As of Tuesday, May 2, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE Bahamas Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL) hosted the spring football clinic on April 22 and 29. The clinic was opened to kids ages 6-17.

#This year’s hosting of the event featured the largest number of participants ever registered with 180.

#The programme was initially opened for only 150 participants due to limited space, however, after the influx of registrants, organisers allowed for more.

#Jayson Clarke, programme director, talked about how he felt about the two-weekend flag football event.

#“The clinic went exceptionally well. One of the highlights for me was that a lot of kids that competed in our high school tournament ventured to the clinic which means that there is a genuine interest in the sport itself,” Clarke said.

#After hosting this year’s first high school flag football tournament at the beginning of April, the BYFFL looked to build off the kids’ excitement.

#The clinic focused on skills such as quarterbacking, learning how to catch, how to run routes, learning how to be a defensive back, and how to increase speed in footwork.

#The largest age group at this year’s event was the 12-15 division.

#“It is by far the largest clinic that we have hosted personally so [I] am definitely happy about that because it definitely tells us that we are doing some things right in terms of getting the message out there about youth flag [football] and what we are doing,” Clarke added.

#The programme director also noted that following their appearances at last month’s flag football high school tourney St John’s College and Kingsway Academy will be the first to receive their flag football equipment in two to three weeks. The event was geared towards raising funds to purchase the flag football equipment needed to integrate the new sport into the schools’ curriculum. The league will present the equipment as well as the winner’s trophy to Kingsway Academy after they were crowned the first over 14 champions. Additionally, the under 14 champions of St Augustine’s College will also receive a championship presentation in their honor.

#BYFFL will look to continue their work on the field as their next event will be a flag football training camp that will include National Football League (NFL) players on June 24.

#Additionally, for the entire month of July, persons can look forward to joining BYFFL’s summer camp which will be in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture (MOYSC).

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/may/02/byffl-hosts-its-largest-spring-football-clinic/?news

Sherman ‘the Tank’ Williams flanked by a group of enthusiastic promoters and volunteers.

As of Tuesday, May 2, 2023

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PROFESSIONAL boxer Sherman ‘The Tank’ Williams is expected to be honoured by the Real Fun Entertainment Incorporated for his contribution to the development of amateur boxing in Melbourne, Florida.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#SHERMAN ‘The Tank’ Williams, who is still actively pursuing his professional boxing career, will be honoured by the Real Fun Entertainment Incorporated for his contribution to the development of amateur boxing in Melbourne, Florida.

#Dubbed “The Battle of Novice,” the event will take place on Saturday, June 17 and Williams is encouraging the local boxing fraternity to travel to Florida to get some of their amateur boxers involved in the show.

#Williams, a native of Grand Bahama now residing in Florida, will be honoured along with Antonio Tarver, former world light heavyweight champion and Winkie Wright, former world light middleweight champion.

#Williams, who is gearing up for his next pro fight in June in New Zealand, said he’s delighted that he is being recognised for the role he’s playing as a coach with the Police Athletics League as a certified US coach.

#“This past Saturday, I was honoured with two other fighters from Puerto Rico as legends and future legends in Port St Lucie, Florida,” Williams said. “I had about eight fighters who I train compete in the event and we got six victories.

#“The next tournament is going to be held in Melbourne, Florida where they will be honouring me again. Hopefully we can get some of the amateur boxers from New Providence, Grand Bahama and Bimini to come over and participate because Melbourne, Florida is so close to the Bahamas.”

#While he has heard so much talk about bringing boxing back in the country, Williams said this is one avenue for the amateur boxing federation to take a step in that direction as there are persons in Florida who are willing to assist the local amateur boxing programme.

#“I tried two promotions in 2018 and 2019 with the same national pride to set the stage for our local fighters,” Williams said. “I think we need to do more of that, but most importantly focus on amateurs because if there’s no stable, there’s no future for professionals.”

#Williams said he’s eager to assist any local fighter who wants to be a part of the show. He noted that the promoters will be willing to provide lodging for the boxers as they are doing for the boxers coming in from Puerto Rico, Mexico and the state of Florida.

#“The remedy here is working as we’ve seen a turnaround in some of our drastic youth in Florida,” Williams said. “I think we’ve been doing things backward for too long and if there is anything I can do to help, by all means I am willing to do so.”

#Journeyman Williams, with a 45-15-2 win-loss-draw record, remembered how he was treated to a motorcade in Key West, Florida, after he won the World Boxing Organisation’s Asian Pacific heavyweight title over Chauncy Welliver in 2012. Williams is currently a honorary citizen of Key West, Key Largo, Melbourne and Port St Lucie, Florida.

#“So it’s an honour and privilege to be recognised in a country where I wasn’t born. I am happy that I can help some of these young boys to become young men and to help them to make their lives better by putting God first and making some life-changing decisions.”

#Williams, however, said he’s disturbed by reading the national headlines in the Bahamas where so many young men are reportedly killing each other.

#He noted that the murder rate in the Bahamas is at a higher percentage than it is in Florida.

#Citing one of those recent cases where promising rising boxer Tyrone Oliver Jr and his brother Shakuar Oliver were killed, Williams noted how he was able to showcase Oliver Jr on the two Bahamas Sons Promotions held in Grand Bahama in 2018 and New Providence.

#“My respect and condolences go out to his family,” he stated. “I tried and created a platform that he was able to benefit from. He was a young man with a lot of promise, but there’s a lot of distractions out there and a lot of hatred and violence.

#“We just have to focus on the ones who are here and hope that we can save some of them.

#“I think we have more good kids than we have bad kids. We just need more direction in their lives.

#“It doesn’t have to be boxing, but we can do it in athletics, softball, baseball, basketball and some of the other sporting disciplines,” he stated.

#Williams also expressed his condolences to the family of the late Ray Minus Jr, who passed away last week in Princess Margaret Hospital at the age of 58 after suffering from Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).

#“Ray Minus Jr was a great boxer, a great athlete but, most importantly, he was an excellent man and a great human being,” Williams said. “He was very humble, friendly and he always had a big smile on his face whether he was happy or sad.

#“As an amateur, I got to know Ray when I competed for Grand Bahama in the first Bahamas Games and I beat up on some of the boxers he coached from New Providence,” Williams said.

#“I last saw him when he came to Grand Bahama for the professional boxing show we put on there. He came with Tyrone Oliver and his coach Ron Rodgers.

#“Just to see him deteriorate slowly with ASL was really sad to see. He’s gone, but not forgotten.

#“He’s one of the greatest pugilists to come out of the Bahamas. May his soul rest in peace.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/may/02/sherman-tank-williams-be-honoured/?news

Members of BTC sales team were in Exuma last weekend to offer various services to residents and visitors.

As of Tuesday, May 2, 2023

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#BTC officially kicked off its support of the National Family Island Regatta with a $10,000 sponsorship of Exuma’s 67th regatta held April 18-22 in George Town.

#And as thousands flocked to Elizabeth Harbour to watch the exciting sailing action, BTC made its presence felt on the ground, offering many deals for existing and prospective customers while touting the benefits of its broadband services.

#“BTC has been a longtime sponsor of the National Family Island Regatta, and we are grateful and happy that BTC has partnered again with us this year,” said Danny Strachan, chairman and commodore of the National Family Island Regatta.

#Strachan said BTC was also a part of history in the making as the government used the platform of last week’s regatta to officially announce sailing as the country’s national sport on Friday, April 21.

#According to Strachan, last week’s regatta in Exuma was dubbed as “the largest ever held,” with more than 80 boats participating in various sailing categories.

#“Also, if anyone had the opportunity to visit the site, one would get the impression that BTC was sponsoring the entire event as they had a very large presence on the ground,” Strachan said, adding that the regatta was also a tremendous economic boost for the island and for various vendors on site, including BTC.

#BTC held a major presence in George Town with tent space at the regatta site, featuring BTC-branded flags and banners.

#The company partnered with ZNS TV & Radio as well as Exuma’s 98.3 The Blaze to promote special regatta plans.

#A special invitation was also given to BTC to have its representatives attend the exclusive Skipper’s party.

#Persons attending the regatta had the opportunity to purchase devices and mobile plans at special prices.

#BTC’s CEO Sameer Bhatti said the National Family Island regatta in George Town, Exuma is the country’s largest.

#Hence, it was only fitting for BTC to serve as a sponsor.

#“Regattas are national events on the Bahamian social calendar, and a big part of our culture.

#“So having our presence felt on the ground in Exuma as the largest telecoms operator in The Bahamas was important to us,” Bhatti said.

#He continued: “Having sponsored the Exuma regatta for many years, our presence in Exuma last week gave us the opportunity to deepen and strengthen our connection with residents and forge new relationships as we continue to rollout fiber on the island.”

#Thus far, fiber has been installed in George Town, Bahama Sound 11, 14 & 18; Forest, Farmer’s Hill, Staniel Cay and Black Point.

#Fiber to the home will ultimately replace BTC’s copper network and allow users to experience a more robust service with faster internet speeds of up to 1gig, more broadband, and a higher capability to stream.

#Persons visiting the George Town Park in Exuma are also able to utilise the free BTC-powered Wi-Fi that was installed last August in conjunction with BTC’s partnership with the government and its ParkConnect initiative.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/may/02/btc-makes-its-presence-felt-exuma-national-family-/?news

 Home|Sports|Smith is leading junior jumper at Lexington Spring PremiereSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailMay 4, 2023 181 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian rider Kacy Lyn Smith had a stellar showing at the Lexington Spring Premiere in Lexington, Virginia, last weekend, riding her two horses, Chicago M. and Costbar 2, to multiple high placings. She was also named as the Overall Leading Junior Jumper of the competition.

The Lexington Spring Premiere heralds the opening of the Virginia Horse Center’s annual Festival of Champions in Lexington, and the beginning of the equestrian show season in the mid-Atlantic area.

Riding Chicago M., Smith won the Medium/High Junior Amateur Jumper Class on the first day of competition, and after multiple high placings over the remainder of the weekend, the pair finished as reserve champions in the 1.30m Medium/High Junior Jumper Division. Smith also had successful rounds with her young horse Costbar 2 in the 1.20m Low Juniors Division, including riding a double clear round for fourth place one class and placing sixth in the Speed Class. Overall, her performances with both horses earned her the title of Leading Junior Jumper at the competition.

Last year, Smith and Chicago M. made history as the first duo to represent The Bahamas at the FEI (International Federation for Equestrian Sports) North American Youth Jumping Championships in Traverse City, Michigan. This year, the pair has qualified to represent The Bahamas in individual jumping once again, this time at a higher level, moving up from the Pre-Juniors to the Junior Division.

https://thenassauguardian.com/smith-is-leading-junior-jumper-at-lexington-spring-premiere/

 Home|Sports|BADC pleased with testing process at CARIFTA GamesSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailMay 4, 2023 161 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The 50th CARIFTA Games is behind us, and life is back to normal … for the most part.

During the hustle and bustle of the event over the Easter holiday weekend, the Bahamas Anti-Doping Commission (BADC) was busy ensuring the integrity of the meet by testing athletes for banned substances. According to BADC Executive Director Petra Haven, the testing part of the process was smooth.

BADC engaged sample collectors and results management authority. Haven didn’t release a report, but said they are awaiting results from the samples that were examined at the CARIFTA Games. Before CARIFTA, BADC was the anti-doping authority at the Bahamas National High School Track and Field Championships and CARIFTA Trials at the end of March.

“Like any other testing mission, we were able to complete everything successfully with no issues,” Haven said. “We would have had an anti-doping educational talk with our national team prior to, so I know for sure our Bahamians understood that testing was happening. All the other teams were advised that testing would be happening as usual, so this was no different than any other event that we would host nationally. The only difference is we would have tested pretty much all the teams.”

Haven said once they get the results, they will publish them. The results from those samples can take between 14-21 days, or longer, to be processed. The samples were sent to a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited lab in Canada. Haven noted that they are unable to discuss any pending cases, if there are any, until an athlete outright admits, or their disciplinary hearings are completed.

Haven commended her team for making the athletes and athlete representatives comfortable during the testing process as some of the athletes were being tested for a first time.

“We use our testing almost like an educational session as well, so we walk the athletes or their representatives through each step, so that they could become more comfortable with the process,” Haven said. “There were some first-timers and I think as we all know, there would be some sort of nerves because you must now conduct this test in front of somebody, whether it’s your first time or second time. There were nerves, but we have a way of being able to talk to our athletes and let them be comfortable with the process, so they understand what’s happening, how it’s going to happen, how long it’s going to take. I think the most nerve-racking part is not being able to urinate right away, so we have to wait up to an hour or more sometimes for it to pass.”

Next up for BADC is the Bahamas Triathlon Association National Championships this weekend, then after that is the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) Beach Soccer Championships set for next week. They will also be working the CARIFTA triathlon that will be hosted here in The Bahamas in August. They will also be testing athletes prior to them traveling to the World Athletics Outdoor Championships set for August 19-27 in Budapest, Hungary.

https://thenassauguardian.com/badc-pleased-with-testing-process-at-carifta-games/

 Home|Sports|Ayton, Suns in 0-2 holeSports

Bahamian big man is averaging 14 points and 7.5 rebounds in the series

Simba FrenchSend an emailMay 3, 2023 221 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian center DeAndre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns appeared to be on the verge of stealing a game against the top-seeded Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals of the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs, but they ran out of steam in the final quarter of game two, losing 97-87 on Monday night. The win put the Suns down 0-2 in the best-of-seven series.

Ayton scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 33 minutes of play at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. He made a blistering 7-for-10 shots from the field, but battled foul trouble for most of the third quarter and into the fourth. He finished the game with five fouls.

The Nuggets outscored the Suns 27-14 in the fourth quarter to defend their home court and maintain the homecourt advantage. 

The Suns went into the fourth quarter with a 73-70 lead, and without one of their leaders, Chris Paul, who left the game in the third quarter with a groin injury. That lead withered away at the start of the fourth quarter as the Nuggets opened that quarter on an 8-0 scoring run that ended at the 8:24 mark. They led 78-73 at that point in the game.

Ayton made a slam dunk at the 4:56 mark in that quarter to bring them to within three points, 84-81. That three-point lead quickly stretched into a 10-point lead as the Nuggets went on a 7-0 run to lead 91-81 with a little over two minutes left in the game. The Suns could not cut into that deficit as the Nuggets made their free throw shots down the stretch to seal the win. 

The Suns were led by guard Devin Booker with 35 points. Ayton’s matchup counterpart Nikola Jokic came away with a game-high 39 points.

The Bahamian missed his first shot of the game in the first quarter but was able to end the quarter making his next three field goals to finish that quarter with six points. The Suns led after that opening period, 21-18. Ayton ended the first half with 10 points and six rebounds and was the Suns’ second leading scorer in the first half.

Playing against Jokic, one of the candidates for the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), has Ayton working hard in this series. Ayton is averaging 14 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and shooting 66.7 percent in the two games. He is a key part of giving his Suns a better chance at winning and will look to make an impact in the third game.

The series swings home for Ayton and the Suns as they head to the Footprint Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, for a pivotal game three on Friday. They will look to avoid going down 0-3. The third game of the series starts at 10 p.m. on Friday and will be televised on ESPN.

https://thenassauguardian.com/ayton-suns-in-0-2-hole/

 Home|Sports|Russell coming home for New Life this SaturdaySports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailMay 3, 2023 525 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian Alonzo Russell has been blazing a new trail this season, establishing himself as a force to reckon with in the men’s 400 meters (m) worldwide, and now he’s coming home to compete.

The Grand Bahamian athlete is set to run in his specialty, the men’s 400m, at the 2nd NACAC (North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association) New Life Invitational which will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, May 13 at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Russell has already run under 45 seconds twice this season – becoming the 10th Bahamian all-time to accomplish that feat. At his last race, at the Tom Jones Memorial Classic at the Percy Beard Track in Gainesville, Florida, a few weekends ago, Russell won in a stunning personal best time of 44.73 seconds. With that time, he tied former national record holder Troy McIntosh and LaToy Williams for the fifth-fastest in Bahamian history. The weekend before he ran that blazing time, Russell clocked 44.93 seconds at the Miramar Invitational at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida, going under 45 seconds for the first time in his career.

The Bahamian quarter-miler is looking to go even faster at home, making inroads in what is turning out to be a breakout season for him. He is at number nine on World Athletics’ top performance list for 2023.

A few other stars who have confirmed attendance at the New Life Invitational are American quarter-miler Trevor Stewart, and Jamaican sprinters Tyquendo Tracey and Ackeem Blake. Overall, about 100 of the region’s elite stars are expected to be in the nation’s second city for the NACAC New Life Invitational this coming Saturday. Without releasing much information, Meet Director Demarius Cash said they have four sub-10-second male 100m runners and two sub-11 female 100m runners confirmed to compete. So far, indications from the organizers are that there has been great interest shown by athletes of the NACAC area.

The local organizing committee has been busy reaching out to agents of athletes from the region to ensure an array of high-quality athletes at the show.

The first NACA New Life Invitational took place in Miramar, Florida, in the summer of 2021.

The event is part of the plan of NACAC Athletics to facilitate an annual circuit of competitions with cash prizes, between the end of March and the second week of June, each year, aimed at providing opportunities for athletes from the area to compete right here in the region, before going on to Europe and other international competitions.

As the athletes prepare for the world championships, scheduled for August 19-27 in Budapest, Hungary, the New Life Invitational will afford them an early opportunity to showcase their skills and also qualify for the world championships if they have not already done so.

The 2nd NACAC New Life Invitational is a World Athletics Continental Tour (WACT) Silver Level meet where athletes will have an opportunity to post qualifying times and distances, gain world ranking points, and compete for their share of the $75,000 prize money. The level of talent on display is expected to rival that of any of the top meets in the United States and on this side of the world.

The one-day athletics meet is sanctioned by the local governing body of the sport of athletics in the country, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), and it will be arguably the most anticipated track and field meet on Grand Bahama this year.

https://thenassauguardian.com/russell-coming-home-for-new-life-this-saturday/

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 Home|Sports|Windsor rowing brings home a gold and a silverSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailMay 3, 2023 371 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Windsor High School rowing team spent last weekend in Fairfax Station, Virginia, where they were able to bring home a gold and silver medal from the Al Urquia Regatta. 

Securing a gold medal for Windsor was the men’s novice 4+ team. Men’s singles rower Isaiah Ellis won a silver. The women’s novice 4+ was fourth. 

The 10-member team that featured five boys and five girls was a part of a field of 36 clubs and 246 individual entries that braved the Occoquan Reservoir for 1500 meters (m) in cold and wet conditions.

The men’s team was represented by Malcolm Menzies (bow seat), Ellis (coxswain), Sandor Bianchi (stroke), Andre Forbes (second seat) and Jake Young (third seat). The females consisted of Emma Johnston (bow seat), Emma Reynolds (third seat), Priya Alexander (stroke), Alessandra Callender (second seat) and Skye Miller (coxswain).

The team was coached by three-time Olympian Rob Gibson.

“An impressive and exciting weekend for our rowers who travelled to Fairfax, Virginia, to compete in the Al Urquia Regatta. This was a significant step forward for our program in only its second year. Congratulations to our rowers for stepping up to a big challenge,” Gibson said.

Windsor men’s team clocked a time of 6:13.30 to secure the gold medal rowing out of lane two. Placing third was St. John’s College High School out of the United States of America with a time of 6:35.40. Fairfax High School clocked 6:42.90 to finish third. 

Ellis powered his way to a silver medal in 6:43.70, rowing out of lane five. Winning that race was Thomas Lambert from Western Albemarle High School in Crozet, Virginia. Lincoln Thompson from Albermarle High School was third in a time of 7:04.40.

The women’s team was fourth in a time of 7:23.20. Winning that race was Madison High School out of Vienna, Virginia, with a time of 6:11.50. 

The regatta has been running since 1997.

https://thenassauguardian.com/windsor-rowing-brings-home-a-gold-and-a-silver/

 Home|Sports|Soccer high school nationals returnsSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailMay 4, 2023 170 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

After a three-year year hiatus, due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Samuel P. Haven Jr. National High School Soccer Championships are back and will be held in five match day windows between May 19-27 on Grand Bahama and New Providence. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training’s building.

The tournament will be staged by the ministry’s sports unit in conjunction with the Bahamas Football Association (BFA), the National Sports Secretariat and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

The tournament will encompass 16 teams – eight boys and eight girls squads battling to be crowned national champions in their respective divisions. There will be a Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy awarded in both divisions.

Senior Sports Officer at the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training Evon Wisdom thanked the BFA for their support in ensuring that the tournament returned.

“We are extremely proud of the work that the BFA has done, and we look at this as a model for the future where the associations play a more active role in the decision-making and organization of the events,” Wisdom said. “As per normal, the BFA is one of the first ones to do so.”

Wisdom added that funding for the tournament was covered mostly by the BFA.

BFA President Anton Sealy said they are happy to bring back the tournament.

“We’ve had a three-year hiatus, and that was due to COVID, and we’ve been, as with most sports, slow in coming back around. We’re back and we’re back in a big way,” Sealy said. “We are very excited to once again host this tournament. The tournament will have participation from the three major islands. Our main goal is to ensure that as we put on future tournaments and championships, that we will incorporate more islands, but this edition we have is for Abaco, Grand Bahama and New Providence.”

The school leagues that will be represented are the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS), the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA), the Grand Bahama Secondary Schools Sports Association (GBSSSA) and the Abaco School Sports Association (ASSA). The GSSSA and GBSSSA soccer seasons are still ongoing.

The format is a single-elimination. The first match day is slated for Friday, May 19 in Freeport, Grand Bahama, when Abaco’s Patrick J. Bethel School boys and girls face the winner of the GBSSSA championships.

The second match day is set for Monday, May 22 on New Providence. The boys will play on that day with the winner from BAISS, Lyford Cay International School, taking on the third-place GSSSA team. The GSSSA winner will play the BAISS third-place team, St. Anne’s School. The final match of that day will pit the BAISS second-place team, St. Andrew’s International School, against the GSSSA second-place team.

The third match day is set for Tuesday, May 23 on New Providence. The girls will take to the field on that day. The first match will feature the winner from the BAISS, Queen’s College, going up against the third-place GSSSA team. The GSSSA winner will play the BAISS third-place team, St. Augustine’s College. The final match of that day will pit the BAISS second-place team, Lyford Cay International School, against the GSSSA second-place team.

Match day four, which is the semifinals, is set for Friday, May 26. The finals, which will be on match day five, is set for Saturday, May 27.

The boys will play two 40-minute halves while the girls will play two 35-minute halves.

Lionel Haven, who is no stranger to sport and is the brother of the late Sam Haven, was on hand to speak on behalf of the Haven family.

“This event gives the opportunity for Sam’s legacy to live on, so I’m very pleased,” Haven said. “I know the family is quite pleased about this event and we’ve shown up in great numbers at previous events. We intend to show up in great numbers at this upcoming event. Even if it’s in Freeport, we will make sure that we are present to ensure that we support what the BFA is doing to support his legacy.”

President of GSSSA Varel Davis and convener for soccer in the BAISS Yiorgo Coyle were also in attendance at the press conference. They said they are excited to see the tournament make its return. Both expect one of their member schools to come out as victors.

Sealy said that the excitement from the 2019 competition is still there as persons were looking forward to it after the three-year break. He is urging persons to come out and support their schools and alma mater or just come out and support the youth.

https://thenassauguardian.com/soccer-high-school-nationals-returns/

 Home|Sports|Bahamian judo athletes excel in qualifiersSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailMay 5, 2023 103 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian judo athletes Daniel Strachan (90 kg.), Alexander Strachan (100 kg.) and Xavion Johnson (66 kg.) recently competed in two major tournaments. They were coached by Oneysi Portorreal-Pons, a former national champion of Cuba.

“We had different goals for each team member. Daniel and Alexander, age 20, were trying to qualify for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and gain some Olympic points for the Pan American Games while Xavion, who is only 16 and still a cadet, was testing the waters to see if he was ready for an Olympic run,” said D’Arcy Rahming Sr., president of the Bahamas Judo Federation (BJF).

Both of the Strachans have unofficially qualified for the CAC Games. Daniel finished fifth in the 90 kilogram (kg.) class, winning against Axel Garcia of Honduras after losing in the opening round to multiple medalist Carlos Paez from Venezuela. Alexander finished fifth in the 100 kg. class after he received two byes before losing to Dave Thomas of Jamaica. Xavion lost to multiple Pan Am Open medalist Ulises Mendez, a 21 year old from Mexico.

“We were very pleased with their results, keeping in mind this is the first time in a CAC trials. To have two athletes qualify is amazing. The only way to get experience is to get the time on the mat. In both tournaments, our athletes were competitive. Even in the matches that we lost we were able to fight several exchanges, block our opponents throws and off balance or throw our opponents. There were also some controversial calls that did not go our way.” said Rahming.

In the Olympic and Pan American qualifier, Daniel lost to Gualin Guillamme, of Canada, but gained a 35th ranking in the region from points gained from competing. Alexander gained a 22nd place ranking by defeating Pinal Lorenzo of the Dominican Republic while Xavion gained a 51st ranking by means of participating in such a high-level tournament. He lost, albeit with a strong performance against Josue Tellez of Costa Rica after several quality exchanges.

“We are looking forward to winning medals at the CAC Games. Our intention is to get in another tournament before then to get some more experience,” said Rahming.

Persons wishing to contact Bahamas Judo can do so at the e-mail address Daishihan@gmail.com.

https://thenassauguardian.com/bahamian-judo-athletes-excel-in-qualifiers/