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GUYANA DOMINATES FIRST DAY
Led by the Guyana contingent, French Guiana and Suriname (below) take part in the March Past at yesterday’s opening at the Police Ground, Eve Leary.
By Edison Jefford
Shaunna Thornhill, Roxanna Rigby, Dellon DeAbreu and Triston Joseph gave local fans much to scream about at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary yesterday as Guyana completely dominated day one of the athletics competition.
The first phase of the 2009 InterGuiana Games (IGG) got underway yesterday when a fleet of national junior track and field athletes stormed the Police Sports Club Ground yesterday following an opening ceremony. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds delivered the main address and took the salute at the March Past of the teams along with representatives of French Guiana and Suriname and Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony and Director of Sport Neil Kumar. Guyana’s Michael Bowman opened the medal hunt for the locals when he threw 45.10m to win the boys’ javelin throw ahead of French Guiana’s, Alan Alias (44.30m) and team mate, Vallon Adams, who tossed the iron ball 42.90m.
Thornhill then went into action in the girls’ 400m when she ran from behind to catch her leading counterpart, Letitia Myles (third in 1:02.20) to win in 1:01.00 while Suriname’s Roma Van de Vloot finished second in 1:01.90.
The Suriname Contingent
With Guyana winning two gold medals on the trot, DeAbreu kept the country in defence of its athletics title when he easily disposed of his opposition in the boys’ version of the 400m race with a time of 52.90. French Guiana’s, Junior Thalon was second in 54.10 while Guyana’s Frank Mercurius was third in 54.30.
French Guiana’s Alexie Alais won the girls’ javelin throw with a toss of 33.10m, giving Guyana its first second place finish of the day when Lisa Bowman threw 28.10m. French Guiana’s Jocelyne Violanes was third with 26.30m.
Rigby raced to a 12.00 time to win the marquee girls 100m ahead of Suriname’s Danielle Clarke, who clocked 12.40. Rigby’s team mate, Deja Smartt placed third in the race with a time of 12.90 to continue Guyana’s consistency.
Local star, Triston Joseph gave Guyana a double in the race when he fired to a 10.70 time in the boys 100m race. Joseph carried his counterpart, Okeme Stewart (11.00) to second place while Suriname’s Astrayo Leeflang (11.40) was third.
Joseph, who has been the most dominant junior 100m sprinter for the last two years and a defending Guiana Games champion, told Kaieteur Sport that he enjoyed the race and it was what he expected since working on his technique.
“I worked on some technical aspects prior to the event. I am completely satisfied with my run here today and I am looking to continue in this good form,” Joseph said, adding that he wants to graduate to the Pan American Junior level.
The French Contingent
After Joseph’s heroics, Carifta Games gold medallist, Jevina Straker ran from behind to capture the girls 1500m race in 5:07.30 ahead of local rival, Jenella Jonas (5:07.90) and Suriname’s Genelva Diko, who came third in 5:21.40.
Straker’s entertaining run was supported when Carifta Games team mate, Ricardo Martin devastated his opponents in the male version of the race in 4:24.30, leaving counter part, Kevin Bailey to fight for second in 4:29.20. Suriname’s Regill Touwslager was third with a time of 4:31.20 at the Police Ground.
With Guyana taking most of the top medals on the opening day, it was time for the much anticipated 4x100m relays where the host country again used the opportunity to extend its earlier dominance in the track and field competition.
Guyana’s team that comprised Smart, Myles, Rigby and Nadine Rodrigues won the easily in 50.00 seconds with French Guiana in second with 52.00 and neighbouring Suriname in third with a distant 53.20 time in the event.
The local male 4x100m team that included Mercurius, DeAbreu, Stewart and Joseph had an even more convincing win with 43.30 seconds ahead of French Guiana (46.90) and Suriname (47.80) to wrap up the day’s competition.
The second day of the athletics competition begins today at the same venue from 10am.
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