Home|Sports|Archer said he is shaken by Hart’s deathSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailSeptember 6, 2022 285 4 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

For Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) President Drumeco Archer, the death of standout Bahamian athlete Shavez ‘Sparky’ Hart, an Olympian and world championships medalist, really hit home. Not only was he a mentor to Hart as the head of the BAAA, but he said he spoke with him personally many times over the phone regarding athletics and other aspects of life.

Hart was gunned down early Saturday morning on his home island of Abaco. An altercation had developed in a parking lot of a business establishment situated in Mount Hope, North Abaco, and according to his father, Hart was acting as a peacemaker before being shot in the chest. He was later pronounced dead at the local clinic, succumbing to the gun shot wound just three days before his 30th birthday.

 Archer, who returned to the country after a weekend trip late Sunday night, said he was devastated by the news.

“He was a good boy, positive, responsible, determined and full of life – a life we hope that many young men would emulate one day as an athlete and as a virtuous Bahamian,” said Archer. “He was a bright man with so many brilliant ideas which extended beyond the bounds of sport. He was committed to his family and in the aftermath of the Hurricane Dorian, in order to be closer to his family, he decided to reconvene his training in Freeport instead of returning to training camp in Florida.”

Hart, who is from Treasure Cay, Abaco, attended Treasure Cay Primary and S.C. Bootle Secondary in Abaco before finishing his high school education at St. George’s High in Freeport, Grand Bahama. He went on to attend South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, breaking school records in athletics and receiving conference and national acclaim. Hart finished his collegiate career at the Texas A&M University, setting his mark as one of the more substantial and impactful runners in school history. To date, he is a part of the school’s record team in the men’s 4x100m relay.

Archer said he received a call around 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning informing him of Hart’s passing. He said the talented Bahamian speedster had walked away from the sport about a year and a half ago, but was still active, helping to train young athletes on Abaco.

“I come to you with a heavy heart and a volcano of emotions over the passing of Shavez,” said Archer. “When Shavez bade his goodbyes to the sport, I then realized that he had become a man who was beginning to write a new chapter in his life. It was a chapter filled with new adventure, new beginnings, new entrepreneurial aspirations and even new characters. After the scream of one single word ‘gone’, I realized that the life of a man with so much promise was taken away from us with one single bullet.

“On reflection, this is a testimony of why we as a track and field community work with thousands of athletes on a daily basis. As community developers, we as a track and field family create a safe space for people just like Shavez. It means that his life will not be in vain and we remain inspired to continue the work for children all across this country.”

Hart was a close and personal friend of Fred Kerley – the American who won the 100m world title in Eugene, Oregon in the United States this year, claiming the title of the world’s fastest man. Hart even trained with Kerley on a few occasions and was a huge reason why the American frequented The Bahamas for offseason training and conditioning and leisure time.

In coming home to train, Hart’s focus was to become a home-grown, world-class athlete, until deciding to call it quits a year and a half ago. He is survived by his mother Shammaine, father Sidney, 14-month old son Chase, three siblings and a host of other family members and friends.

“Maybe one day young Chase Hart will continue to live the legacy of his father,” said Archer. “Without the power of being able to make such predictions on one’s life, I take solace in knowing that we as a track and field community will continue to support and raise him as we have raised his father. On behalf of the executive board and the entire BAAA family, we extend our deepest, warmest and most solemn condolences to the family and friends of Shavez Hart. Hart’s heart will forever be in our hearts. May his heart and soul rest in peace.”

Hart ended his athletics career with personal best times of 10.10 seconds and 20.23 seconds in the 100 and 200m respectively, and was a formidable 400m runner as well, thereby setting his mark as one of the best 100-200-400 combo runners in Bahamian history. Indoors, he had personal best times of 6.60 seconds in the 60m and 20.57 seconds in the 200m.

He is a member of the South Plains College record team in the men’s 4x100m relay, a member of the Texas A&M University record team in the men’s 4x100m relay, a member of The Bahamas’ national record team in the men’s 4x100m relay, and a member of The Bahamas’ national record team in the men’s 4x400m relay indoors.

Internationally, he represented The Bahamas at the CARIFTA Games, the Pan American Junior Athletics Championships, the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Athletics Championships, the World Athletics Indoor Championships, the World Athletics Outdoor Championships and the Olympic Games just to name a few.

His most prestigious medal is a silver from the men’s 4x400m relay at the 2014 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Portland, Oregon, US.

https://thenassauguardian.com/archer-said-he-is-shaken-by-harts-death/

 Home|Sports|Charlton and Gaither to go after Diamond League titles on ThursdaySports

Just two Bahamians in DL final

Sheldon LongleySend an emailSeptember 6, 2022 308 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Culminating a fantastic season in athletics, a couple of Bahamians will get a shot to go after Diamond League (DL) titles this week in Zürich, Switzerland.

The two-day Wanda Diamond League Final, the Weltklasse Zürich, is set for Sechseläutenplatz on Wednesday September 7 and Letzigrund Stadium on Thursday September 8, in Zürich.

There were actually three who qualified, in four disciplines, but Shaunae Miller-Uibo has decided to shut down her season and not go after a fifth Diamond League title. She is the only Bahamian to qualify in two events this year – both the women’s 200 and 400 meters (m).

Qualifying fourth in the women’s 100m hurdles is Devynne Charlton, finishing with 19 points from the qualifying period. She had a second, a fourth, a fifth and a sixth in her Diamond League races in 2022. Charlton will go up against a tough field on Thursday as she will line up next to former world record holder Kendra Harrison of the United States, current world record holder Tobi Amusan of Nigeria, Olympic Champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico, former World Champion Nia Ali of the United States, world championships silver medalist and former World Youth Champion Britany Anderson of Jamaica and former World Junior Champion Tia Jones of the United States. Pia Skrzyszowska, of Poland, and Ditaji Kambundji, of Switzerland, will complete the field. All of the runners with the exception of wild card entry Kambundji have run under 12.55 seconds this year.

Charlton has had a sensational year, setting a new national record in the women’s 60m hurdles in the semifinals of that event at the World Athletics Indoor Championships at Štark Arena in Belgrade, Serbia, and then matching that time in the final for the silver medal; and also setting the national record twice in the women’s 100m hurdles, climaxed by her blazing 12.46 run at the World Athletics Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, United States (US).

In addition to her world indoors silver, she won a silver in the 100m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, and added a bronze in that event at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) Track and Field Championships in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Charlton has had the two best runs of her career in the 60m hurdles indoors this year and the three best runs of her career in the 100m hurdles outdoors. In relay action, she was a part of the women’s 4x100m relay team that won a silver medal for The Bahamas at the NACAC Track and Field Championships on home soil.

The other Bahamian who will go after a Diamond League title on Thursday will be TyNia Gaither in the women’s 200m.

Gaither qualified seventh in the women’s 200m, finishing with 10 points in the collection of Diamond League regular season meetings. She had two fourth place finishes. Miller-Uibo finished fourth in the standings with 12 points, but as mentioned, she decided to shut down her season after the NACAC Championships in Freeport.

Gaither will line up next to World Champion Shericka Jackson of Jamaica – the second-fastest woman ever over that distance, Americans Gabrielle Thomas, Jenna Prandini and Tamara Clark, hometown favorite Mujinga Kambundji, of Switzerland, Ida Karstoft, of Denmark, and Beth Dobbin, of Great Britain. Dina Asher-Smith, of Great Britain, has also pulled out. All of the athletes with the exception of Dobbin have run under 23 seconds this year.

Like Charlton, Gaither has also had a splendid season. She ran her three fastest times in the women’s 200m this year and came close to her personal best in the 100m.

Gaither ran a new personal best time in the 200m in the semifinals of that event at the Oregon World Championships, and then matched that personal best time of 22.41 seconds for the silver medal at the NACAC Track and Field Championships in her hometown of Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Earlier in the season, Gaither set her personal best time at 22.45 seconds at the Baylor Invitational at the Clyde Hart Track & Field Stadium in Waco, Texas, and then topped that time twice in the ensuing months. Be that as it may, she will certainly have her work cut out for her in Zürich. Five of the ladies in the race on Thursday have run faster than her this year.

Anthonique Strachan missed out of the Diamond League Final this year, finishing 29th in the standings for the 100m and 16th in the standings for the 200m, but she will be in action at the Hungarian Grand Prix Series Meet, a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze level event, at Sportcentrum in Pápa, Hungary, this week.

Just the top eight athletes in each of the 32 disciplines in athletics are assured of lanes on the track and positions in the field events.

After four months and 12 meetings, the Wanda Diamond League reaches its climax this Wednesday and Thursday as the world’s best athletes will battle for the prestigious Diamond trophies. Six finals will take place at a city event at Sechseläutenplatz on Wednesday and the remaining 26 event finals will take place at the Letzigrund Stadium on Thursday.

A number of present and former World and Olympic Champions, and medalists, will be in action over the two days of competition, looking to climax the season with fantastic performances.

https://thenassauguardian.com/charlton-and-gaither-to-go-after-diamond-league-titles-on-thursday/

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Bahamian athlete shot in parking lot at local night club

Sheldon LongleySend an emailSeptember 5, 2022 357 7 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The track and field community of The Bahamas was hit hard over the weekend as it lost one of its own to a senseless act on his home island of Abaco in The Bahamas.

According to a police report, Shavez ‘Sparky’ Hart, one of the best all-around sprinters in Bahamian history, was gunned down shortly after 2 a.m. on Saturday morning near a business establishment situated in Mount Hope, North Abaco.

Hart, just three days short of his 30th birthday, represented The Bahamas at all levels of track and field, reaching as high as the world championships and the Olympic Games. He had personal best times of 10.10 seconds and 20.23 seconds in the 100 and 200 meters (m) respectively, and was a formidable 400m runner as well, thereby setting his mark as one of the best 100-200-400 combo runners in Bahamian history. Indoors, he had personal best times of 6.60 seconds in the 60m and 20.57 seconds in the 200m.

Hart was more known for his accomplishments in the short sprints, but it’s actually in the 400m, as a part of a relay squad, in which he achieved his most prestigious medal. Stepping in with two of The Bahamas’ ‘Golden Knights’, Chris ‘The Fireman’ Brown and Michael Mathieu, Hart won a silver medal in the men’s 4x400m relay at the 16th International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Indoor Championships in March 2016 in Portland, Oregon, United States. Hart teamed up with Brown, Mathieu and Alonzo Russell, and they ran a national record time of 3:04.75 for the silver medal.

Hart never really reached his full potential on the senior side at global meets, but his times have him listed in the top five in Bahamian history in the short sprints. He is at number four in the 100m and tied for fifth with another of the ‘Golden Knights’, Demetrius Pinder, in the 200m.

According to the police report, a group of men were involved in a physical altercation in the parking lot of a local night club on North Abaco early Saturday morning. One of the men left, returned with a firearm and discharged the weapon, shooting Hart in the chest. EMS (Emergency Medical Services) attended to the victim and found no signs of life. He was later transported to the Marsh Harbour Clinic where he was seen and examined by a doctor and pronounced dead. The report continued, stating that the suspect in this matter was later arrested and taken into police custody, and that investigations are continuing.

Shavez’s mother said her son was trying to defuse an altercation between two men when he was caught in the middle and shot. It was reported that the subject attempted to shoot another man and ended up shooting Hart.

 “He was such a good son – very quiet and always helpful,” said his mother Shammaine Hart. “He did a lot of work in the community and was always trying to give back. I will certainly miss him.”

Hart was well-loved in local track and field circles.

Speaking from Europe where she is busy running on the circuit, Anthonique Strachan who represents the athletes locally, and who was just elected as a Member-at-Large for the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Athletes’ Commission, said she is devastated by the news.

“This is just too much. Shavez was the sweetest, most kind-hearted person you would ever meet. He was dedicated in everything he did and he was a guy who wore his heart on his sleeve even though he showed minimal emotions,” said Strachan. “I’m still very shocked. I wish the best for his son and his family and will continue to pray for them during this most difficult time. His son, who I believe hasn’t turned one yet, will never really get to experience his father – just knowing what is told to him. He will never get to see the great person that his dad was, and how driven and dedicated his father was in everything that he put his mind to – from school, to sports to becoming an entrepreneur.

“It’s very hard to grasp that something like this happened. Condolences to his mom, his dad, his son and his entire family. This is so heart-wrenching and so sickening. There are a lot of innocent people being killed and I hope the government does something to put a serious clamp on the gun violence that is happening in the country.”

Strachan said she last spoke to Hart via phone during the NACAC Championships in Freeport, Grand Bahama, in August, and he vowed to attend the event for the weekend but it never materialized. She said in speaking to the athletes, they have decided to make a donation to the family, setting up a GoFundMe account.

 NACAC President and former BAAA President Mike Sands said he was saddened by the news of Hart’s unfortunate and unexpected demise.

“He was a great athlete who competed with true grit and determination. It was always a pleasure being in his presence,” said Sands. “He was a very humble and a mannerly young man who always greeted you with a smile. My condolences goes out to his immediate family and the wider track and field family. Let fond memories of ‘Sparky’ comfort us all during this difficult period. I also take this opportunity to urge everyone and our young men, in particular, to seek conflict resolution rather than violence that all too often ends tragically.”

Hart was just three days short of his 30th birthday, set to run 30 on September 6. In athletics, he was a bronze medalist at the CARIFTA Games and the Pan American Junior Athletics Championships, a gold medalist in the men’s 4x100m relay at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Athletics Championships, and a silver medalist in the men’s 4x400m relay at the World Indoor Championships.

In college, he excelled nationally as a double sprint champion at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Championships in 2012, and a double medalist indoors and outdoors nationally in 2013 while at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. To this day, Hart is the school’s record holder in the men’s 100m and a member of the record-setting men’s 4x100m relay team – a record which stands to this day. Hart then went on to become a standout athlete at Texas A&M University, excelling indoors and outdoors. Hart is a part of the school’s record-setting team in the men’s 4x100m relay. The team of Prezel Hardy Jr., Hart, Michael Bryan and Trinidadian Deon Lendore, in that order, ran 38.30 seconds at the Texas Relays in Austin, Texas, in 2014, and eight years later, that school record still stands.

Hart is a former Southeastern Conference (SEC) Athlete of the Week and received numerous school and conference accolades while at Texas A&M.

It’s been a tough year for the Texas A&M Aggies as Lendore died after being involved in a car collision near Cameron, Texas, in January, 2022. Lendore was a close friend and former teammate of Hart.

As for Hart, he is also a member of men’s 4x100m relay team that holds The Bahamas’ national record in that event. The team of Adrian Griffith, Warren Fraser, Hart and Teray Smith, in that order, set the record of 38.52 seconds at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Just a month ago, Hart had started up track training in North Abaco, working with some young men in the area.

“I had a conversation with him and he was in the process of going around to get athletes to start the program,” said Rev. Anthony Williams, who was one of Hart’s mentors out of Moore’s Island in the Abacos. “With the Bahamas Games and the CARIFTA Games slated for The Bahamas in 2023, Shavez was working aggressively to find new talent. I am very saddened by this, especially how he lost his life – trying to stop a fight. I want to express my deepest condolences to his family and the people in Abaco and the wider track and field community. Moving forward, we have to do something to help these athletes when they finish school and come into the system. There needs to be more programs to deter men from a life of crime.”

Outside of athletics, Hart was a young entrepreneur. He was the former owner of Club Magenta in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis expressed condolences on Twitter.

“On behalf of my family and the people of The Bahamas, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of Shavez Hart. As a country, we’ve been blessed to have had an amazing athlete carry our flag worldwide. (My wife) Ann and I will keep the family of Shavez in our thoughts and prayers.”

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg also expressed condolences.

“It is with great sadness that I join in the sporting fraternity in expressing heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Shavez Hart, Olympian…. The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture also extends heartfelt condolences to the executive branch of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), all other members of the organization, and persons within the sporting community. As minister, I pray for healing and comfort for the family of the bereaved during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.”

Hart’s former coach at South Plains College Blaine Wiley expressed his sentiments on Twitter.

“(I’m) waking up to absolutely devastating news that one of my former athletes Shavez Hart was shot and killed last night in The Bahamas. I had the honor of coaching ‘Sparky’ at South Plains College where he remains the school record holder and won many NJCAA Championships. #RIP”

Hart’s former teammate at South Plains and Texas A&M, American Fred Kerley, the reigning World Champion in the men’s 100m, simply tweeted ‘My Brother’ with a photo of Hart on Twitter.

No doubt, Hart was one of the greatest Bahamian sprinters of all-time. He is survived by his mother, father, a 14-month old son, three siblings and a host of other family members and friends.

He was certainly one of the most pleasant athletes to interview by the Nassau Guardian sports team, and the team offers sincere condolences to his family, friends, the track and field family of The Bahamas, and to the local sports fraternity in general.

May his soul rest in peace.

Sports

Simba FrenchSend an emailSeptember 5, 2022 711 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Days after winning the women’s 200 meters (m) in Lucerne, Switzerland, Bahamian Anthonique Strachan hopped over to Budapest, Hungary to win the 200m race there. She finished first in that event on Friday and fellow Bahamian TyNia Gaither finished in second place.

Over at the Wanda Diamond League Memorial Van Damme in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday, Devynne Charlton was up against a stacked field and she finished sixth in the women’s 100m hurdles.

Strachan, who is having a strong season, ran out of the outside lane again, clocking 22.63 seconds to cross the finish line first at the Hungarian Grand Prix Series Meet at the Lantos Mihály Sportközpont in Budapest. Gaither, who is coming of a silver medal finish at the NACAC Championships, clocked 22.89 seconds to finish second to Strachan to complete the 1-2 punch for The Bahamas.

Finishing third was Jamaican Natasha Morrison who clocked 23.05 seconds.

Strachan is coming off a first place finish in the 200m at the Spitzen Leichtathletik Luzern at Stadion Allmend in Lucerne, Switzerland, on Tuesday, running out of lane eight. On Friday, she ran out of lane seven with Gaither beside her in lane six.

It was clear early on that Strachan meant business as she came off the curve in good position and powered her way down the final 100 meters. Gaither broke away from Morrison in the final 20 meters to complete the Bahamian sweep.

It was Strachan’s sixth time running sub-23 seconds this year in what has been a strong outdoor season for her. Gaither has also had a busy outdoor season.

After not winning in Europe in her career, it was her second straight victory on European soil, in a matter of days. Strachan has been fantastic, running the three fastest times of her career in the women’s 100m this year, and her fastest time in the women’s 200m in eight years. Her season’s best of 22.55 seconds was done at the MVP (Maximizing Velocity and Power) Velocity Fest in Kingston, Jamaica, earlier this year in which she defeated former World Champion in that event, Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Gaither is having a strong season as well, recording her personal best in the 200m despite missing out on the final at this year’s World Athletics Championships. She ran her personal best time of 22.41 seconds in the semifinals at the world championships in Eugene, Oregon.

In her race on Friday, Charlton clocked 12.66 seconds, running out of lane one. Winning that race was Puerto Rican Jasmine Comacho-Quinn who ran a meet record and season’s best 12.27 seconds, just outside of her personal best time of 12.26 seconds. American Tia Jones ran a personal best time of 12.38 seconds to get the second-place finish. American Kendra Harrison, the former world record holder, got third when she clocked 12.40 seconds. Also in that race were Jamaicans Britany Anderson and Megan Tapper.

It has been an up and down season for Charlton but the highlight of the season was her breaking the national record in the 100m hurdles with a time of 12.46 seconds in the semifinals of that event at the Oregon World Championships. Charlton also won the silver medal in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games this year.

Strachan, Gaither and Charlton are all expected to be back in action this week.

https://thenassauguardian.com/strachan-gaither-finish-1-2-charlton-sixth-in-brussels/

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Forbes just short of making semis; action continues today

Simba FrenchSend an emailSeptember 2, 2022 239 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Yet another Bahamian junior swimmer was able to advance to the semifinals at the 8th FINA (International Swimming Federation) World Junior Championships, currently ongoing at the VIDENA Aquatics Center in Lima, Peru. This time it was Marvin Johnson who placed 13th overall in the boys 50 meters (m) freestyle with a time of 23.39 seconds last night.

Rhanishka Gibbs was the first to qualify for a semifinal at this edition of the championships, placing 14th overall in the girls 50m breast on Tuesday.

Johnson finished sixth in the second semifinal, swimming out of lane eight, and was unable to make the final. Winning his heat was Portugal’s Diogo Matos with a time of 22.45 seconds. Swimming away with the fastest time heading into the final was Croatia’s Jere Hribar who clocked 22.35 seconds.

During the heats in the morning session, Johnson powered his way to a qualifying time of 23.38 seconds, swimming out of lane six in the 10th heat. He placed fifth in that heat, and his time placed him at number 15 heading into the semis.

Johnson’s teammate with the YMCA WaveRunners in Grand Bahama, Nigel Forbes, swam before him in heat number six. Swimming out of lane six, Forbes won his heat with a personal best time of 23.64 seconds to finish 18th overall. He was a reserve for last night’s semifinals. His previous personal best of 24.79 seconds was done in the same pool at the UANA (Swimming Union of the Americas) Swimming Cup in 2020.

It was a great feat for both swimmers as 82 athletes took part in that event.

Keianna Moss powered her way to another personal best, clocking 29.28 seconds in the girls 50m butterfly. She finished 23rd overall after placing eighth in heat number six that had six qualifiers. Her previous personal best was 29.53 seconds which she swam at CARIFTA in April in Wildey, Barbados. Croatia’s Jana Pavalic went into the semifinals with the fastest time of 26.86 seconds.

Gibbs placed 24th overall in the girls 100m breaststroke when she touched the wall in 1:17.87. She posted splits of 36.12 and 41.75 seconds. The 16-year-old placed sixth in heat seven. Poland’s Karolina Piechowicz swam the fastest time of 1:09.74 heading into the semis.

The four swimmers finished the morning session swimming in the mixed 4x100m free relay. The quartet finished 19th out of 28 teams after posting a time of 3:55.37. They were sixth in heat two. Forbes started the race off, turning in a split of 54.95 seconds. Johnson then continued the race and his split showed 55.39 seconds. Moss and Gibbs finished the race on the third and fourth legs respectively. Moss’ split was 1:02.08 seconds while Gibbs posted a split of 1:02.95 seconds.

The Bahamas will experience action in the pool today. Moss will swim in the girls 50m backstroke. Johnson and Forbes will swim in the boys 50m fly. Emmanuel Gadson and Erald Thompson III will compete in the boys 200m breast. Gibbs will have the day off.

https://thenassauguardian.com/johnson-finishes-13th-in-50m-free/

 Home|Sports|Inaugural Fred Sturrup Championships set for September 24Sports

Simba FrenchSend an emailSeptember 2, 2022 238 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Looking to give long-time boxing administrator Frederick Sturrup his flowers while he is able to enjoy it, the Major Pain Boxing Club will host the inaugural Fred Sturrup Boxing Championships on Saturday September 24 at the National Boxing Gym at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

Former Bahamian boxer Alpachino Allen, one of the organizers of the event, is anticipating a night of good quality fights.

“We are expecting a clash of the best amateurs in the country. In our club (Major Pain Club), we have John Saint Surin who is one of the top heavyweight amateur fighters. Also present at the show will be the Aftershock Boxing Club which has its own amateurs,” Allen stated.

Meacher ‘Major Pain’ Major will be in the ring in an exhibition fight, squaring off against Anthony ‘Psycho’ Woods. Professional boxer Tyrone Oliver taking on retired boxer Quincy ‘The Thriller Man’ Pratt is on the card for that night, also in an exhibition. Also in action that night will be Erin Williams, Aladdin Ellis, Davon Musgrove, Andrew Curtis, Mario Goddard, Christoff Robinson and Maleko Davis.

Sturrup was inducted into The Bahamas’ National Sports Hall of Fame in 2014 for sports journalism. He is currently the chairman of the Bahamas Boxing Commission and a former Bahamas Boxing Federation president and Commonwealth Boxing Council president. The organizers felt the need to show him appreciation for his support of the sport over the years.

“Fred has contributed many years as a sports analyst and he is in the hall of fame for sports journalism,” Allen said. “He has always backed the sport and is still involved in the sport. He put in the work and dedication for the sport of boxing so we wanted to recognize him.”

The organizers are looking to make the event an annual one and also host some smaller shows leading up to the big event. Allen said they want to give the amateurs more opportunities to showcase their skills, and also start a ranking system.

“It feels great to put on a show like this because boxing is a positive sport. It makes the young people participate in something that is positive. They can change their life because of the sport. The boxers are putting in the time and effort so we can get the sport of boxing going,” Allen said.

Allen is hoping that they can be more active in the lives of the boxers, particularly in their education and their progress academically. He is appealing to the Bahamian public to support the boxing event on September 24.

https://thenassauguardian.com/inaugural-fred-sturrup-championships-set-for-september-24/

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Simba FrenchSend an emailSeptember 2, 2022 209 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

A game-high 23 points was not enough for Bahamian women’s professional basketball player Jonquel ‘JJ’ Jones as she and her Connecticut Sun team fell 85-77 to the Chicago Sky in Game Two of their best-of-five semifinal series. That series is now tied at a game apiece.

Playing on the road at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday night, Jones was able to make 10 of her 17 shot attempts from the field in 29 minutes of play for the Sun. The Grand Bahama native was also effective from three-point territory, hitting 2-of-4. She pulled down seven rebounds and was able to dish out three assists. Jones, who was named to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team earlier this week, also had two blocks.

Only one other Sun player was able to score in double digits as Natasha Hiedeman finished with 14 points. All 10 active Sun players were able to score at least two points Wednesday night. They finished with 19 assists in the game.

Although they lost to the Sky, the Sun have the upper hand as they stole a crucial first game on Sunday, winning at least one of the first two games on the road. They now have home-court advantage.

A look at the stat sheet showed the game was basically even with both teams making 32 field goals. The Sun made five three-point shots while the Sky made six, they both had seven steals and 12 turnovers apiece. The Sun dominated the glass, 39-29. However, one of the biggest differences in the game was free-throw shooting. The Sun went 8-for-16 to shoot 50 percent while the Sky went 15-for-22, shooting 68.2 percent.

The Sky’s Candace Parker led them with 22 points on the offensive side of the ball. All five starters scored in double digits for them.

Jones was able to give the Sun an early three-point lead when she made a trey with 9:49 left in the first quarter. It was the Sun’s only lead of the game. Sky sharpshooter Allie Quigley hit a long distance shot to tie the game, and that started a 7-0 scoring run. By the time Jones went to the bench, with just under two minutes left in the first quarter, the Sky was up 22-14. The quarter ended with the Sky ahead 24-14.

Odyssey Sims made a jump shot at the 7:24 mark of the second quarter to cut the Sky lead to four points, 26-22. The Sky went on a 15-2 run after that, demoralizing Jones and the Sun. They led 41-24 with 2:40 left in the first half. The first half ended with the Sky up 47-32. The Bahamian had 10 points.

It didn’t get any better in the third quarter for the Sun as they shot the ball poorly from the field, going 6-for-17 to shoot 35.3 percent. At one point, the Sky led 61-41. They controlled the game offensively, and at the end of the three quarters, they were up 65-48.

Jones turned it up in the fourth quarter, scoring nine points but it was not enough. The Sun managed to outscore the host 29-20 in the fourth quarter but the result was already a foregone conclusion. The Sun were also able to cut the lead down to single digits, after the starters on both teams were pulled, but the lead was too insurmountable to overcome.

The pivotal third game will be held on Sunday at 1 p.m. on the Sun’s home floor at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Game Four will also be in Uncasville as the Sun look to finish off the series at home.

https://thenassauguardian.com/jones-23-points-not-enough-as-sky-evens-series/

Shortstop successfully undergoes surgery; prepared for rehab and recovery

Sheldon LongleySend an emailSeptember 1, 2022 887 4 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Promising young shortstop in the New Providence Softball Association (NPSA) Kendalia Turner had no idea her first full season in the league would end in hurt and misery, but her spirits remain high. The 23-year-old former junior and senior national team player suffered a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula during the NPSA’s all-star games on the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex on Saturday.

She remains upbeat, following a successful surgery, albeit knowing that a lengthy rehabilitation and recovery process awaits her. Turner suffered the injury while sliding into home plate, trying to avoid a tag in the bottom of the first inning of the women’s all-star game last Saturday. She said she was in excruciating pain.

The talented young player is out for the season and is hopeful of a return in 2023. Turner is the captain for the Johnson’s Lady Truckers in the NPSA, and said she intends to fully support her teammates in their push for a NPSA title this year.

“It’s very disappointing. I was looking forward to the completion of the season. Even all-star, I was looking forward to playing so it’s disappointing to go out in this way, but I’m not depressed,” she said. “That was the most people I saw to the park since the season started so I was excited to play. Softball has done a lot for me and I enjoy playing the game. This was like my first full-time season, because I was always away to school. I would come home during summer break and play, but now that I’m finished with school, this was all the softball I had so I took it a bit seriously. This is all a new experience for me, and it’s unfortunate, but now I have to adjust.”

Turner said she has received medical advice to not put any pressure on her leg for six weeks and then gradually get back into walking again and begin the recovery process. She currently wears a soft cast on her lower right leg, walks around with crutches and takes medication for the pain.

Prior to her injury, Turner was one of the best shortstops in women’s softball in the country. She left The Bahamas in 2014 after grade 10 to finish high school in the United States (US) – completing grades 11 and 12 at Lyndon Institute in Lyndon, Vermont. Following that, Turner accepted a full scholarship to Georgian Court University in Lakewood Township, New Jersey, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Finance and Accounting in 2020.

Nationally, Turner has represented The Bahamas at both the junior and senior national team levels. She was a member of The Bahamas’ team that travelled to the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) XII Junior Women’s Softball World Championship in Clearwater, Florida, in 2017; and a member of the team that competed in the WBSC’s IX Women’s Softball Pan American Championship in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 2019.

Due to a stoppage in play because of the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, and because of her time away in school in the US, this was Turner’s first full season in the NPSA.

“From I slid into home plate and felt the pain, I knew right away that it was something major,” said Turner. “On a pass ball, if I’m on third, a player like me, I going, and that was the situation. The ball bounced back off the back padding and it was coming back toward the plate. The pitcher and the catcher both went after the ball trying to make a play. There was a lot going on at the plate and I was coming in fast. Both the pitcher and the catcher were like almost in the basepath, so I went around and avoided them, and tried to slide, but my foot went directly into the plate. I watched my leg go two different ways – it was crazy.”

Turner said, for now, she’s taking the doctor’s advice, staying off her legs as much as possible, and taking it one day at a time.

“I try not to walk on it too much – just resting for now,” she said, “I never went through anything like this. This is my first major injury. It isn’t career-ending so that’s the good thing. I’ll miss the action this year, but I’ll be there to support my teammates and cheer them on. Hopefully, they could go out there and win a championship without me. I’m hopeful that recovery goes well, and if it’s the Lord’s will, I’ll be back next year.

“I just want to thank all of the players, coaches, officials and fans for the support. When I came out of the dugout and I saw everyone standing and clapping, that brought tears to my eyes. The support has been crazy good. Sometimes, you don’t think that you have such an impact on persons but it was really heart-warming to see that. The support was really overwhelming. God has been good to me and I expect the recovery to go smoothly.

“Please keep praying for me and keep showing me love and support. I’m going to need it all.”

Turner’s team, the Johnson’s Lady Truckers, is currently in a battle for the pennant in the NPSA. There is still one round of games remaining, and as the captain of the team, she is looking to support her teammates throughout the whole process.

In addition to playing night league softball, Turner coaches girls softball as an assistant with the Sports Center Players up by the Junior Baseball League of Nassau (JBLN), thereby giving back to the sport that has greatly assisted in her development as a player and as a person so far in her life.

She is eagerly anticipating the day of a return to softball action.

https://thenassauguardian.com/long-road-ahead-for-turner/

Simba FrenchSend an emailSeptember 1, 2022 231 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Motivated from a semifinal appearance from Rhanishka Gibbs on Day One of the FINA (International Swimming Federation) World Junior Championships, Team Bahamas returned to action yesterday, looking to build off that performance at the VIDENA Aquatics Center in Lima, Peru.

Keianna Moss, Nigel Forbes and Erald Thompson III swam two races each while Marvin Johnson and Gibbs swam one race each.

Moss’ best finish of the morning came in the girls 200 meters (m) butterfly. The 17-year-old placed 22nd overall in that event when she clocked 2:35.64 in the second heat. She swam splits of 31.62, 38.27, 42.59 and 43.16 seconds. Heading into the final with the fastest time was Italian Paola Borrelli who swam 2:14.29.

Moss’ first event of the morning was the girls 100m freestyle that also featured Gibbs. Moss was the fastest of the two when she posted a new personal best time of 1:00.65. Her time was enough to place her at 26th overall after swimming splits of 29.13 and 31.52 seconds in the sixth heat. Gibbs was in action in the heat just before Moss. She placed 37th overall with a time of 1:02.14 which had splits of 28.88 and 33.26 seconds.

Italian Matilde Biagiotti has the fastest time of 55.92 seconds heading into the semifinals.

Forbes was brilliant in the boys 100m fly, placing 23rd overall. Johnson was 36th overall. Forbes swam 56.71 seconds after swimming 25.78 seconds in the first 50 meters and 30.93 seconds in the final 50 meters in the seventh heat. His fellow Grand Bahamian Johnson swam a time of 58.94 seconds and was able to have splits of 26.73 and 32.31 seconds in the eighth heat.

Portugal’s Diogo Matos posted the fastest time of 53.22 seconds going into the semifinals last night.

In the boys 200m individual medley (IM), Forbes and Thompson were in action. Forbes placed 33rd overall with a time of 2:12.83 while Thompson swam 2:19.19 to finish 47th overall. Forbes’ splits were 26.23, 33.29, 39.15 and 34.06 seconds. Thompson’s splits were 28.47, 36.29, 41.12 and 33.31 seconds. His 28.47 seconds split on the fly leg was a personal best.

Turkish’s Yigit Oktar swam the fastest time of 2:01.76 heading into final.

Thompson swam the boys 200m free and placed 52nd overall after touching the wall in 2:09.18. The 18-year-old recorded splits of 28.92, 32.52, 33.76 and 33.98 seconds. Romania’s David Popovici had the fastest time of 1:49.40 in that event heading into the final.

Action continues this morning for The Bahamas as Moss swims in the girls 50m fly, Gibbs in the girls 100m breaststroke, and Forbes and Johnson in the boys 50m free.

https://thenassauguardian.com/the-bahamas-wraps-up-second-day-of-competition-in-peru/

Sports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 1, 2022 187 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas’ Under-17 Boys National Soccer Team kicked off the 2022 CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) Under-17 (U17) Championship Qualifiers at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, with a big 2-1 victory over Dutch territory Sint Maarten in Group A in competition.

After Sint Maarten took the initial lead in the first half, The Bahamas’ Reuben Edgecombe clawed the squad back into the match with a 25-yard rocket which caught the Sint Maarten goalkeeper off his line in the 32nd minute of the game.

Kai Perez got the game winner for The Bahamas off a rebound from a long free kick by captain William Gardiner, putting the Bahamian team up 2-1, in the 63rd minute of the game. The defense continued to frustrate the Sint Maarten squad. They tried in vain to break The Bahamas’ defense the rest of the way. Timely saves by Bahamian goalkeeper Ahmaad Smith allowed The Bahamas to walk off with the victory in rainy weather.

The squad, led by Head Coach Nesly Jean and assistant coaches Kevin Davies and Avery Kemp alongside Bahamas Football Association’s (BFA) Technical Director Bruce Swan, now begin preparation for their next match on Thursday. They will take on powerhouse Guyana at 11 a.m.

Against Sint Maarten, The Bahamas’ Man of the Match was Kai Perez.

https://thenassauguardian.com/the-bahamas-tops-sint-maarten/