BASKETBALL PLAYER TO BEGIN HIS CAREER IN SPAIN’S LEB GOLD LEAGUE

As of Thursday, July 14, 2022

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QYEMAH Gibson has signed with Palmer Almer Mediterranea Palma for the upcoming season in Spain’s LEB Gold League.

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#QYEMAH Gibson will take his talents to professional basketball and will begin his career in Spain’s LEB Gold League.

#Gibson has signed with Palmer Almer Mediterranea Palma for the upcoming 2022-23 season.

#Palma head coach Pau Tomas said he expects Gibson to have an immediate impact on the programme once he joins the club.

#“Qyemah is here to be one of our offensive references, a player with a lot of points in his hands, capable of scoring from catch-and-shoots and from bounces.” he said. “He comes to add to the team and contribute his grain of sand both in attack and defence. I am convinced that he is going to be one of the players to follow in this LEB Plata.”

#The 6’5” wing recently completed an accolade-filled career with the St Mary’s Huskies in Canada’s Atlantic University Sport Conference.

#The Liga Española de Baloncesto, also known as LEB Gold, is the second basketball division of the Spanish basketball league system after the Liga ACB. The Liga Española de Baloncesto is divided into two categories (alongside LEB Silver).

#The LEB league was founded in 1996 and is played under FIBA rules.

#The league is contested by 18 clubs. Each season, the top-finishing team in the LEB Oro are automatically promoted to the Liga ACB.

#The teams that finish the season in 2nd to 9th place enter a playoff tournament, with the winner also gaining promotion to the Liga ACB. The three lowest-finishing teams in the LEB Oro are relegated to LEB Plata.

#In his final season with the Huskies, Gibson won the Male Athlete of the Week award and was ranked top 10 in the AUS in points scored, points per game, field goals made, three-pointers made, total rebounds, rebounds per game, blocks, minutes and minutes per game.

#In his final collegiate season, he averaged 19.2 points and grabbed 7.9 rebounds per game.

#Gibson was a role player in his first year with the Huskies and averaged 5.9 points with 2.5 rebounds per game in 20 appearances off the bench.

#In his second season in the 2019-20 season, Gibson took on a larger role and started all 20 games, averaging 15.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.

#The COVID-19 pandemic cancelled what would have been his third season with the Huskies but a strong finish for 2022 set him on the path for the professional ranks. Gibson was recruited to St Mary’s by former Huskies and current Niagara Prep coach Ollen Smith.

#Smith’s Ontario, Canada-based Empower Sports Network hosted tryouts as a part of its exchange programme in 2018.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/14/qyemah-gibson-goes-professional/?news

Steven Gardiner

As of Wednesday, July 13, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Head coach Rupert Gardiner said it was devastating when he got the news that Steven ‘Speedy Stevie’ Gardiner will not be able to travel this week to Eugene, Oregon with Team Bahamas for the World Athletics’ 2022 World Championships.

#Not only was Gardiner – no direct relationship to Gardiner the team manager – to defend his title in the men’s 400 metres, but the Abaco native was also expected to play a pivotal role on the Bahamas’ mixed relay 4 x 400m relay team.

#“It wasn’t the type of news that we expected when we heard that he wasn’t going to travel,” said Gardiner, who along with some members of Team Bahamas were on their way to Oregon yesterday. “We didn’t expect to hear that kind of news.”

#Gardiner, the 26-year-old athlete, announced on his Instagram page on Monday that he will have to skip the World Championships, scheduled for July 15-24, because of UTE tendon inflammation to his right foot. He won the World Championship title in 2019 in Doha, Qatar and was coming off his gold medal performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics held last year in Japan.

#More importantly, manager Gardiner said they were looking to reunite the athlete Gardiner with two-time Olympic gold medallist Shaunae Miller- Uibo as the centrepieces of the Bahamas team in the mixed relay.

#“If he was there and he ran with Shaunae, we were looking for the team to go after the world record,” manager Gardiner said. “We would have had the two best quarter-milers in the world on the men and women side and all we had to do was add two more competitors to go along with them.”

#Grand Bahamian Alonzo Russell, Bradley Dormeus, Wayna McCoy, Anthonique Strachan, Megan Moss, Doneisha Anderson, Javonya Valcourt and Janae Ambrose are the others in the pool that manager Gardiner and the rest of the team personnel would have relied on to compete with the athlete Gardiner and Miller-Uibo.

#“We will miss him because he would have brought so much to the team,” the manager Gardiner said. “But we’re confident that with the team we have, the Bahamas will still have a credible team to compete for a medal.

#“We will have to put a lot of the focus on Shaunae, but we feel we have some athletes on the team who are capable of giving the Bahamas a legitimate shot at a medal. With Stevie, we would have been assured of the gold.”

#The athlete Gardiner and Miller-Uibo teamed up with Strachan and Grand Bahamian Michael Mathieu to secure the mixed relay gold medal at the World Relays in 2017, the last time World Athletics staged the event in the Bahamas at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

#Miller-Uibo, who is listed to compete in the both the 200 and 400m at the championships, is also in the women’s 4 x 400m relay pool with Strachan, Moss, Anderson, Valcourt and Ambrose. “We’re on our way to Eugene and once we have assembled the team, we will take a look at what our situation will be for the championships,” manager Gardiner said.

#“Obviously, we will have to make some adjustments to the team, but we won’t be able to deal with it until we have everybody in place. We just have to wait and see how everybody looks and feels when we get there, but we will definitely miss Stevie.”

#The athlete Gardiner continued in his tweet that he will now focus on getting the necessary treatment so that he can be 100 percent.

#“To the people of the Bahamas, my sponsors and my fans around the world, I’m sorry I won’t be able to compete,” Gardiner continued on social media. “I wish my rivals good health and the very best. Thanks for the support.”

#Manager Gardiner said they are wishing Gardiner a speedy recovery.

#Gardiner will also skip the Commonwealth Games, which will follow in Birmingham, England, July 29 to August 7.

#He was named by the Bahamas Olympic Committee to a 28-member team, including 11 track and field athletes, that will have Roy Colebrooke as the chef de mission

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/13/speedy-stevie-will-be-missed-worlds/?news

As of Wednesday, July 13, 2022

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WELLINGTON Miller

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IMMEDIATE past Bahamas Olympic Committee president Wellington Miller said he’s elated to be included with former world boxing champion Everette ‘Elisha Obed’ Ferguson in the list of honourees for the 2022 National Honours.

#In making the announcement during the 49th celebrations of the Bahamas Independence on Sunday, Governor General Cornelius A Smith said the list of citizens, some of whom are being awarded posthumously, are being recognised for their outstanding service in various areas of national development.

#When contacted on Saturday to inform him that he was one of the recipients, Miller said he had to call back to verify that the call was not a fluke.

#“Whenever you are recognised by your country for the contribution that you make, you are really appreciative,” said Miller, who was a former boxer and president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Bahamas.

#“A lot of times when you are involved in sports, you do what you have to do, but you never think that you are doing it to get any kind of national recognition like this. So, whenever you get it, you appreciate it so much more.”

#While Miller was listed among a distinguished group of athletes receiving the Order of Merit, Obed, the first and only Bahamian to win a world boxing title, will be honoured posthumously as an officer.

#But as he has been campaigning over the years, Miller is still calling for something more tangible for his long-time friend and idol, Elisha Obed.

#“I still think that a person like Elisha Obed should have a street where so many people travel or a building that people go into every day should be named after him,” Miller said.

#“He is the first and still the only Bahamian to win a world boxing title. He deserves to get a lot more recognition than he has received.”

#Miller, however, said he is appreciative of the fact that he and ‘Elisha Obed’ are being recognised at the same time and he is even more greatly to be included with so many other outstanding Bahamian athletes in their own rights.

#Among the others receiving the Order of Merit are Cecil Thompson (basketball) and Gregory Burrows (baseball) as Companions and Alpheus ‘Hawk’ Finlayson (track and field), Denise Mortimer (tennis), Godfrey Eneas (baseball), Lawrence Burnside (cycling), Mark Knowles (tennis), Della Thomas (bodybuilding), Mychal ‘Sweet Bells’ Thompson (basketball), Norman Gay (bodybuilding), Winifred Russell (netball), Oswald Moore (volleyball), Churchill Tener-Knowles (softball), Leo Rolle (tennis), Ali Culmer (softball), Winston ‘Tappy’ Davis (volleyball), Andy Knowles (swimming), Rex Burnside (cycling/powerlifting), Allan Ingraham (football), Ed Smith (football), Florence ‘Flo’ Rolle (softball), Bobby ‘Baylor’ Fernander (softball), as officers. Sir Durward ‘Sea Wolf’ Knowles, the legendary star class sailor, will receive an Order of the Bahamas posthumously, along with his two separate crewmen Sloan Farrington (bronze in 1964 Olympic Games) and Cecil Cooke (gold in 1964 Olympics), both posthumously as Merit of Order Officers.

#Also being honoured posthumously for the Order of Merit as a Companion will be Andre Rodgers (baseball) and as Officers are Bertram ‘Cowboy’ Musgrove (cycling), William ‘Yama Bahama’ Brennan (boxing), Oswald ‘Elisha Obed’ Ferguson (boxing), Carl Minns (volleyball/basketball), Leon ‘Apache’ Knowles (softball), Leonard ‘Boston Blackie’ Miller (boxing/cycling), Natasha Newbold (powerlifting/bodybuilding), Kevin ‘Kimbo Slice’ Ferguson (martial arts), Rollie ‘the Grandmaster’ Gray (sloop sailing) and Hezron Moxey (sloop sailing).

#Grand Bahamian Neko Grant, an International Softball Federation Hall of Famer and former Bahamas Softball Federation president, will be receiving the Order of Distinction.

#“I’m so happy to see so many persons who were involved in sports being honoured this time,” Wellington Miller said.

#“They have really showed their appreciation to the athletes.

#“I think that they have done a very good selection of athletes.”

#The awards are expected to be presented to each individual later this year.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/13/miller-elated-be-national-honours-list/?news

PARTICIPANTS enjoy the Mario Ford Baseball Camp with Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg. Photos courtesy of Tommy Stubbs

As of Wednesday, July 13, 2022

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PICTURED, from left to right, at the Mario Ford Baseball Camp are Nathaniel McKinney, Linda Ford, Keith Ford, Eddie Ford, Wentia Ford, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and Mario Ford.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#SHE was too young to remember the exploits of Wenty Ford as a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Atlanta Braves, but Wentia Ford-Diagne said she’s so glad that there are so many memories of her father that she can still rely on to help keep his legacy alive.

#On Friday as her family celebrated the 42nd year since his death in a car accident on July 8, 1980, Ford-Diagne said she was glad to join her uncle, Mario Ford, in honouring her father at the annual Mario Ford Baseball Camp on Windsor Park.

#On hand for the event was Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, who emphasized the importance of remembering those trail blazers and at the same time put in a plug to have the park renamed after the Ford family in the future.

#Ford-Diagne, a former multiple sporting star for the Kingsway Academy Saints, left the Bahamas in 1995 to pursue her studies at Norfolk State University before she went on to Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School, is now residing in Edinburg, Texas where she is a physician assistant partnering with her husband Dr Thiendella Diagne at Dr Diagne Premier Ob Gyn Practice with emphasis on women’s health and infertility.

#The 45-year-old mother of one daughter, Mareme Evangeline Ford-Diagne, said after she consulted her uncle, Mario, they agreed that since this was the memorable day for her father’s passing, they would make it a special one at the camp.

#“He’s been deceased for 42 years, but in our history, I feel a lot of people don’t really know about the pioneers that set the pavement for sports in the country,” she said. “A lot of people really don’t know the Andre Rodgers, Tony Curry and Ed Armbrister of that era.

#“If they only made it to the minors, it was a great accomplishment because of all of the segregation and everything that they had to go through. These are the people who paved the way and we need to remember them.”

#Ford-Diagne said in remembering dates and putting events on to commemorate the occasion, as a family, they get to keep the memories of their loved ones alive.

#“I never really talk about my dad. When I hear the name Wenty, I know they are talking about him,” she said. “But because I never really had a relationship with him because I was so young when he died, I can only go back on what I hear people say about him.

#“When Ma Flo, my grandmother died, everybody from the former prime ministers, were talking about him. So it just told me that how well respected and loved he was in this country and I’m so proud to be a part of the legacy he created.”

#Mario Ford, putting on the camp for the past 36 years, said when he contacted Ford-Diagne, she was excited about coming on board and giving the assistance to the recognition of her father this year.

#In thanking God for allowing him to do the camp for as long as he has, Ford also expressed his gratitude to Ford-Diagne for partnering with him this year.

#Additionally, he thanked the parents for sending their children out to participate and to his siblings Eddie, Keith and Linda, his son, Nathaniel McKinney and the other instructors for their assistance.

#This year, the campers, ranging from ages 7-15 years, will receive a complimentary shirt with Wenty Ford’s number 45 printed on the back and they will also get a hat with number 42 printed for the years since he died.

#Ford, who also played cricket, signed with the Braves in 1966 as an undrafted free agent and was promoted to the Major Leagues in September 1973 after his eighth season in Atlanta’s farm system, having won 17 of 24 decisions with an earned run average of 2.46 with the Braves’ two top minor league affiliates.

#In his Major League debut on September 10, 1973, Ford started against the San Francisco Giants at Atlanta-Fulton County against future baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Manchal.

#Ford pitched a complete game in a 10–4 triumph, surrendering five hits (four of them singles) and six base on balls (walks), with three strikeouts.

#“Wenty wore the number 45 when he was playing professional baseball,” Ford said. “He said Hank Aaron was the best on the team and he wore 44. And once Hank retires, he would be the next best player on the Braves’ team.

#“He always joked about that, but he never got to live out that dream because when the Braves was thinking about trading him, he said he would prefer to retire before he got traded. After playing with the Braves for 10 seasons, he decided to come home rather than get traded.”

#This is just the first week of the camp, which runs daily from 9:30pm to 12:30 pm, but by the time it finishes on July 29, Ford said the campers would have been impacted about their knowledge of the sport.

#“If the kids are not enjoying it, they won’t get much out of it,” Ford said.

#“So we are trying to let them have as much fun as they can. The hours might seem short, but our instructors take them through the drills and they get to play some games, so it’s been a lot of fun for them so far.”

#Bowleg said it’s important to give respect where respect is due. “Wenty was one of those set of Bahamians, who paved the way for guys coming up like Jazz Chisholm and this Mario Ford camp is showing the kind of respect that he deserves,” Bowleg said.

#“This is 42 years since he passed, so I’m just happy to be here to support his family.”

#If there’s anything that has been more gratifying for Bowleg is that the camp is situated in the inner-city.

#“We need to get the inner-city baseball moving because it reaches those kids who are unable to move it out east (for the Freedom Farm and Junior Baseball League of Nassau),” Bowleg said.

#“It’s of uttermost importance because we need to get these kids under the age of 15 actively involved in some wholesome activities and to move them from the life of crime.

#“Our future rests on the kinds of imput that we make in these young people in youth, sports or culture so that they can have some alternative to crime.”

#As for the Ford family, Bowleg said there’s been consideration to renaming Windsor Park to some connection to the Ford family.

#“The Ford family has had a greater involvement in the past to so many youngsters who have participated in so many events on this park, which is located right across the road from their home,” Bowleg said. “So the opportunity to rename the field the Ford Field or Park or whatever you want to call it, is something that we will be considering,” Bowleg said.

#“It’s something that has to be taken up with my collegiate and stakeholders before a decision of that nature is made.”

#From a personal perspective, Bowleg said with the work, consistent dedication and involvement that the Ford family has contributed to the amount of youngsters they have touched, is one of the reasons why they still bear the Ford name.

#Ford said it’s a public park but their family will be willing to entertain any debate on the renaming of the park in the Ford name. He said whether or not they do it, he and his family will continue to nurture the young boys and girls as they have always done in the past.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/13/wentia-helps-keep-her-father-wenty-fords-legacy-al/?news

Steven Gardiner

As of Tuesday, July 12, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Just days before the start of the World Athletics’ 2022 World Championships, Bahamian quarter-miler Steven Gardiner has announced that he won’t be able to defend his 400 metre title in Eugene, Oregon.

#On his Instagram page yesterday, ‘Speedy Stevie’ Gardiner posted that a UTE tendon inflammation to his right foot will prevent him from representing the Bahamas at the championships, scheduled for July 15-24.

#“Unfortunately, there will be no Eugene ‘22 for me,” he wrote. “Devastated by the news, but I’m thankful to all the blessings in my career so far. “I am also thankful to my team around me for all the love and support during the process.”

#The 26-year-old native of Abaco, whose last race was at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Track and Field Championships in June at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, said he will now focus on getting the necessary treatment so that he can be 100 percent.

#“To the people of the Bahamas, my sponsors and my fans around the world, I’m sorry I won’t be able to compete,” Gardiner continued on social media.

#“I wish my rivals good health and the very best. Thanks for the support.”

#Claude Bryan, his manager at On Track Management, confirmed Gardiner’s absence from the team, revealing that Gardiner has been having ongoing issues and it flared up at the trials. Bryan noted that Gardiner subsequently got treatment for it, however, what he is experiencing now is beyond his pain threshold.

#“It is accurate that Stevie will miss the Eugene World Championships. I notified the BAAA President and Stevie would have notified the Eugene team,” Bryan said.

#“He was at the hospital in Oregon and ordered to be booted due to inflammation of the right Achilles. He wanted to still give it a go, however, the pain and inconvenience got the better of him.”

#Bryan said Gardiner will be heading overseas immediately for treatment.

#“We cannot say as of today, anything about his recovery, that is for medical to determine upon direct consultation with and inspection of Stevie,” Bryan said.

#“The decision to not compete was a tough one for Stevie, however, before he is an athlete, he is a human being, his health is the priority.”

#Gardiner, in running 45.32 seconds to take the tape at the nationals over Grand Bahamian Alonzo Russell, second in 46, was expected to be a part of a 16-member team that is scheduled to leave today for the championships.

#Efforts to contact BAAA president Drumeco Archer and team head coach Rupert Gardiner were unsuccessful.

#In addition to running the 400m in Eugene, Gardiner was also expected to be a key factor for the Bahamas mixed relay team with Alonzo Russell, Bradley Doreus, Wayna McCoy, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Anthonique Strachan, Megan Moss, Doneisha Anderson, Javonya Valcourt and Janae Ambrose in the pool.

#Gardiner was also named by the Bahamas Olympic Committee to a 28-member team, including 11 track and field athletes, for the Commonwealth Games, scheduled for Birmingham, England, July 29 to August 7.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/12/gardiner-out-world-champs-injury/?news

As of Tuesday, July 12, 2022

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Jonquel Jones

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#JONQUEL Jones displayed why she is a star among WNBA stars and shined on the brightest stage among the league’s best players at its midseason classic.

#Jones finished with a team high 29 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals, but her Team Stewart lost 134-112 to Team Wilson on July 10 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

#In her fourth All-Star appearance, the Connecticut Sun forward shot 11-20 from the field and 5-11 from three-point range.

#She was the only player in the game to total a double double.

#Wilson and Stewart were named All-Star captains after finishing atop the fan votes for the game. Fowles and Bird, two legends in their final WNBA seasons, joined them for the game.

#Jones was selected by Stewart to start alongside Nneka Ogwumike (Los Angeles Sparks) and Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces).

#The remainder of the team included Kahleah Copper (Chicago Sky), Skylar Diggins-Smith (Phoenix Mercury), Jewell Loyd (Storm), Emma Meesseman (Sky) Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings) and Alyssa Thomas (Sun). In addition to playing in the All-Star game, Jones also advanced to the semifinal of the WNBA Skills Challenge.

#Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty won the competition.

#In the 2021 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game, Jones led Team WNBA All-Stars to a 93-85 victory over Team USA, grabbing a team-high 14 rebounds, while also notching 18 points and four assists.

#She also finished second in the 2021 WNBA Three- Point contest, four points behind the Chicago Sky’s Courtney Vandersloot.

#Jones is leading the Sun in points per game (15.1) and rebounds per game (9.4). She is also third in the league in rebounding and second in second-chance points per game (3.4).

#She was named the WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week May 30 to June 5, 2022, where she averaged 19.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per contest on the Sun’s 3-1 road trip out west against the Aces, Mercury and Storm.

#The Sun will continue their schedule on July 13 when they host an afternoon matchup against the Indiana Fever at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/12/jones-posts-double-double-29-points-13-rebounds-wn/?news

 Home|Sports|Bodybuilding nationals set for SaturdaySports

Over 50 athletes expected to compete in the bodybuilding and fitness nationals

Simba FrenchSend an emailJuly 14, 2022 252 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Local bodybuilding and fitness fans will have an opportunity to watch a show, featuring the sport, after two years of being starved as the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (BBFF) gets ready to host the 49th BBFF National Championship at the Atlantis Theater at Atlantis, Paradise Island on Saturday. Action gets underway at 7 p.m.

There are about 50 athletes who will be competing, and some may register at the last minute. They will compete in men’s physique, men’s muscular physique, women’s figure, women’s bikini, women’s wellness, women’s fit model, women’s fitness, men’s fitness, men’s fit model, men’s classic physique and men’s bodybuilding.

BBFF President Joel Stubbs said that the show is on and the athletes are ready to perform.

“The athletes are all geared up and everyone is in a good mindset. They are ready to battle and compete for this year’s title. They are some 10 divisions up for grabs including the men’s bodybuilding category, which is the most intense of them all. There are also competitors in the softer categories like woman’s bikini, where there will be a lot of female competitors who are not muscle-bound but will showcase a curvy structured shapely body,” Stubbs said.

One of those athletes participating in the men’s physique category this weekend is Our News sportscaster Marcellus Hall.

“I made the decision to do the show less than 12 weeks ago, but I was training all along so it was not much of an adjustment. The last four to five weeks, I had to buckle down and put in the extra workouts and be conscious of nutrition. It began to take a toll on me these last few weeks because the energy level is low. This is the time that I have to focus because it is getting to the nitty-gritty,” Hall said.

Also participating in that same category is Terrion Kemp. He spoke about his preparation for the show.

“For the past 12 weeks, it was very intense training-wise as I trained twice per day and ate about six to seven meals per day on a strict diet. Those were the things I had to do so I can showcase the best on stage,” Kemp said.

Stubbs spoke positively about the show that took place in Freeport, Grand Bahama, earlier this month – the BBFF Northern Bahamas Championships. He is expecting to see some of the athletes who took part in the northern championships on the stage at Atlantis on Saturday night. Some of those athletes expected to compete again are Orick Nesbitt, Andrew Sweeting, Sanadia Smith, Taneka Kemp, Altonique Curtis, Taneka Thompson, Danielle Rollins and Shinaia Pierre.

Some of the athletes from New Providence who will be competing are Andrew Gibson, Giovani Farrington, Gemo Smith, Kaif Young and Wellington Wallace.

The president is pleased that there are some new faces who will be competing. Some of the usual athletes who compete decided to turn to the professional ranks.

“We have seen a lot of new faces stepping up to the plate. On Saturday, persons who come to the show will see competitors who they are not accustomed to seeing at shows over the years. They will be graced with new presence. We are thankful to those individuals for giving it a try,” Stubbs said.

There will be a trophy that will be given to the gym which has the most athletes participating in the show.

The federation is inviting the public to check out the weigh-in of the athletes at J-Line Fitness on Shirley Street. That event stats at 5 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. on Friday.

General admission tickets are $25 each in advance and $30 each at the door. VIP tickets are $40 each in advance and $45 each at the door.

https://thenassauguardian.com/bodybuilding-nationals-set-for-saturday/

 Home|Sports|Ferguson finishes first overall in silver fleet at optimist worldsSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailJuly 14, 2022 201 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Young Craig Ferguson continues to make waves for The Bahamas in international sailing.

Ferguson, a 13-year-old ninth grader at St. John’s College, recently made history by becoming the first Bahamian to win the overall title in the silver fleet at the 2022 Arkas Optimist World Championship. The event was held from June 27 to July 7 in the Turkish Aegean tourist hub of Bodrum in Mugla province, Turkey.

The annual world championship regatta in the Optimist class is organized by the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA).

As for Ferguson, he had four top five finishes in the silver fleet and was first overall. He accumulated 200 total points and 161 net points to lead The Bahamas’ five-member team. Out of all of the sailors, in all of the fleets, Ferguson was 70th overall. Zane Munro was sixth in the silver fleet and 75th overall with 223 total points and 176 net points, Patrick Tomlinson was 33rd in the bronze fleet and 171st overall with 451 total points and 389 net points, Finley McKinney-Lambert was 39th in the bronze fleet and 177th overall with 477 total points and 407 net points, and Norman Cartwright rounded out the five sailors from The Bahamas with a sixth place finish in the emerald fleet and was 213th overall.

In the team competition, The Bahamas finished 31st overall with 3,835 points. Italy was the top performing nation with 743 points, Like golf, lowest score prevails. The United States was second with 1,032 points and Greece rounded out the top three nations with 1,080 points.

Bermuda was the top Caribbean-affiliated nation, finishing 29th overall with 3,703 points. The Bahamas finished second among Caribbean-affiliated countries. For The Bahamas, Ferguson scored 614 points, Munro scored 637 points, Tomlinson added 1,279 points and McKinney-Lambert contributed 1,305 points. Just the scores from the top four sailors were counted in the team competition.

In total, 276 sailors from 61 countries took part in the 11-day international regatta.

According to reports, it was an unforgettable experience for all of the sailors, competing in incredible sailing conditions and against a picturesque backdrop. The weather was conducive for sailing as it was sunny throughout the regatta.

In his six races in the silver fleet, Ferguson finished fourth, 27th, 22nd, fourth, first and third. As mentioned, he was first overall and was followed by Alejandro Ferrer Freire of Puerto Rico. Levian Buscher, of Germany, rounded out the top three.

Weka Bhanubandh, of Thailand, was the top sailor overall with 124 total points and 96 net points, edging James Pine of the United States by just one point.

The young Bahamian sailors were welcomed back to the country at Lynden Pindling International Airport by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and a small contingent and were treated to a small Junkanoo rushout.

https://thenassauguardian.com/ferguson-finishes-first-overall-in-silver-fleet-at-optimist-worlds/

 Home|Sports|Denykco Bowles camp stages media daySports

Simba FrenchSend an emailJuly 14, 2022 156 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Being a professional basketball player is more than just playing basketball on a court… it also includes being accommodating to the media, sometimes before and after a game. At the 9th Denykco Bowles Elite Skills Basketball Camp, Camp Director Denykco Bowles ensured that the campers knew how to address the media in the future.

The camp, which is being held at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium, accommodated media personnel with the likes of Marcellus Hall, Renaldo Dorsett, Felicity Darville and yours truly who addressed the campers yesterday. Bowles spoke about why he decided to have members of the media come in and speak to the campers. Also present at the camp yesterday was Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Timothy Munnings.

“Media day is needed for our kids, especially when it comes to public speaking and interviews. We want to teach them the importance on things they need to do and things that they should not do when it comes to interviewing whether it be on the job or not,” Bowles said. “We just want to allow them to be comfortable and make a good impression of themselves. It is about marketing yourself. Once these kids exude that confidence in public, I think it is something that they will use to build themselves, not only as student-athletes, but in character-building as well.”

The media personnel introduced themselves and spoke to the campers before they were broken up into groups for more in-depth instructions about what to do and what not to do when they are being interviewed. At the end of the session, campers were randomly selected for a mock interview.

In its ninth year, Bowles said that the camp has been going well.

“A lot of the kids are excited,” Bowles said. “This is our first year being back after COVID. Everyone was excited to come out and they wanted to learn a sport. Some of the kids came out for the first time who never touched a basketball in their life. We are definitely thankful that we are here. This year has been extremely good for us.”

For 11-year-old Carsyn Smith, he said he was happy to learn about addressing the media.

“I learned how to be confident in interviews, not to have bad energy while talking. I learned to look up and into the interviewer’s eyes. I am very happy I learned that so when I grow up and I get actual interviews, I can know what to say,” Smith said.

Some of the campers wore their favorite player’s jersey yesterday. One of them wore Bahamian basketball player Kai Jones’ jersey, a forward with the Charlotte Hornets. Bowles said Jones came to his camp in the first week to share some knowledge and love to the campers.

The camp ends on Wednesday July 20.

https://thenassauguardian.com/denykco-bowles-camp-stages-media-day/

Steven Gardiner

As of Tuesday, July 12, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Just days before the start of the World Athletics’ 2022 World Championships, Bahamian quarter-miler Steven Gardiner has announced that he won’t be able to defend his 400 metre title in Eugene, Oregon.

#On his Instagram page yesterday, ‘Speedy Stevie’ Gardiner posted that a UTE tendon inflammation to his right foot will prevent him from representing the Bahamas at the championships, scheduled for July 15-24.

#“Unfortunately, there will be no Eugene ‘22 for me,” he wrote. “Devastated by the news, but I’m thankful to all the blessings in my career so far. “I am also thankful to my team around me for all the love and support during the process.”

#The 26-year-old native of Abaco, whose last race was at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Track and Field Championships in June at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, said he will now focus on getting the necessary treatment so that he can be 100 percent.

#“To the people of the Bahamas, my sponsors and my fans around the world, I’m sorry I won’t be able to compete,” Gardiner continued on social media.

#“I wish my rivals good health and the very best. Thanks for the support.”

#Claude Bryan, his manager at On Track Management, confirmed Gardiner’s absence from the team, revealing that Gardiner has been having ongoing issues and it flared up at the trials. Bryan noted that Gardiner subsequently got treatment for it, however, what he is experiencing now is beyond his pain threshold.

#“It is accurate that Stevie will miss the Eugene World Championships. I notified the BAAA President and Stevie would have notified the Eugene team,” Bryan said.

#“He was at the hospital in Oregon and ordered to be booted due to inflammation of the right Achilles. He wanted to still give it a go, however, the pain and inconvenience got the better of him.”

#Bryan said Gardiner will be heading overseas immediately for treatment.

#“We cannot say as of today, anything about his recovery, that is for medical to determine upon direct consultation with and inspection of Stevie,” Bryan said.

#“The decision to not compete was a tough one for Stevie, however, before he is an athlete, he is a human being, his health is the priority.”

#Gardiner, in running 45.32 seconds to take the tape at the nationals over Grand Bahamian Alonzo Russell, second in 46, was expected to be a part of a 16-member team that is scheduled to leave today for the championships.

#Efforts to contact BAAA president Drumeco Archer and team head coach Rupert Gardiner were unsuccessful.

#In addition to running the 400m in Eugene, Gardiner was also expected to be a key factor for the Bahamas mixed relay team with Alonzo Russell, Bradley Doreus, Wayna McCoy, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Anthonique Strachan, Megan Moss, Doneisha Anderson, Javonya Valcourt and Janae Ambrose in the pool.

#Gardiner was also named by the Bahamas Olympic Committee to a 28-member team, including 11 track and field athletes, for the Commonwealth Games, scheduled for Birmingham, England, July 29 to August 7.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/12/gardiner-out-world-champs-injury/?news