Latest update September 18th, 2026 10:20 AM
Guyana ends OECS Boxing Championship with five Gold
…Vancooten, Wintz named best boxers
Guyana ended this year’s OECS Championship with five gold.
Kaieteur Sports – Guyana finished third overall at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Boxing Championship, which concluded on Sunday evening in St. Lucia.
The national team bagged five gold medals at the prestigious regional tournament, showcasing both emerging and established talent in the ring.
Leading off Guyana’s campaign at the three-day championship was Ken Harvey, who delivered a clinical performance in the Youth 60–63kg Final, earning a Unanimous Decision victory over St. Lucia’s Kirt Kirton.
Rising star Akeelah Vancooten, who was later named Best Female Boxer of the tournament, continued Guyana’s golden run.
Vancooten forced a Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) against Jada Emmanuel of St. Lucia, asserting her dominance early in their bout.
In the Schoolboys 60–63kg Final, Ryan Rogers added to Guyana’s medal tally after the referee halted his bout against Chris Cooper (SLU), handing Rogers a convincing RSC victory.
Meanwhile, Terron Wintz, who was later honoured as the Best Youth Boxer of the Championship, delivered one of the most commanding performances of the tournament.
Emmanuel Pompey
Wintz dismantled Trinidad and Tobago’s Dornel Philip, winning a gold medal in emphatic fashion.
Emmanuel Pompey rounded out Guyana’s gold medal haul with a hard-fought points victory over Yakita Asaka, showcasing his tactical discipline and ring generalship.
However, not all of Guyana’s boxers had the opportunity to compete.
Abiola Jackman, the reigning Best Female Boxer from last year’s OECS Championship and captain of the team, alongside promising puncher Joel Williamson, were both unable to step into the ring. Their opponents failed to show up, resulting in walkovers without a contest.
Despite missing out on what could have potentially been two additional gold medals, President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, expressed pride in the team’s performance.
“A little disappointed that Jackman and Williamson didn’t get to enter the ring, but I’m happy we did a little better than last year,” said Ninvalle.
At last year’s OECS Invitational, held at the Vigie Sports Complex in Castries, Guyana finished second overall in the Invitational Category, bringing a compact squad of just six boxers. That team captured four gold and two silver medals, finishing with 14 points.
Ninvalle took time to credit the support system behind the athletes, adding, “I want to also congratulate the coaches and everyone who played an important role in the success of these boxers.” He also singled out Queensway Security for its unflinching support of Wintz and Williamson.
“We still have a lot of work to do, but participation in this championship was crucial for our boxers’ development,” Ninvalle said.
Looking ahead, Ninvalle reaffirmed the GBA’s commitment to strengthening its youth programme while providing regional and international exposure for Guyana’s elite boxers.
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