Chase Thompson pleased to represent Guyana, looking forward for more opportunities

May 04, 2021 Sports

Chase Thompson at the recent event.

Kaieteur News – Swimmer Chase Thompson has expressed pleasure at the chance to have represented his country, Guyana, and is hopeful of more opportunities to do same.
In a release to the media, the US-based Chase noted his joy at being able to have the distinction of representing his homeland, Guyana, at the UANA Tokyo Qualifier Meet this past week in the United States.
“I am beyond grateful to have represented the country of Guyana at the UANA Tokyo Qualifier Meet this past week. Although I have been swimming for a club team from Guyana (Dolphin Speed Swim Club Coached by Paul Mahaica), this was my first time officially competing on the National Team under the flag of Guyana. This was a very high-level international meet with over 60 countries in attendance,” Thompson stated.

Chase Thompson (left) and his colleagues at the recent event.

He further disclosed, “I was able to break two Guyanese National Records in the 50 meter breaststroke and the 100 meter breaststroke. The previous times were a 30.40 in the 50 meter and a 1:09.11 in the 100 meter. I swam a 30.29 in the 50 meter and a 1:06.73 in the 100 meter. I swam the 50m breaststroke in a Time Trial event, but would have place 17th in the meet if I had entered during the regular heats. In the 100m breaststroke, I placed 23rd overall. These swims were also my highest FINA points ever as my 50m breaststroke is valued at 628 FINA points and my 100m breaststroke is valued at 620 points. In all honesty and humility, this is the best accomplishment of my athletic career.”
The swimmer further informed, “I want to, first and foremost, thank God for giving me the opportunity to love a sport so much. I want to thank my parents, Clifford and Bibi Thompson, who were born in Linden, Guyana and Georgetown, Guyana respectively, for instilling a love for our country in me since I was young even though they raised me and my brother in the U.S. As someone who is full-blood Guyanese, I am grateful to be a dual-citizen and call Guyana home.”
“I also want to thank my brother Brian and his wife Maddison Thompson for their love and support. Additionally, a big thank you to Coach Paul Mahaica, Coach Shyka Gonsalves, Coach Tim Leonhart, Coach Bill Bailey, and all of my other coaches in Guyana and Utah as well as President Dwayne Scott of Guyana Amateur Swimming Association and the whole Guyana Olympic Committee/Guyana Council Committee. Last, but not least, to my wife Karlie: thank you for your love and support, especially when I didn’t think I could ever swim faster than I once was; you always believed in me and pushed me to never give up,” the US-based swimmer concluded.
Andrew Fowler, Jamila Sanmoogan, Leon Seaton and Thompson accompanied by Coach Paul Mahaica participated in the event with Fowler and Seaton competing in similar events, (50M Freestyle, 100M Freestyle and 50M Butterfly events), while Sanmoogan took part in the 50M freestyle and 50M Butterfly events.
Thompson made his debut for Guyana at this level in the 100M freestyle and the 100M Breaststroke.

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