Home|Sports|‘Let’s Move Bahamas’ Fun Run/Walk draws hundredsSports

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Sheldon LongleySend an emailApril 11, 2023 142 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The “Let’s Move Bahamas” CARIFTA Fun Run/Walk on Easter Monday morning, a first of its kind over the Easter holiday weekend in the CARIFTA movement, turned out to be a smashing success.

The event, which got underway promptly at 6 a.m. on Monday, drew hundreds of locals and visiting guests to the northern shoreline of the island of New Providence taking part in an innovative event that could very well become a staple on the CARIFTA calendar. That’s how well-received the event actually was.

World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe himself served as the patron of the event and also participated, showing some of the skill set that enabled him to win two Olympic titles in his heyday. He finished in the top five Monday morning.

Even Prime Minister Philip Davis was out for a morning stroll, walking the five-mile course with his entourage. He was joined by Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) President Drumeco Archer, other BAAA executives, Bahamian president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) Mike Sands and others. International guests included Lord Coe and World Athletics Council Member Willie Banks of the United States.

The event served as a prelude for the final day of the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games in which Jamaica won a 37th straight title over at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. As for the fun run/walk, BAAA President Archer said it was exactly what was needed to gather Bahamians together in a celebration of track and field and the CARIFTA movement. The event was organized by the BAAA.

“This is the atmosphere that we were searching for. It’s a celebration of track and field, it’s a celebration of the CARIFTA movement and it’s in fellowship with our brothers and sisters from around the region. Looking at the numbers that we would have attracted to this event, I could truly say that it was well-received and it’s something that we could build on for the future,” said Archer.

Some of the participants in the event went straight to the track following the early morning run/walk for the Easter Monday morning session of the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games which wrapped up last night.

Other innovative aspects of the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games included a lively CARIFTA Cultural Village, which featured various forms of entertainment every night, a tea party for invited guests, and there was a mini Good Friday concert after a grand opening ceremony and an Easter Sunday church service prior to the morning session on the middle day of the championships.

Fans turned out in large numbers for the entire three days of the CARIFTA Games.

The Bahamas hosted CARIFTA track and field for a record ninth time this year, and it came during the nation’s 50th independence year. Next year’s CARIFTA Games is set for Grenada.

https://thenassauguardian.com/lets-move-bahamas-fun-run-walk-draws-hundreds/

 Home|Sports|Jamaica leads competition as CARIFTA into final dayNewsSports

Two CARIFTA records for Bahamas so far

Sheldon LongleySend an emailApril 10, 2023 1,518 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Going into the final session of the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games, The Bahamas on Monday has a total of 28 medals – six gold, nine silver and 13 bronze.

Jamaica continues to lead the competition, securing 47 total medals – 25 gold, 14 silver and eight bronze. 

Trinidad and Tobago rounds out the top three nations with 14 total medals – two gold, five silver and seven bronze.

The junior regional athletics meet is going down as one of the more action packed, engaging and all-inclusive editions of the CARIFTA Games in its history.

The action on the track and in the field was complemented with a lively cultural village and there was a grand opening ceremony, an upscale tea party for regional and global guests, and the “Let’s Move Bahamas” CARIFTA Fun Run/Walk in which World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe served as the patron and also participated in the event.

In terms of the performances by The Bahamas, there have been two CARIFTA records so far.

After chasing the national record and CARIFTA record for a couple years, Brenden Vanderpool finally got the breakthrough he was searching for on Saturday night, winning gold in the open boys pole vault with a heightof 5.06m (16′ 7-1/4″), breaking both records.

The old national record of 4.89m (16′ 0-1/2″) was set by his father Brent Vanderpool in 1987 and was one of the oldest national records on the books.

The old CARIFTA record of 5.05m (16′ 6-3/4″) was set by Thiery Baptiste of Martinique in Nassau in 2018.

 The Bahamas also got a bronze medal in that event as Tyler Cash leapt 4.45m (14′ 7-1/4″).

Jeremiah Felix, of St. Lucia, spilt the two Bahamians with a leap of 4.60m (15′ 1″) for the silver medal.

Not to be outdone, Kamera Strachan endured a tough battle with her teammate Dior-Rae Scott and emerged as the new champion and CARIFTA record holder in the under-17 girls javelin.

She had a massive throw of 46.07m (151′ 2″) for the gold medal to surpass the record setting throw of 44.57m (146′ 2″) from Scott in Kingston, Jamaica, last year.

Scott settled for the silver this time with a personal best heave of 45.13m (148′ 1″) and Naya Jules, of St. Lucia, won the bronze medal with a throw of 42.92m (140′ 10″).

It was the only event of the weekend in which The Bahamas finished first and second.

Kaden Cartwright got the gold medal haul started for The Bahamas with a huge throw of 64.07 meters (m) – 210′ 2″ – in the under-20 boys javelin on Saturday.

Dorian Charles, of Trinidad and Tobago, won the silver medal with a throw of 61.58m (202′) and Cameron Thomas of Grenada won the bronze with a throw of 60.12m (197′ 3″).

“It feels pretty good,” Cartwright said.

“I just want to thank God, my parents and my coaches. I came out here, trusting in my training and trusting the process. I’m proud of what I was able to do. To win the gold is a special feeling.”

The competition is expected to heat up on this evening (Monday) as the three-day meet concludes at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

The Nassau Guardian’s sports section on Tuesday will have full coverage of the performance.

https://thenassauguardian.com/jamaica-leads-competition-as-carifta-into-final-day/

As of Thursday, April 6, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#TEAM Aruba and Team Trinidad joined Team Bahamas yesterday at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium after their arrivals to the island nation.

#With the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games set to start tomorrow (April 7), teams have made their way to The Bahamas to get settled in the Games Village at Breezes Bahamas.

#The island nation’s record ninth hosting of the games is special as it coincides with the 50th year of The Bahamas’ Independence. CARIFTA teams are looking to get in some last minute practices ahead of Easter weekend as all 28 Caribbean countries prepare to go to war on the track and field at the TAR stadium.

#Richard Luydens, head coach of Team Aruba, talked about the practice sessions with his athletes.

#Luydens said the team began their commute to The Bahamas on April 4 and arrived in the country yesterday morning after staying one night in Miami.

#He said it’s the team’s first time practicing this week because the stadium in Aruba is under renovation so athletes have not been on the track in a while.

#The 12-member team of Aruba made a few laps around the track yesterday to test the fastness of the track, according to their head coach.

#He added that most of the team consists of sprinters, long distance runners, along with two jumpers.

#On the day, they practiced some jumps and their long distance running. Upon their arrival, Team Trinidad and Tobago immediately got their training underway on the track. The country named a 63-member squad in early March ahead of this year’s CARIFTA games. Their team will look to make some noise on Easter weekend with 20 more athletes than last year’s total.

#The team worked on their relay techniques, practicing their jumps, and making their rounds around the track.

#Kelvin Nancoo, head coach of Team Trinidad, talked about his expectations for Easter weekend’s 50th CARIFTA Games. “I expect us to do very well. They have trained well so now this is the opportunity to go out and do it,” Nancoo said.

#He added that Trinidad’s jumpers, and multi-event athletes will perform well on the track and field. Also, he expects that Team Trinidad will win all of the relays and that Tafari Waldron will definitely take home a win in the 5,000m long-distance race.

#T and T’s head coach said its a great opportunity to compete in The Bahamas for the 50th CARIFTA games and he wishes the country well as it celebrates the 50th year of independence.

#The highly-anticipated Team Jamaica is expected to arrive late Wednesday night.

#This year’s games will feature 600 athletes from 28 Caribbean countries.

#The first event of Easter’s CARIFTA is the opening ceremony which is set to take place April 7 at the Eastern Grandstand of the TAR stadium. The ceremony will start at 4pm and end at 7pm.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/06/teams-aruba-and-tt-touch-down/?news

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg joins community leaders and family of Devynne Charlton for the unveiling.

As of Thursday, April 6, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#DEVYNNE Charlton, who is an inspiration to her younger sister, is hoping that more Bahamians will aspire to follow in her footsteps as her images and accomplishments were splashed on a billboard in her community.

#The Stapledon Neighbourhood Watch Committee unveiled the billboard which displayed her accolades in the women’s 100 metres hurdles that include one-time World Indoor Championship and Commonwealth Games silver medallist, an Olympic Games and World Championship finalist, two-time national record holder and one-time World Athletics Indoor World Tour champion.

#Flanked by her parents David and Laura Charlton and her younger sister Anthaya, who came home from Kentucky to view the Oaktree Medical Center’s 50th CARIFTA Games this weekend, Charlton said she was honoured by the billboard that is erected at the corner of Tonique Williams-Darling Highway and Christie Avenue.

#Also in attendance for the event was Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, Masai Russell, a hurdles/sprints team-mate of Charlton in Kentucky and members of the Stapledon Neighbourhood Watch Committee and some of the sponsors.

Devynne Charlton flanked by her sister Anathaya and parents David and Laura Charlton in front of unveiled sign in Stapledon Gardens where they reside.

#“I hope this can be something that can show other young kids in Stapledon what they can do,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what community you come from as long as you work towards your goal, you can get up there.” It was the second such billboard posted in Stapleton Gardens as Charlton joined World and Olympic Games women’s 400m champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who was the first highlighted for her achievements.

#“I don’t know if people knew what neighborhood I grew up in honestly. I think it will do something seeing that I grew up in the same place just as them,” she noted. “Just the impact that I’ve had on sports, I feel a lot more kids taking part in the hurdles.”

#Having made her mark on the international scene as one of the top ten competitors in the hurdles on the global stage, Charlton said it’s an event that more athletes should pursue in their effort to get to the same position as she has risen.

#This was the first time since 2013 when she participated in the CARIFTA Games that Charlton has been in attendance, so with the event taking place this weekend at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, she’s delighted to be here to lend her suppor.t

#“With this bring the 50th edition and also our 50th anniversary of Independence, I think this is going to be a special time for us and I just wanted to be home to be a part of it,” Charlton said.

#Once she returns to Kentucky on Sunday, she will prepare for her outdoor season opener next week in Florida to get the ball rolling for the champaign towards the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in August.

#Without putting any restrictions on herself, Charlton said the goal is to get on the podium and win a medal on the biggest global stage of the sport.

#As for her younger sister, Anthaya, who is fast becoming one of the top collegians in just her freshman year at Kentucky, Charlton said she may have the fastest time on paper in the 100m, but they have not gone head-to-head to determine who is definitely the best.

#Anthaya Charlton, who also competes in the 100 and 100m hurdlers as well as the long jump, said while her time as established her as the best, she’s just delighted to her older sister as her biggest supporter in training in Kentucky.

#“Now we need two signs. I need my own. I want my billboard on the street too,” said Anthaya Just On Tuesday, Charlton was named the Freshman Athlete of the Week after she clocked a personal best of 11.13 to move to No.2 in the NCAA, and was third in the long jump with 21-feet, 4 3/4-inches at the Texas Relays over the weekend

#“I am now the fastest in the 100m between the two of us. but I will let her keep the hurdles. I don’t want to take the two spots away from her right now.”

#After quitting track last year, Anthaya Charlton said she’s just thrilled to be back and back in a big way as she’s excelled beyond the level she attained last year.

#“I think it’s going to be a really good season for me,” said Charlton, who just completed her CARIFTA eligibility last year, but encouraged the 80 members of this year’s team to go out and enjoy themselves and represent the Bahamas on our home territory.

#Russell, who was named the Women’s Runner of the Week at the Texas Relays, said coming from Washington DC, to be able to view the palm trees and other natural resources in the Bahamas,. was breathtaking.

#She noted, however, that nothing topped watching the billboard unveiled for her close friend Devynne Charlton.

#“I think this just gives all of us the inspiration to go out and accomplishment all that she has achieved,” Russell said. “It’s crazy and exciting to have two sisters like this training and competing with you.”

#Additionally, Russell said she’s even more eager to watch the competition during the games before they return to Kentucky to continue their training and competition.

#Bowleg congratulated Stapledon for taking the initiative to recognize and show appreciation for one of their own.

#“Devynne is one of those athletes who have tried hard and has grown over the years and has made all of us very proud,” Bowleg said.

#“I hope that I will still be the Minister on the sideline when she wins her first Olympic medal because I have supported her from the time she went through her battle with injuries and was able to bounce back. She knows what she wants and as a former coach when you found athletes like that, you just need to give them all the support they need. That is what I’ve tried to do for her.”

#Bowleg welcomed the Charlton girls and their friends from Kentucky and indicated that he hopes they will all enjoy themselves during the CARIFTA Games.

#Laura Charlton, speaking on behalf of her husband, said it’s a great feeling to see that where she was born and breed, she’s now being recognized for her accomplishment.

#“This should also serve as an encouragement for other youngsters in the community to let them know that they too can achieve the same thing that she has,” Laura Charlton said. “We are very thankful to the community for taking the opportunity to recognize her in this fashion.”

#Stapledon Community Watch president Jouette Smith said when they do things in Stapledon, they do it big or they don’t do it at all. He noted that they did it one for Miller-Uibo and since January, they were making plans for this second unveiling that took place.

#“On this billboard is over 30 sponsors from across the length and breadth of the Bahamans. That there is no easy task,” he said. “All of them have pledged in one way or the other to assist this community in any initiative or all of our initiatives that we may have.”

#Smith added that he promised Laura Charlton that Devynne would be the second person to be unveiled on the billboard and he’s pleased to do it for an athlete who have represented the Bahamas very well on the global stage.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/06/devynne-charlton-billboard-unveiled-stapledon/?news

BATON EXCHANGE: Darvinique Dean gets ready to pass the baton to Jamiah Nabbie during yesterday evening’s CARIFTA Games practice session at Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. Photo: Tenajh Sweeting

As of Thursday, April 6, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The Bahamas CARIFTA team is ready to win gold on home soil at this year’s 50th CARIFTA Games.

#Last week the team rolled out a full 80-member team for the first time in Bahamian history as athletes look to shine at The Bahamas’ record ninth hosting of CARIFTA.

#With the countdown for the event now down to zero as the opening ceremony for the event will take place 4pm tomorrow at the Thomas A Robinson stadium, first-time athletes are ready to leave it all on the track and field.

#The Bahamas’ 80-member team has more than 50 first-time athletes on this year’s team. Among this year’s first timers is none other than Amari Pratt. The under 20 performer initially qualified for CARIFTA in 2020 but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was cancelled. However, she is happy to make her CARIFTA debut on home soil.

#“I am kind of excited. I know what I came to do. I am just going to execute my race the best I can and try to come home with the gold,” Pratt said.

#She said she is very excited to see her hometown crowd, including her friends and family. She also looks forward to the support of the Bahamians.

#Darvinique Dean is also set to make her CARIFTA debut in under 17 girls 400m race and 400m hurdles. Dean secured her spot on this year’s CARIFTA team by qualifying in the under 17 400m race with a time of 56.58 which bested the qualifying mark of 56.64 at the CARIFTA trials and nationals.

#“I am very excited. I am glad that I am here to represent my country. I am glad that I am doing it at home so people can know who I am and to just do well,” Dean said.

#She said physically she placed emphasis on her diet and mentally she tries to get a full night of rest in preparation for morning practice while also having a play no games mindset.

#Melvinique Gibson will look to make her name known in her CARIFTA debut in the under 20 girls 4x100m race and possibly the 4x400m relays.

#Gibson talked about how it felt to be selected to an historic team.

#“It feels good, it feels like a dream come true and everything I said last time just came into fruition so I thank God most of all,” she said.

#She added that she feels 100% ready physically and that she goes the extra mile to practice at home after evening sessions to give herself an extra push ahead of her big debut.

#Shayann Demeritte will look to make the country proud in the 100m and 200m race. Demeritte qualified for CARIFTA multiple times throughout the track season leading up the 50th edition of the games. Demeritte talked about how it feels knowing she will compete in front of a home crowd.

#“I am very excited because I know that The Bahamas will come out to support and I know that they will have our backs,” she said.

Subway Bahamas comes on board as a bronze level sponsor of the 50th CARIFTA Games in Nassau over the Easter weekend. Pictured, from left to right, are Dion Miller, Subway operations manager, Shantika Jones, Subway multi-unit manager, Lynden Maycock, LOC chairman, and Fernerin Hanna, marketing director.

#The under 17 athlete added that she is mentally preparing through prayer and physically she is working on starting stronger to be in tip top shape for her three events (100m, 200m, 4×100 relays) at CARIFTA.

#Madison Moss is excited to make her CARIFTA debut in the under 17 girls 100m hurdles action.

#She said that although she is excited it is kind of nerve-wrecking knowing that it is going to be home but physically she credits long practices, long evenings, and early mornings for what she will be able to do in the event.

#For the boys, some of this year’s Team Bahamas first-timers are Adam Musgrove, Eagan Neely, Laquan Ellis, Zion Hendfield, and Johnathan Fowler.

#Musgrove is set to compete in this year’s under 20 boys 100m and 200m race.

#“It feels amazing, it feels like a dream come through,” he said.

#He added that competing at home will definitely give the team an advantage from the thrill of the crowd to step a little harder, throw a little further, and jump a little longer.

#Eagan Neely will perform for The Bahamas in the 400m race for the first time. He said that so far he is enjoying the experience of being a CARIFTA athlete and he cannot wait to compete against all the different countries.

#Laquan Ellis, will look to leap for gold in Easter weekend’s triple jump event. The athlete grew up in Bimini but studies abroad and decided to compete at this year’s event after missing the last one due to injury.. Ellls talked about his mindset going into his CARIFTA debut.

#“It feels great, it’s a blessing nonetheless and I am pretty proud to be able to represent my country,” he said.

#Zion Hendfield, first time competitor at CARIFTA, will look to make his parents and country proud at this year’s games in the 800m race.

#He said he feels like his own special person and it feels great to make it and achieve something his parents could be proud of.

#Johnathan Fowler, will look to bring home gold for the “G” team at this year’s 50th CARIFTA games. Fowler said the third time’s the charm as he missed the first CARIFTA he was selected to, the second time the games were not hosted, and now the third he is ready to go.

#He added that he is very excited and feels extremely blessed. The young athlete said it feels like he is in the best shape of his life and he is ready to compete in front of the home crowd.

#Pharez Cooper, team manager of Team Bahamas, said chemistry has been a big factor in practice sessions with athletes.

#Cooper said the team got together for the first time at a church service on Sunday and the officials immediately noticed some synergy between them.

#“Chemistry is very important not just on the field but with each other as individuals you can’t just have challenges or malice in between the teammates,” Cooper said.

#He added that being on the same wavelength is important as well and matching the capabilities of their teammates. Like many of the first-time athletes Cooper believes the home advantage will lift Team Bahamas to a CARIFTA win.

#Additionally, he finished by saying practice sessions have been very beneficial because it is the athletes going against other really good athletes and he believes that things are coming along well and Team Bahamas is just about ready.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/06/going-gold/?news

 Home|Sports|Bruney looking to lead team to a fifth straight winSports

Swim team ready to compete in Curaçao; competition starts today

Simba FrenchSend an emailApril 6, 2023 189 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

CARIFTA first-year head coach for The Bahamas Camron Bruney said the team is ready to go after a fifth consecutive CARIFTA Swimming Championships title. The team is currently in Willemstad, Curaçao, for the 36th edition of the meet.

Action gets underway today at the Sentro Deportivo Kòrsou – Pisina “Enith Brigitha” in Curaçao, starting at 9 a.m.

The team was practicing primarily on Saturdays leading up to this week and added this past Sunday, Monday and Tuesday as practice days as the out-of-town swimmers joined the local swimmers.

“The practices have been awesome,” Bruney said. “For the new people, sometimes, nerves get to them being around so many experienced and competitive swimmers when they come into this space. After a few practices, they were able to warm up and got comfortable. They were able to bring the energy and team spirit.”

Going for five straight wins and seven out of eight championships brings some pressure with it. For Bruney, he said that feeling was there earlier but is no longer there.

“I was feeling some pressure earlier on but as I got more involved with the kids and got to know them, I saw their level of confidence grow. The pressure is not there anymore. I have more confidence in all 36 swimmers. They will go out there and do their best and the result will take care of itself,” he said.

Working along with Bruney as assistant coaches are Travano McPhee, who was the head coach for the past three championships, and Mancer Roberts Jr. Bruney said they have seen some good things from the team over the past month.

“We have good strength in all the age groups. I do not see any weaknesses on this team,” he said. “Everyone has a chance to do their part, pull their weight and that is how we are going to come back with five straight titles.”

For Bruney, who represented The Bahamas at the CARIFTA level in swimming in 2007 and again in 2009 as a breaststroke and a freestyle swimmer, he is happy to see what the federation has done with swimming in the country. Under the guidance of the Bahamas Aquatics Federation, The Bahamas has won four straight CARIFTA swimming titles and six out of seven.

“In my time, swimming for The Bahamas, we had a chance to win and we did not win that year,” he said. “To come back more than 10 years later and see the growth of swimming in The Bahamas and to say we have swimmers who go and win medals and we come first, that is amazing. It is good to see that we have Bahamian coaches doing their craft and producing great results at CARIFTA.”

CARIFTA swimming is points-based and the coaching staff is ensuring that the team does well in the relays which counts for double points. Bruney noted that they have been working on starts and exchanges.

The Bahamas came away with 975 total points for a win in the four-day meet in Barbados in 2022. Overall, The Bahamas finished with 65 total medals – 14 gold, 22 silver and 29 bronze. Jamaica was second with 833.50 points and the Cayman Islands finished third with 754 points.

https://thenassauguardian.com/bruney-looking-to-lead-team-to-a-fifth-straight-win/

 Home|Sports|Nassau ‘Nastics sending a team to CATS Beach Blast InviteSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailApril 6, 2023 381 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The sport of gymnastics continues to grow and flourish in the country.

Nassau ‘Nastics, the oldest gymnastics club in the country, is sending a team of seven gymnasts off to the CATS Beach Blast Invite, staged by Gold Coast Gymnastics, at Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington, Florida, USA. The weekend tournament is set for April 15-16.

Representing the club and the country are Taylor Robinson (14), Charis Edgecombe (13), Kia Bazard (11), Anai Ingraham (8), Braeden Musgrove (6) and the youngest member of the team Shanelle Hepburn (4). They will be coached by established gymnast Rashad Cunningham who has represented The Bahamas internationally for years.

In total, there are 24 gymnasts enrolled at Nassau ‘Nastics, but just seven will be competing on this trip. Over 2,000 gymnasts are expected to compete at the CATS Beach Blast Invite.

“We are very excited. We are always excited to be going to international competitions, simply for the fact that it gives the gymnasts the experience they need,” said Coach Cunningham. “For us, the sport of gymnastics is not looked at like it should be looked at by our people. A lot of people still don’t know that the sport of gymnastics exists in this country. We are excited that we could shine a light on something that we have been doing for years.”

Cunningham said this is the third time this year they are traveling to international competitions and that their goal is to qualify for major meets such as the Pan American Games and ultimately the Junior World Gymnastics Championships and the youth and junior Olympics.

“Our girls would have to enter other international meets where they would compete in a USA Gymnastics meet in order to qualify for the big meets. We feel like we have girls who are up to par now, but we need them to compete in more international events and qualifying events to get that opportunity to qualify for the big events,” said Cunningham. “The girls have been working throughout the entire pandemic even when everything was closed down, so they have managed to keep sharp. They have improved and their scores have increased. From the last three of four competitions that we would have done, we have been speaking with international coaches and judges to see how we could improve. By the blessing of God, we have been improving steadily and I don’t expect anything different for this particular competition. The girls have been working very hard, improving their skills and now it’s time to showcase that skill set. The goal is to always get our girls to qualify for the bigger tournaments and participate in the junior worlds, junior Olympics and therefore move on to senior worlds and Olympics. Wish them the best,” he added.

The 2023 CATS Beach Blast Invite is sanctioned by USA Gymnastics – the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in the United States.

https://thenassauguardian.com/nassau-nastics-sending-a-team-to-cats-beach-blast-invite/

 Home|Sports|Forbes, Moss, Johnson lead by exampleSports

Trio looking to help Team Bahamas keep winning streak alive

Simba FrenchSend an emailApril 6, 2023 246 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

To win multiple championship titles in sports in a row is tough and The Bahamas has won four straight CARIFTA Swimming Championships, dating back to 2017 when the meet was hosted here in Nassau, The Bahamas. Nigel Forbes, who is in his final year of CARIFTA eligibility, has been a part of all four titles for The Bahamas and Keianna Moss and Marvin Johnson have represented The Bahamas in three of those championship wins. The trio are three of the leaders on Team Bahamas for the CARIFTA Swimming Championships which get underway today in Willemstad, Curaçao, leading by example.

To be a part of that many championship winning teams is not an easy feat. For Forbes, it has been very exciting to be a part of something as special as this and he thanked God for the success that the country has had in recent past.

“My first year in 11-12 age group was the championship year that stood out to me the most, mostly because it was my first year being on the CARIFTA team and we won. It was awesome to see the excitement of everyone because we won it in front of our home crowd. The atmosphere was legendary. It would mean a lot to me if we can five-peat because this is my final CARIFTA. I would love to go out on a high note,” said Forbes.

For Moss, it has also been an exciting experience. She has not been a part of a team that has not won a CARIFTA swimming meet.

“Getting to experience the wins each year with different swimmers on the team is very special. I enjoyed the bottom of my 13-14 period at CARIFTA in Barbados when I won my very first medals for The Bahamas which was gold and silver,” Moss said.

Swimming at CARIFTA has been an honor for Johnson, who does not take it lightly.

“A lot of swimmers flake out and lose that speed. It has been by the grace of God that I have an opportunity to be able to continue to be faithful and stay on this team which is a championship caliber team,” Johnson said.

CARIFTA swimming is a point-based meet and Moss said she just wants to bring in as much points as she can.

“In order for us to bring the win home again for a five-peat, it will take having to get our swimmers in each event back to the finals. In my opinion, we usually don’t have the fastest swimmers, but our swimmers have always got to finals and that is how we are going to win this five-peat.”

She feels good heading into CARIFTA and has been working out at the school she attends, McKendree University, with her coaches and teammates.

“Nigel and I go from way back. We have been racing each other and we have been teammates,” said Johnson. “It has always been a great honor to be with him and share the pool with him. Keianna has always been a sister to me. We always come to meets and get into arguments, and we have fun. We swim fast. It is just the bond you make. I will never forget what they have done for me and what I have done for them. Without them, the sport of swimming and my legacy in the sport of swimming would not have been how it is now.”

Johnson has known Forbes for years, with the duo having swam together in Grand Bahama. Johnson and Moss have been swimming on the same national team since 2018.

Forbes, who has committed to swim at Texas Christian University, has worked more on his mental state in preparation for this meet.

“I intend to swim to the best of my ability and I’m hoping to be able to encourage the other swimmers to push hard and to do the best they can. I have been working very hard. I worked harder than I have before and worked on being more disciplined and focusing a lot on the mental preparation for the meet,” Forbes said.

Johnson said that The Bahamas has a target on its back, but they are a family. He said a lot of teams have tried to put together great teams, but The Bahamas has something above everyone else – consistency and teamwork. Competition gets underway today.

https://thenassauguardian.com/forbes-moss-johnson-lead-by-example/

 Home|Sports|Devynne Charlton honored by Stapledon Neighborhood WatchSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailApril 6, 2023 695 4 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Olympic and World Championships finalist and world indoor silver medalist Devynne Charlton is getting some of her flowers while she’s able to enjoy it.

The Bahamian national record holder in the women’s 60 meters (m) hurdles indoors and 100m hurdles outdoors was honored on Wednesday as she was featured on a roadside billboard at the Tonique Williams-Darling and Christie Avenue entrance of the Stapledon Gardens community. The huge sign, which was erected by the Stapledon Neighborhood Watch group, featured Charlton in competition in Team Bahamas and Puma gear and a list of some of her accomplishments.

It comes just three days before the start of the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games, set for April 8-10, at the Thomas A. Robinson Nation al Stadium.

“This means a lot. I have a lot of fond memories growing up in Stapledon,” said Charlton on Wednesday. “It’s amazing to see what the neighborhood watch is doing with the neighborhood and to be commemorated in this way is an honor. I hope it could be something to show the little kids in Stapledon what they could do and what is possible. It doesn’t matter how small your neighborhood is or where you come from – as long as you work toward your goals, you could get there. It’s convenient to do the unveiling right now, because I’m home, but I really came for the CARIFTA Games. I haven’t been to a CARIFTA at home since I won the gold in 2013, so to be here for the 50th edition of CARIFTA coinciding with our 50th independence is special.”

President of Stapledon Neighborhood Watch group Jouette Smith said ever since they erected the first sign with Shaunae Miller-Uibo, it was always their intention to do the second one with Charlton. The Bahamian pocket rocket, known as ‘Sonic’, is the greatest hurdler in Bahamian history, bringing recognition to an area of track and field that previously wasn’t as popular as other events. Now, more and more Bahamian track and field athletes are taking on the barriers, both over the shorter and longer distances.

In addition to being an Olympic and World Championships finalist in the 100m hurdles, and world indoor silver medalist in the 60m hurdles, Charlton has also won silver at the Commonwealth Games, bronze at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) Track and Field Championships, and gold at the Pan American Junior and CAC Junior Track and Field Championships in the 100m hurdles.

She has personal best times of 7.81 seconds and 12.46 seconds in the 60m and 100m hurdles, respectively, and is the most accomplished and decorated hurdler in Bahamian track and field history.

“I’m just so happy for her and real proud,” said younger sister Anthaya who is turning heads as a sprinter and long jumper at the University of Kentucky this season – a star in her own right. “Knowing how hard she works, she deserves everything she has right now. I’m really proud of her.”

Both are home to watch the action at the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games, the older sister more so in an official capacity as she is a volunteer coach at Kentucky where younger sister Anthaya is a sophomore.

“I’m real happy to be home and excited to watch all of the CARIFTA athletes compete on home territory,” said younger sister Anthaya who missed out her final year of CARIFTA eligibility last year. “I miss the competitive atmosphere of CARIFTA real bad. I am so upset with myself for missing out on it last year and I’m ready this year. I just wish I had one more year. I am really proud of myself and excited for what the rest of the season holds for me. It’s crazy to watch the progression. I’m just really excited.”

Younger sister Anthaya recently ran a personal best of 11.13 seconds in the 100m, about a tenth of a second of what older sister Devynne ever ran.

“I’m the fastest sister … no doubt about that,” said Anthaya. “She’s too scared to line up against me right now.”

Be that as it may, in head-to-head matchups, older sister Devynne holds a competitive advantage, winning both of their battles so far. She has nothing but high praise for her younger sister though.

“To watch her progression is something special. On paper, she is faster, but I have a 2-0 record against her. I’m undefeated in that category,” she said.

Older sister Devynne is certainly the more accomplished hurdler and the moment belongs to her, saluting her for a fantastic career up to this point.

Bringing remarks at the unveiling ceremony yesterday was Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

“Let me thank the Stapledon Crime Watch group for recognizing one who would have grown in and come from out of the community,” said the minister. “Devynne is one of those athletes who would have gone through a lot. I have seen her grow over the years and now she is one of the exceptional athletes we have here in The Bahamas. I have a great desire of seeing her win a gold medal at the next Olympics. I know she is indeed capable of doing that. Come next year at the Olympics, I want to be right there with her when she receives her first Olympic gold medal.”

Both of the Charlton sisters will be trackside at the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games this Easter holiday weekend. Over 600 athletes are expected to compete in the junior regional athletics meet this weekend. The opening ceremony is set for Friday starting at 4 p.m. at the Thomas A. Robinson stadium, and competition gets underway on Saturday morning.

The opening ceremony and all morning sessions are free of charge.

Tickets for the evening sessions of CARIFTA can still be purchased online at www.carifta50.com or in person at the box office at the Thomas A. Robinson stadium. Daily rates start at $5 and go up to as high as $50 for the VIP section. There are also tickets available for all three days that start from $40 for the bronze section and go up to $130 for the VIP section.

 Home|Sports|Swim team captains keeping youngsters preparedSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailApril 6, 2023 135 4 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Every year, senior swimmers on The Bahamas’ team at the CARIFTA Swimming Championships look to help lead their team to victory. This year is no different as Keianna Moss, Jack Barr, Rhanishka Gibbs and Marvin Johnson were selected as captains for this year’s championship in Willemstad, Curaçao.

For Moss who has been with the team since 2018, she said that it is an amazing feeling to be named captain.

“I always looked up to the captains when I was younger. I always wanted to be a captain so now that I was selected for the role, it comes with a lot of responsibilities. I love having the team look up to me and leading the team,” Moss said.

Like Moss, Barr is in the last year of CARIFTA eligibility for him. He and Gibbs have been practicing with the team for about a month. He knows the importance of this year.

“It feels nice to be able to bring the team closer together and to organize everything and to ensure that everyone is putting in the work we need to ensure that we bring home the fifth victory. I make sure that everyone stays organized and in line. I also run stretches sometimes,” he said.

Gibbs and Johnson have one more year competing for The Bahamas at CARIFTA. Johnson has been with the team since 2018 and it has been a goal of his to be named team captain.

“When I was younger, I looked up to those older guys,” Johnson said. “Just the way that I knew they experienced it before me and the encouraging words they gave me to keep me focused and always encouraged me, I want to do to others. One of my biggest goals and what I want to do is to allow these younger guys to see me as someone they can come to and talk to. Let them know it’s okay to have nerves. I have been there before and the best way to get through it is to be with this team. We are a family, and everyone got each other’s back. We just have to be able to put all the training that we have done this year in the forefront and represent Team Bahamas.”

The team is attempting to bag its fifth straight CARIFTA title – a tough task. Gibbs was excited when she found out that she was selected as a team captain.

“We have been giving the others a lot of confidence and making sure that they are okay. We want to see them get ready to swim fast, especially the newcomers. It is a new experience for them, so we just want to make sure that they feel as comfortable as possible,” Gibbs said.

She does not feel any pressure as captain because she knows that the team is a very strong and fast one. The 16-year-old Queen’s College student-athlete knows that the team is going to do well.

Johnson, who attends McCallie School in Chatanooga, Tennessee, is one of the fastest freestyle swimmers at CARIFTA this year. He wants the younger ones to have a voice on the team too.

“In the group chats we have been having funny conversations and allowed persons to express themselves. We want them to speak and have fun and that it will get better over the course of time. I have gotten to know the younger guys and girls and allow them to not see me as just a big fast swimmer or big captain but to see me as someone who is also a Bahamian and go and represent with them,” Johnson said.

Moss, who just finished her freshman year swimming for McKendree University, has been working with the cheers, she said.

“The team is so new and fresh, a lot do not know the cheers. The whole team is here so we can now get real cheers going and get everyone to know the cheers,” she said.

Gibbs said that they have been working on the cheers and have a new one that they decided on, on the plane ride to Curaçao.

For most, if not all, of the swimmers who are not in the 15-17 age group, they have never swam at such a high level. Moss has represented The Bahamas at other high level international meets, and knows what it takes to compete at this level.

“For the younger ones, the biggest meet they competed in was The Bahamas Nationals and CARIFTA is more serious than nationals because they are representing their country. That is what I compare it to so they can know how it feels. They need to reset, hydrate and warm down properly,” Moss said.

The Bahamas is set to host the CARIFTA Swimming Championships in 2024 when it will be Johnson’s final CARIFTA. He wants the five-peat this year and then try and go for a sixth straight title at home.

“It would mean everything. Being on the team when we won over the last few years has been an amazing experience and now to be one of the guys who is leading the charge is going to be a dream. I want to assert that dominance over the rest of the Caribbean in swimming. I want to end it off with a bang in front of the home crowd,” he said.

The team is currently in Willemstad, Curaçao, and had their last practice yesterday. The first day of competition is today. Action gets underway this morning.

https://thenassauguardian.com/swim-team-captains-keeping-youngsters-prepared/