In an unprecedented development for Caribbean athletics, Trinidad and Tobago will mark its inaugural participation in the World Sailing Inclusion Championships following an official invitation from the global governing body. Twenty-three-year-old sailor Justin Bridgemohan and coach Kristof Stüven will represent the nation at the December 2025 event in Oman’s Barceló Mussanah Resort, signaling a transformative moment for inclusive sports in the region.
Bridgemohan’s ascent to international competition embodies extraordinary determination. His parasport journey commenced merely last year at a badminton workshop in Mexico, where he encountered Stüven, then training as a classifier. Their shared vision of competitive sailing materialized through the Andrew Lewis Sailing Foundation’s Academy, which launched its inaugural summer program this year. Despite joining during the final phase, Bridgemohan demonstrated immediate aptitude among 200 trainees and now trains intensively multiple times weekly, progressing from novice to competing alongside able-bodied sailors.
Stüven, serving as Head Coach at the Foundation and national classifier with the Trinidad and Tobago Paralympic Committee (TTPC), emphasized the broader significance: “This transcends competition—it represents a movement demonstrating sailing’s accessibility regardless of race, gender, or ability. Trinidad and Tobago possesses the talent and determination for global impact.”
The championship carries dual importance: Bridgemohan will compete in the Hansa 303 class—a premier adaptive sailing vessel—to receive formal international classification, while Stüven will shadow world sailing classifiers, potentially becoming the Caribbean’s first para sailing classification expert. This milestone reflects growing institutional support from TTPC and the Andrew Lewis Foundation, highlighting regional advancements in parasport infrastructure.
TTPC President Sudhir Ramessar celebrated the achievement: “Young leaders like Stüven and athletes like Bridgemohan exemplify excellence that will inspire Caribbean youth to recognize their potential.” The participation not only breaks competitive barriers but establishes a framework for future inclusive athletic development throughout the Caribbean basin.