages from her one on one skills, with the ability to finish, to assist, and with great physical abilities in defence,” he said.

#“She is a player who from the beginning has shown us great enthusiasm for joining our team and who I am sure will work hard to offer us her best version.”

#Jairis finished last season 24-6, second in the standings.

#“From the club, we welcome Lashann to Alcantarilla and we hope that her adaptation will be the best possible,” Fernández said. “We have no doubt that she will bring all of her quality, effectiveness, and experience to this exciting season ahead.”

#A release from the club describes the 26-year-old guard as: “A very physical and explosive player, extraordinary in the open court and on the run and with a good shot from the perimeter. She is also very versatile and, being able to occupy the positions of both guard positions.”

#Higgs spent her rookie season of pro basketball with Bembibre PDM in the Liga Femenina Endesa – the top division.

#Higgs, the team’s most valuable player, earned several Player of the Week honours and finished as the third leading scorer in the league at 15.8 points per game on 54 percent shooting from the field. She also shot 33 percent from three-point range, 76 percent from the free throw line and was third on the team at 4.2 rebounds per game.

#The Harbour Island native made the move to Germany the following season. She played just two games with Rutronik Stars Keltern Damen-Basketball-Bundesliga (DBBL), the premier women’s basketball league in Germany.

#Higgs averaged just 10.5 minutes per game in the two contests and scored 3.5 points per game for a Rutronik team that claimed the 2020-21 title with a 21-3 regular season record and an undefeated 7-0 run in the playoffs.

#She spent last season with Lointek Gernika Bizkaia of Liga Femenina Endesa. In 25 games she averaged 9.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

#Higgs, the former Texas Longhorn, signed with Sports International Group (SiG) following an accolade-filled collegiate career.

#She played in 137 games as a Texas Longhorn with 52 as a starter. She ranked as the seventh all-time in the Longhorns’ history for games played and 28th in career points scored with a total of 1,288.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/26/lashann-higgs-signs-basketball-club-spain/?news

Player captain Simone Pratt, Sydney Clarke, Sierra Rodgers and Elana Mackey pose from left to right.

As of Tuesday, July 26, 2022

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Sydney Clarke shows her victory display.

Elana Mackey after her opening victory.

Doubles winners Simone Pratt and Sydney Clarke.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association ladies team made a spectacular showing on day one of the prestigious Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup Americas Group II in the Dominican Republic.

#The Bahamas, sponsored by Fidelity Bank and Trust Bahamas Limited, took advantage of their top seed ranking in their impressive 3-0 win over El Salvador yesterday at the Centro Nacional de Tenis Parque del Este.

#Playing in her first singles match as the team’s No.2 seed, Elana Mackey made it look so easy, disposing of Daniela Aguilar of El Salvador in straight sets 6-2, 6-0 in a match that lasted just one hour and eight minutes.

#National champion Sydney Clarke, playing as the team’s top-seeded player, needed one minute more than Mackey in following with her 6-3, 6-1 decision over Michelle Irigoyen in one hour and nine minutes.

#And with the tie secured, Clarke teamed up with player/captain Simone Pratt of Grand Bahama and used one hour and five minutes to put the icing on the cake with their 6-0, 6-3 win over Irigoyen and Santos Marmol in the doubles match for a clean sweep.

#When contacted in the Dominican Republic, the team noted that they were extremely pleased with the way they played on day one. “In the beginning of the match, I had a slow start and me and my opponent were alternating games until the score was 3-2,” Mackey said. “Then after that, I was warmed up and I started to play looser.”

#After a rain delay, Clarke said she was able to get the job done. “I think that helped me because I was able to clear my mind,” Pratt said.

#“The first three games was pretty rough for me. I really had to relax, calm down and find myself. When I did, my performance got better as the match went on.

#“Overall, it was what I expected. I just got off to a slow start. Once I got into it, things were looking up.

#“In doubles, we met the expectations. We played pretty well. The chemistry was great and I’m just looking forward to what is in store for us going forward.”

#Mackey, a tennis player and cross country runner at Mars Hill University, said she expected the team to pull off the win and she was just elated that she was able to contribute to the teams’ success.

#“I’m hoping that we are able to beat the rest of the teams in our pool,” Mackey said.

#“I’m looking to build on my performance and playing better each match.”

#Clarke, one of the top players at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said after getting off to such a good start, she expects them to get better. “I just hope that we all push ourselves and just get through those tough moments, whether mentally or physically and just be able to defy the obstacles and challenges and don’t give up on things when they are not going our way.”

#The 20-year-old Clarke said their performances yesterday was a clear indication of how they can overcome any obstacle and that is what they need to be successful for the rest of the tournament.

#Also on the team is rookie Sierra Rodgers who, at age 16, is the youngest player to play for the Bahamas.

#Hopefully before they are done, Rodgers will get a chance to get on the court.

#The Bahamas is expected to play against Bermuda today. They will wrap up on round robin play against the Dominican Republic on Wednesday.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/26/bahamas-wins-billie-jean-king-cup-opener/?news

Gold medalist Shaunae Miller-Uibo during the medal ceremony. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

As of Monday, July 25, 2022

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Shaunae Miller-Uibo wins gold

Scenes from Shaunae Miller-Uibo’s gold medal-winning race in the women’s 400m at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. (AP photos)

Shaunae Miller-Uibo wins the final of the women’s 400 metres at the World Athletics Championships on Friday, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Gold medalist Shaunae Miller-Uibo after her win in the final of the women’s 400 meters at the World Athletics Championships on Friday in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#As she tacked on the final piece missing from her glaring crown, Shaunae Miller-Uibo completed what she called her final global 400 metres by finally adding the World Championships title to her illustrious career that now has her pegged as one of the greatest ever.

#On Friday in Eugene, Oregon, the 28-year-old Miller-Uibo used her imposing 6-foot, one-inch frame to circle around the Hayward Field in a blaze of glory for the gold medal in a world-leading time of 49.11 seconds.

#She led a Caribbean sweep, with Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic taking the silver in 49.60 and Sada Williams of Barbados snatching the bronze with a national record of 49.75.

#“It has been a long time coming and the main thing for us this season was the world championships and a gold medal,” said Miller- Uibo, who began the trek this year by earning her first world indoor title in Belgrade, Serbia.

#“That’s one thing we were missing, so I ran a very tactical race. To go out with the gold, I am very proud.”

#The historic journey for Miller-Uibo began in 2010 when she crossed the finish line as the world under-18 champion, world under-20 champion, two-time world championship silver medallist and a fourth place as well as twice the Olympic champion.

#But in saving her best for the last as she powered from lane three to take control of the race on the back stretch, Miller-Uibo was all business as she came off the curve with a substantial lead that she maintained down the home stretch.

#It was poetry in motion and as the celebrations began, Miller-Uibo was greeted with a hug from her husband, Maicel Uibo of Estonia, who was competing in the decathlon and her mother, May Miller, who draped her with the Bahamian flag.

#Don’t expect to see any further attempt to go after another title at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, August 19-27 or the Olympics in 2024 in Paris, France, July 21 to August 11.

#Making it emphatically clear that she’s done with the one-lap race, Miller- Uibo said the focus will shift back to the 200m where she will attempt to put her stamp of approval on her quest to also establish herself as one of the greatest 200/400 champions on the planet. “That’s it for me running the 400m,” stressed Miller-Uibo, who got to avenge her only loss this season to Paulino and Jamaica’s Stephanie Ann McPherson on May 13 at the Ooredoo Doha Meeting.

#“The plans for me are the 200m, which has always been my first love, and get back into that.”

#It was the first medal for the Bahamas at this year’s championships – the island nation got to continue its streak of earning at least one in every championships since 2012.

#Miller-Uibo was also listed to run if the women’s 4 x 400 relay team had advanced out of the heats on Saturday.

#But according to assistant head coach Shaun Miller Jr, some members of the team got ill and while they wanted to gut it out, it was determined by the team doctor at the last minute that they were “too ill” to run, so the team was scratched. There was also unconfirmed reports that head coach Rupert Gardiner also took ill and had to be treated at a local hospital for an undisclosed condition.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/25/gold-shaunae/

Gold medallist Shaunae Miller-Uibo after winning the final of the women’s 400 metres at the World Athletics Championships on Friday in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

As of Saturday, July 23, 2022

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Shaunae Miller-Uibo wins gold

Scenes from Shaunae Miller-Uibo’s gold medal-winning race in the women’s 400m at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. (AP photos)

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Bahamian sensation Shaunae Miller-Uibo added the 2022 World Athletics Championships 400 metre title to her glittering collection of global medals on Friday night in Eugene, Oregon.

#Running out of lane three, 28-year-old Miller-Uibo ran the perfect race with a world leading time of 49.11 seconds.

#She surged ahead on the back stretch and was in control of the race coming through the first 200m as she made up the stagger on Dominican Republic’s 21-year-old Fiordaliza Cofil in lane four.

#Her only threat left was Dominican Republic’s world leader Marileidy Paulino in lane six, but by the time Miller-Uibo maneuvered off the final curve, she was in complete control, and she switched into another gear on the home stretch to separate herself from the rest of the field.

#Paulino, who handed Miller-Uibo her only defeat this season at the Ooredoo Doha Meeting on May 13, exerted some of the energy that had her listed as the world No 1 contender. She stormed back down the home stretch for second in 49.60, while Sada Williams of Barbados clocked a national record of 49.75 for the bronze.

#But the night belonged to Miller-Uibo, who was greeted by her husband Maicel Uibo of Estonia and her mother May Miller, who got to drape her with the Bahamian flag, as the nation continued its streak of winning at least one medal at every championship since 2012.

Shaunae Miller-Uibo wins the final of the women’s 400 metres at the World Athletics Championships on Friday, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

#Miller-Uibo, coming off her World Indoor title in Belgrade, Serbia on March 13, has now won every global medal in the 400m, adding to her back-to-back Olympic crowns in 2021 in Tokyo, Japan and 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the world junior championship title in Moncton, Canada on July 22, 2010 and the world youth championship title in 51.84 in Lille, France on July 8, 2011.

#Miller-Uibo has indicated that this was going to be her final 400m at a major international meet as she intends to try to achieve some more historic performances in the 200m.

#Paulino, 24, beat Miller-Uibo on May 13 when she won in 51.20, with Miller-Uibo in third place in 51.48 at the Ooredoo Doha Meeting. Stephanie Ann McPherson of Jamaica was second in 51.69.

#But at the delayed Olympics last year, Miller-Uibo won with 46.36 – Paulino once again playing second fiddle with the silver in 49.20.

Gold medalist Shaunae Miller-Uibo after her win in the final of the women’s 400 meters at the World Athletics Championships on Friday in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

#On Saturday, Devynne Charlton, coming off her first global medal with a silver at the World Indoors, qualified from the 100 metres hurdles heats.

#The Bahamian national record holder finished second in heat two to qualify for Sunday’s semifinal with a time of 0:12.69 – the seventh fastest in the heats.

#Also competing on Saturday is Ken Mullings as he makes history as the first Bahamian entered in the men’s multiple 10-event decathlon. The event will conclude on Sunday.

#The women’s 4 x 400m team was scheduled to run in the second of two heats on Saturday, but the team withdrew.

#In addition to Miller-Uibo getting on the podium for her medal presentation at the end of Friday night’s competition, World Athletics’ Council Member Mike Sands, the NACAC president, presented the medals after the men’s 400m to American gold medallist Michael Normal (44.29), Grenada’s silver medallist Kirani James (44.48) and Great Britain’s bronze medallist Michael Hudson-Smith (44.66).

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/23/gold-shaunae/?news

Scenes from Shaunae Miller-Uibo’s gold medal-winning race in the women’s 400m at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. (AP photos)

http://www.tribune242.com/photos/galleries/2022/jul/22/shaunae-miller-uibo-wins-gold/

As of Friday, July 22, 2022

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#TEAM Bahamas got off to a slow start at the Central American and Caribbean Championship (CCCAN) water polo competition.

#The team suffered a 27-2 loss to Puerto Rico in their opening match of the open men’s category yesterday in Wildey, Barbados.

#This is the third time Bahamas Water Polo has participated at the CCCAN level following the 2016 and 2019 editions.

#The event all serves as a qualifier for the Central American and Caribbean Games.

#The tournament is expected to host 50 matches over the eight days from July 19-26.

#The event will feature 20 women’s and 30 men’s games.

#In preparation for the CCCAN, the team travelled to St Louis, Missouri to participate in a training camp with Club SLAP.

#They also participated in the Wally Lundt Senior Open where they finished with a 4-1 record.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/22/water-polo-team-slow-start/?news

ANDREW MUNNINGS, left, and Cynthia Rahming.

As of Friday, July 22, 2022

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By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

While it has been a dream of his to represent the Bahamas at the international level, Andrew Munnings said he couldn’t ask for a better team-mate than two-time competitor Cynthia Rahming to travel with him to the Commonwealth Games.

The duo will be representing the Bahamas in the judo competition at the games, scheduled for July 27 to August 7 in Birmingham, England. They will be a part of a 27-member team from different sporting disciplines that will compete for the Bahamas.

Having qualified at the Pan American-Oceania Judo Championships held in April in Lima, Peru, Munnings said he’s not only grateful for the opportunity to compete, but he’s focused on making the Bahamian public very proud. “To qualify for these games many out of competition fights were fought behind the scenes and through the Lord’s strength and my persistence brought this opportunity,” he said.

“Since the Pan American Championships earlier this year my physicality and technicality has increased through many gym sessions, studying my competitors and working on my game strategy and accuracy.”

Although he’s qualified for the Commonwealth Games, Munnings said his ultimate goal is to get to the Olympic Games and this is just a step in that direction.

“The Olympic Games is a part of my vison in life and the Commonwealth Games is an introduction to this goal of mine, which many of these top competitors will be the same men I will have to fight if I qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024,” Munnings said. “Throughout my circuit, I have tested myself against them and I am excited to face them again in the CWG.”

Munnings, 24, said he and Rahming have been travelling together for years training and competing over the past decade, but this is going to be a special trip next week when they head to Birmingham with coach Willard McKenzie.

Rahming, 28, will be going to her second games after making her debut as the lone judoka in 2014 in Glasglow, Scotland.

“The calibre of competition over the last eight years has significantly strengthened as the Commonwealth countries have invested in their judo athletes particularly over the past Olympic cycle,” said Rahming, the daughter of Bahamas Judo Association president Darcy Rahming.

“I’m looking forward to seeing my friends from the judo Olympic cycle. I’ve decided to revert to a style I did when I first started judo, which I’m hoping will surprise my competitors and bring me the advantage.”

In preparation for the games, Rahming said she’s been “focusing on her gym work, stamina and relearning the basics.” She noted that she’s counting on her long journey in the sport to propel her to success at the games.

“The competition is a small portion of what the CWG is about,” she said. “It is exciting and inspiring to see world-class athletes go at it, but I am going to the games for a bigger picture, which I will divulge at a later time.”

As a competitor of the sport since the age of 13, Rahming said her aim is to get a medal to add to the bronze she won at the Olympic qualifier and hopefully improve on her world ranking she previously held within the top 100 in 2018 and seventh in the Pan American region.

Munnings, on the other hand, has been competing since he was a cadet. He said his immediate goal is to surpass his previous world ranking of 216.

“Challenges like competition and training camp expenses makes the journey a difficult one to compete at these A level competitions, but CWG is a competition that can propel me further in my career and can pull some needed endorsements,” he said.

“I’ve been preparing my social media accounts and content creating for this exact opportunity.”

The judokas will compete at the games along with competitors from the Bahamas in track and field, swimming, boxing, cycling, karate and the triathlon.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/22/judokas-primed-and-ready-commonwealth-games/?news