Latest update July 2nd, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 30, 2022 Sports
– Duncan cops best boxer trophy
Guyana successfully defended their team title, while Guyanese Jeremiah Duncan took the best Boxer award when the curtains came down on the three-night Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Boxing Championships on Sunday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
In the four-team Championships Guyana registered 23 points to easily take top honours in the fifth edition of the Championships which began in 2016.
The Guyanese were head and shoulders above the visiting contingents, Bahamas (nine points), Trinidad and Tobago (eight points) and St Lucia on five points.
The talented Duncan played a big part his Country’s success and earned the Best Boxer trophy, while others like Eon Bancroft and Emanuel Pompey contributed to Guyana’s unbeaten streak since the inaugural Championships.
Duncan defeated Andrew Curtis of The Bahamas to win the final of the 50-52kg class. He forced the referee to stop the contest 57 minutes into the third round.
Joshua Thambaran handed Guyana another win when he beat Prince Charles of Trinidad and Tobago to take the 57-60kg title. The referee put a halt to the contest 1 minute 31 seconds in the first round.
Eon Bancroft Jr of Guyana won the 60-63kg final against Harve Charlenagne of St. Lucia; the referee stopped the bout in the opening round.
Jailen Younge of The Bahamas won by a unanimous decision over Guyanese Tiquan Sampson in the 54-56kg final.
In the international segment, Guyanese Emanuel Pompey stormed to victory over Elijah Smith of The Bahamas who didn’t take to the ring after two rounds in their scheduled three- round 91+kg bout.
Jaden Younge of The Bahamas beat Dwayne Baptiste of Guyana by a split decision, while Keybert Similien of St. Lucia overcame Joshua Lewis of Trinidad and Tobago in the 57-60kg (15-16yrs).
Sean Graham of Guyana beat Chris Persaud in the 60-63kg exhibition bout.
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport during the event, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. said Guyana has a lot of young talent, but the weakness is being able to take it to the international level, not only in boxing but all the sporting disciplines. This is something we are working on so we can reap success at the elite level consistently.
He added that this event, helps to give exposure at the nursery level and it’s something which he will continue to support.
“The true measure of our success is how well we do at the international level, we know where we are, that’s why the academy had to start. I couldn’t see and know we have the talent, but we are underperforming at the international level. So that’s why I am so keen to see that every stage of the academy is implemented, and at the NSC level I have put in place a few persons with key responsibilities that they have to monitor, evaluate and report to the commission and of which I am also monitoring those reports and being involved,” Ramson pointed out.
The Minister stated that they are now putting in place a formal structure (which was done on Thursday) that becomes an agenda item on the NSC meeting.
“When it comes to the elite level that is something I am going to take on a very serious responsibility for. I am going to engage the ambassadors, where I can bring in elite coaches and have our local coaches work with them while they are training our elite players. We have the talent but we have to convert it into international success,” he explained.
President of the Guyana Boxing Association and brainchild of the tournament, Steve Ninvalle underscored its importance.
“I think it’s the most important event for boxing in the Caribbean. As I said our nursery is of immense importance. This has also been echoed by every country that has come here and as a matter of a fact, people are saying that those that are not here stand not to gain.”
Ninvalle, who is also the Director of Sport, added, “From a personal standpoint, I am extremely happy for what we have been able to achieve. At one point we were saying that this is something that we will not be able to do but because of its importance, we know that we cannot fail with this nursery.”
Ninvalle was enthused at the overwhelming success and stated that next year, the tournament will be held on a “grander scale”.
“We will do it next year on a grander scale as you have heard the Honorable Minister (Charles Ramson Jr.) said that this facility will be ready for a larger influx of countries.
I am saying that this tournament in the near future will become such a marquee tournament that we will have boxers not only from the Caribbean but further afield,” Ninvalle professed in conclusion.
Let’s fight that snake Exxon!!!
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