with Felix Neely and Ilaria Gervasini emerging as the overall champions in the men’s and ladies’ divisions.

#• Here’s a look at the official results:

#Open Male – 24 miles

#1st – Felix Neely – 1 hr.11mins.30 sec. 2nd – Barron Musgrove Jr – 1hr.11mins.32secs. 3rd – TJ Paul – 1 hr.11mins.53secs.

#Open Female – 24 miles

#1st – Ilaria Gervasini – 1 hr.25mins.34ses.

#Boys 15-17 years – 24 miles

#1st Enea Gervasini – 1hr.11mins.39 secs. 2nd – Brian Burrows – 1 hr.27mins.18secs.

#Boys 12- 14 years – 12 miles

#1st – Jayden Smith – 33mins.03secs. 2nd – Tristian Johnson – 36 mins.15secs. 3rd – Nathaniel Adderley – 46 mins.41secs. 4th – KJ Cargrill – 50 mins.10secs.

#Girls 12- 14 years – 6 miles

#1st – Taylor Knowles – 23mins.04 secs.

#Boys 9- 11yrs – 6 miles

#1st – Anthony Knowles Jr – 23 mins.05secs.

Competitors show off their hardware won in the the New Providence Cycling Association held its Back-To-School Cycling Classic on Sunday.

LADIES’ champion Ilaria Gervasini.

Winners, from left, are third place TJ Paul, runner-up Barron Musgrove Jr and winner Felix Neely.

Junior champion Enea Gervasini.

#

As of Tuesday, September 26, 2023

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Third baseman BJ Murray in action in this file photo.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#After sweeping the Chattanooga Lookouts in their best-of-three playoffs last week, Bahamian third baseman BJ Murray and the Tennessee Smokies moved one away from duplicating the feat in the Minor League Baseball’s Double A Southern League Championships.

#Murray and the Smokies, playing on their home field at the Smokies Stadum in Kodak, Tennessee on Sunday, doubled up the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 8-4 to snatch a 1-0 lead in the championship series. In that game, Murray went 2-for-4 with a run batted in (RBI) and scored a pair of runs for a .400 average.

#“It feels good to be in this position with my teammates and friends,” said Murray after the game. “We want to win and I think we showed that in game one.”

#With the team on the road travelling yesterday, they will prepare for game two of the series today at the Blue Wahoos Stadium in Pensacola, Florida. If necessary, the third and deciding game will take place on Wednesday again in Pensacola, Florida.

#“We’re going out there and going to play the same game we’ve played all year,” Murray said. “We are going to go out there, play hard, have fun and let the rest take care of itself.”

#In advancing to the championship, Murray and the Smokies swept the Chattanooga Lookouts 2-0 in their best-of-three playoff series last week. They won 5-1 in the clincher on Thursday, September 21 after taking game one 3-1 as they played both games on the road at the AT^T Park in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

#“It felt good,” said Murray about the sweep of their playoffs series. “We wanted to win in two games and we played like we did.”

#Batting second in the line-up, Murray went 0-for-3 with a walk, a strike out and a run batted in for a .333 average in game two on Thursday, September 21.

#He enjoyed a 2-for-3 outing with a walk, a RBI and a run scored for a .667 average in the opener on Tuesday, September 19.

#The 23-year-old 5-foot, 10-inch Murray Jr, who was drafted in round 15 with the 454th pick overall by the Cubs in the 2021 Major League Draft, has produced 452 at-bats with 119 hits, 16 home runs, 14 stolen bases, 74 RBI and 71 runs for an .263 average.

#“I’m feeling good about it. I still got a game, maybe two left to play, so I’ve got to keep it rolling,” said Murray about his individual stats. “I want to get better at everything so I’m going to work on every aspect of the game.”

#Murray, who played and won his first championship series last year in High-A, said he’s eager to see if he can duplicate the feat in his promotion to Double-A this year.

#“We got a good shot at winning and we all believe that, now we just have to go do that,” Murray summed up.

As of Tuesday, September 26, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AFTER hosting a successful inaugural event last year, the Bahamas Chinese Dragon Boat Association is looking forward to making the second annual Bahamas Dragon Boat Festival bigger and better.

#Association vice president Susie Chan said the two-day festival on Saturday and Sunday in Goodman’s Bay will be one for the crowd to attend as they watch the dragon boat races in the water as well as participate in the food, drinks and music on shore.

#“We expect a good turnout. We have close to 30 teams participating, four coming from the US and the rest of them are local teams,” Chan said.

#“We have some youth teams, we have the Immigration, Police and the Defence Force all coming on board.”

#Competition will begin on Saturday at 9am with the preliminary rounds in all divisions with the finals taking place on Sunday at the same time. The festival on Sunday will start at noon and will conclude with the awards presentation.

#Performances of lion dancing, kung fu masters in action, the breast cancer society presentation and special music by Stalette before a junkanoo rush out takes place with a kids corner filled with activities.

#The Dragon Boat Festival is known worldwide and now it’s fast becoming a popular event in the Bahamas.

#“There’s usually 14 people on the boat, including ten paddlers, a drummer and a steers person,” Chan said. “They go out and race and it’s all about unity and being in sync. You might be strong, but then you might be together. So it takes a lot of practice together and cooperation. Everybody is in one unison.

#“It’s been for breast cancer survivors, who use the sport as a way to bond with each other and to get some exercise. It’s a therapeutic sport in that aspect.”

#In an effort to foster a good relationship and encourage as many people to get involved, Chan noted that the Chinese Embassay provided all of the boats for the inaugural competition last year.

#“That turned out quite well, considering that it was the first time we sponsored that event,” Chan said. “Our executive committee is all made up of volunteers, who dedicate their time and even sometimes their monies to brace the gap between the Chinese and the Bahamian people.”

#Spectators from North America, Canada and other parts of the world have been here last year and Chan said they anticipate that the numbers will increase because of the tremendous success from last year.

#Last year, Chan said there were 23 teams entered and there’s expected to be at least 33 teams participating, including the juniors, armed forces and the corporate citizens.

#For more information, persons interested in participating in the event can WhatsApp 242-426-1001 or log onto www.bcoragonboat.com.

As of Tuesday, September 26, 2023

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#YOUNG Bahamian sailors from Nassau, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Abaco, Exuma, Long Island and Grand Bahama will compete in the Fidelity Bahamas Optimist Championships for the title of national optimist champion this coming weekend.

#The event will be held at the Nassau Yacht Club. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday from 6-8pm. Competition starts on Saturday at 9am and continues on Sunday at 10am. The dinner awards presentation will take place on Sunday from 5-7pm at the Nassau Yacht Club.

#Sailors from the United States as well as the Cayman Islands will also be competing in this international event being held in Montagu Bay. This will be the first Optimist class National Championships held since sailing became the official national sport of The Bahamas.

#Sponsors include title sponsor Fidelity Bank. Other important sponsors include J.S. Johnson and Campbell Shipping.

#Panama Jack, Shoreline Distributors, Aquapure, Thompson Trading and Home Fabrics are also on board to help ensure a successful event by donation of their products.

BAHAMIAN officials at CAC Bodybuilding Championships in Aruba.

As of Tuesday, September 26, 2023

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DORCAS Cox with her medals.

BRICESTON Anderson with his silver medal.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#DESPITE having some uncertainty about whether or not they will get to travel this year to the Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding Championships in Aruba, Bahamas Bodybuilding and Wellness Federation president Joel Stubbs said he was pleased with the 10-member team’s performance.

#The team, managed by Leonardo ‘Nardo’ Dean, produced a professional card with four gold, three silver and two bronze medals along with eight additional top six finishers for a total of 17 medals for a total of 125 points for seventh place.

#Costa Rica topped the field of 10 countries with 238 points, followed by Aruba with 194 and Mexico finished the top three with 155. But Stubbs said going up against such powerhouses, Team Bahamas stood its ground.

#“I am grateful once again to the almighty God for giving us the strength, courage and fortitude to perform to the best of our ability,” Stubbs said. “This performance speaks volumes to the success of our federation and the disciplined athletes within.”

#While Terrion Kemp led the way for Team Bahamas becoming the latest Bahamian to earn his pro card as the overall winner in the men’s physique, Stubbs said that all of our athletes made the finals in their respective categories.

#Former 100 metre hurdler Ivanique Kemp, who competed in the CAC Championships in athletics, made her debut on stage with a gold in the women’s wellness. Derica Thompson came out with the bronze and Andrecka Dames was fourth.

#Also, Briceston Anderson picked up a pair of silver in the men’s fitness and physique, both Judah Forbes and Ricardo Gibson were fifth in the men’s physique and assistant coach Jason Johnson, as a pro competitor, displayed his strength in the men’s fitness challenge where he placed fifth.

#Veteran Stephen Robinson got fourth in the men’s middleweight category after he got fifth in the men’s masters over 50 category and Grand Bahamian Orick Nesbitt also finished fourth in the men’s heavyweight to add to his sixth place earlier in the day in the men’s masters under 50 category heavyweight.

#Stubbs, however, thanked the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for serving as their major corporate sponsor, coming through just in the nick of time, at the eleventh hour, to make their trip possible.

#“I’m grateful that sponsorship arrived at the 11th hour, as we were uncertain about the entire team going on this mission,” said Stubbs, who wanted to make sure that history didn’t repeat itself after they failed to travel last year because of the lack of funding. “Nonetheless, we are determined to continue in the pursuit of excellence and greatness.”

#Stubbs, however, praised the commitment of the entire team for pulling it all together for the success of the Bahamas. “Thanks to our team manager, coaches and judges who contributed in their capacity and lastly, but most importantly, the athletes who represented the turquoise blue, black and gold during the two days of fierce battle,” Stubbs said. “The team returns in high spirits knowing that they have accomplished a mission set forth. We look forward to bigger, brighter and better things to come in 2024.”

#Team Bahamas is due home today and will start the preparation for next year’s championships that will be held in Guyana.

 Home|Sports|Bahamas women wrap up 2023 CONCACAF Nations League windowSports

Lose both games to Grenada, 6-1 and 4-1

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 27, 2023 36 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas senior women’s football national team wrapped up the first two-game window of the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League, on the road to the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) Women’s Gold Cup, with a 4-1 loss to Grenada on the road on Sunday. Head coach for The Bahamas, Ricquea Bain, saw some bright spots for The Bahamas in its first two games.

This is the first time in a very long time that The Bahamas fielded a senior women’s team in competitive matches. Bain said she likes how the foundation looks.

“We’ve gained our first two experience points. The team was able to have some great moments against a great team, so we know that we are building a strong foundation for our journey. We’re happy that we were able to score in both games, as Janeka Edey and Demitra McClure were able to score beautiful long-range goals, so we’re excited about our future as a team as we continue on this journey,” Bain said.

Sunday saw The Bahamas tieing the game 1-1 on an Edey goal at the Kirani James Stadium in St. George’s, Grenada. Nia Thompson from Grenada scored the lone goal for them in the first half. However, Grenada’s Melania Fullerton broke that tie with a goal in the 47th minute. Thompson added two more in that second half to complete her hat-trick.

“We started the first half without the first game jitters and more confident that we can stand up and play against a seasoned team like Grenada,” Bain said. “We were able to hold more possession and played better defensively in our second game. We pressed better defensively in Grenada and it led to us improving the scoreline. Unfortunately, we made four key mistakes that led to points on the board for Grenada.”

The Bahamas lost the first game 6-1 at home at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium last week Wednesday. The Bahamas has zero points in League C Group C with a 0-2 win/loss record. Grenada is at the top of the group with a 2-0 record. The US Virgin Islands is the only team in the group that has not played as yet.

Heading into the third game, which will be against the US Virgin Islands on Sunday, October 29 on the road, Bain and her staff are looking to fine-tune some tactical and technical details so they can play strong for 90 minutes. The team has some collegiate players who will be playing in their respective conference playoffs.

“Player availability will be tougher in October because of college conference playoffs, but we will be looking for other players to step up. We’ve received a few calls from players saying they will be available,” Bain said.

The team is enjoying some rest, but will resume training on Monday, October 2.

 Home|Sports|Volleyball player Donovan Wilmott heads to EuropeSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailSeptember 27, 2023 53 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian national volleyball team player Donovan Wilmott made the jump to the professional ranks when he signed a contract with Middlefart Volleyball Club, which plays in the Danish Volleyball League – the top league in Denmark.

Securing his first professional contract means a lot to him, especially knowing he has put in the hard work. He is already in Middlefart, Denmark, and his team will start its season on Saturday against ASV Elite.

“The hard work I put in definitely paid off,” Wilmott said. “All the people that came before me and paved the way for this opportunity, they all worked hard and it really means a lot. It also means that the guys that aren’t going to get that chance to go off and play as yet, will get to live vicariously through me. I’m not taking it lightly, it’s going to be a great experience and I’m really appreciative of it.”

Middlefart finished fourth out of 10 teams in the league last season. It sported a 10-8 win/loss record to finish with 29 points.

Wilmott, like he has done for Benedict College, will be looking to be a catalyst for Middlefart.

“I bring that fire wherever it may be, whether off the bench or as a starter. I am really the heart of whichever team I play for. So just giving the team some energy and that competitive spirit to be better than we were yesterday, that’s what I hope to bring to the team,” Wilmott said.

He is looking to contribute to his new team as the middle hitter. He looks up to Byron Ferguson, who played volleyball at the professional level.

“I spoke with Byron Ferguson and he was able to help me make the right decision for my future. After speaking to him, I thought about playing volleyball professionally, even if it’s only for a year or two; it would definitely be a great move. Ferguson is someone I look up to. He is very well respected in Europe and he was able to help guide me through the process,” Wilmott said.

The 29-year-old graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Benedict College, where he played alongside a few other Bahamians. That team finished with an 11-9 record and its season ended in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) semifinals.

Wilmott is looking to average at least three aces per game and two blocks per set.

 Home|Sports|Champions crowned in Flawless tennis tournamentSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 27, 2023 21 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Grand Bahama Tennis Association (GBTA) hosted its 2023 Flawless Construction Under-14 (U14) and Under-16 (U16) Junior Tournament in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

The tournament got underway on September 15 and wrapped up on September 17.

William McCartney successfully defended his U16 boys division title when he took down Patrick Mactaggart. McCartney was not done there, he and doubles partner Miguel Smith won the boys doubles. The duo got the best of Noah Russell and Isaiah Cambridge.

Jalisa Clarke successfully defended her U16 girls title when she won over Tatyana Madu in the finals. Clarke teamed up with Millie Beukes to win the girls doubles titles over Danielle Saunders and Caitlyn Pratt.

Like McCartney and Clarke, Beukes also won a singles title in the U14 girls division. Beukes dethroned Madu for the title.

The U14 boys National Champion Patrick Mactaggart was also in action in Grand Bahama. He won the U14 boys division after getting the best of Aiden Ritchie.

The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association congratulated the participants and winners, and the GBTA for hosting and organizing a successful tournament.

 Home|Sports|‘Jazz’, Marlins in final playoff pushSports

Team goes on the road for six games to end the season

Sheldon LongleySend an emailSeptember 26, 2023 76 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian Jasrado ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr. and the Miami Marlins are in the stretch run of their season, making one final push to get into the National League playoffs of Major League Baseball (MLB).

The Marlins have six games remaining, and whereas they don’t control their own destiny, they are just a game out of the third and final wild card position in the National League. The MLB regular season ends on Sunday.

As it stands now, the Marlins have an 81-75 win/loss record with six games to go. They are a game behind the Chicago Cubs and the Arizona  Diamondback  (both 82-74) for the third and final wild card spot in the National League playoff race.

The Marlins play all six of their remaining games in the regular season on the road – three against the New York Mets at Citi Field in Queens, New York, starting today, and three against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, over the weekend.

The Cubs play the National League East-winning Atlanta Braves and the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers, both on the road, to end their season, and the Diamondbacks travel to Chicago, Illinois, to play the Chicago White Sox and return home to host the Houston Astros to end their season.

The Marlins own the tiebreaker advantage against both teams, and just two of the three will get into the playoffs unless the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres or San Francisco Giants make a late push.

On Sunday, the Marlins prevented the Brewers from clinching the National League Central Division, winning 6-1, behind two home runs from Jon Berti and a three-hit game from Jorge Soler. Xavier Edwards stepped in for injured Miami infielder Luis Arráez, the major league batting leader at .353, and had three hits and two stolen bases.

“This is what you play for, meaningful games in September down the stretch,” said Berti. “We just have a really tight-knit group of guys here. It just makes that much more fun and we’re going to keep doing it.”

Chisholm is one of those guys. A week after his historic two grand slam tally in two days against the Atlanta Braves, Chisholm had his 20th multi-hit game of the season. He went 2-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored on Sunday. For the season, the Bahamian is batting .248 with 18 home runs and 47 runs scored. Chisholm has 22 stolen bases this season, one short of his career high in that department, and is just two home runs short of a 20-20 season. He has an on-base percentage of .299 and a slugging percentage of .451 for an on-base plus slugging percentage of .750.

The Bahamian star has been batting clean-up for the Marlins for much of the season and is hopeful of being one of the players to lead them into the playoffs. It will be particularly tough for the Marlins, battling down the stretch without some key pieces, including ace pitcher Sandy Alcántara, the defending National League Cy Young Award winner.

“We’ve talked about next man up for the majority of the year,” Marlins’ Manager Skip Schumaker said. “We’ve had a lot of injuries. Every team has a lot of injuries. It tests your depth and tests our staff’s belief in guys and just letting them know that we believe in them. I think there’s leadership in that clubhouse that helps that a lot. We don’t get to where we get to without that part of our clubhouse.”

The Marlins are looking to advance to the postseason for the second time in four years, following up on their appearance in the bubble in 2020. It would also be just the fourth time in the playoffs in their 31-year existence.

In two of those years, they advance all the way to the World Series, winning both times, in 1997 against the Cleveland Indians and in 2003 against the New York Yankees.

The Marlins finished 46-35 at home, up from 34-47 last year, and as mentioned, will end the regular season with three-game series at New York and Pittsburgh.

The Marlins will start left hand pitcher Braxton Garrett (9-6) on Tuesday against the Mets.

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 26, 2023 30 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association (NPPPSSA) recently hosted an impactful Generation Amazing (GA) workshop to provide training and equipment to enhance primary school sports programs across New Providence.

The full-day workshop, held at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, was attended by GA local facilitators Codisha Brown-Colebrook and Harold Romer, NPPPSSA President Latoya Sturrup, Ministry of Education Assistant Director of Education Dwayne Higgins and over 50 physical education teachers from Bahamian public primary schools.

Bahamas Football Association (BFA) Technical Director Bruce Swan presented a new format for the upcoming primary schools soccer tournament. The tournament will feature two age groups, under-10 and under-12, with games played over a four-week period. The 23 participating schools are grouped into north, south, east and west divisions, with three groups of six teams and one group of five. Matches will be played twice per week. The tournament kicks off on October 17.

The interactive workshop provided an in-depth overview of the GA methodology and how to incorporate social values into local school sports programs. GA facilitators demonstrated how to facilitate development through football and led hands-on practical sessions for attendees to experience it first-hand.

“This invaluable workshop provides our schools with the methodology, training and resources to strengthen sports programs and develop essential life skills in our students,” said NPPPSSA President Latoya Sturrup. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact in our community.”

The workshop is part of an ongoing partnership between the BFA and GA to provide comprehensive coach education and implement impactful youth football programs across The Bahamas.

The BFA and GA will continue collaborating to expand training and provide ongoing support for local coaches and sports programs. The workshop marked an important step in empowering primary schools to leverage sports for youth development.

 Home|Sports|BFA, NPPPSSA team up to empower primary schoolsSports

BFA, NPPPSSA team up to empower primary schools

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 26, 2023 30 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association (NPPPSSA) recently hosted an impactful Generation Amazing (GA) workshop to provide training and equipment to enhance primary school sports programs across New Providence.

The full-day workshop, held at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, was attended by GA local facilitators Codisha Brown-Colebrook and Harold Romer, NPPPSSA President Latoya Sturrup, Ministry of Education Assistant Director of Education Dwayne Higgins and over 50 physical education teachers from Bahamian public primary schools.

Bahamas Football Association (BFA) Technical Director Bruce Swan presented a new format for the upcoming primary schools soccer tournament. The tournament will feature two age groups, under-10 and under-12, with games played over a four-week period. The 23 participating schools are grouped into north, south, east and west divisions, with three groups of six teams and one group of five. Matches will be played twice per week. The tournament kicks off on October 17.

The interactive workshop provided an in-depth overview of the GA methodology and how to incorporate social values into local school sports programs. GA facilitators demonstrated how to facilitate development through football and led hands-on practical sessions for attendees to experience it first-hand.

“This invaluable workshop provides our schools with the methodology, training and resources to strengthen sports programs and develop essential life skills in our students,” said NPPPSSA President Latoya Sturrup. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact in our community.”

The workshop is part of an ongoing partnership between the BFA and GA to provide comprehensive coach education and implement impactful youth football programs across The Bahamas.

The BFA and GA will continue collaborating to expand training and provide ongoing support for local coaches and sports programs. The workshop marked an important step in empowering primary schools to leverage sports for youth development.