On this episode of Sports Monday, sports fans across Belize were treated to a weekend packed with competitive thrills, alongside a deeper look at a rapidly rising new sport that is taking root across the country.
While traditional favorites like basketball, football and volleyball have long dominated the Belizean sports landscape, a new generation of young athletes is building a gymnastics community from scratch, with origins that stretch back to the COVID-19 pandemic. When public health restrictions forced dance studios across the nation to close their doors, local dance instructors pivoted to meet shifting recreational demands, creating an unexpected opening for the sport.
Susen Bedran, president of the Gymnastics Federation of Belize, explained that the movement grew organically from small, lockdown-era beginnings. When one young student struggled with online ballet classes and expressed interest in gymnastics, local coaches connected her with a Guatemalan-based coach for virtual training. Word spread quickly among local young people, and before long, multiple children were asking to join the emerging program. Seizing the moment, Bedran and her partner Rita Acevedo converted an existing dance studio into a dedicated gymnastics training space, opening the program to the public. In their first week, they attracted 60 young participants, a turnout that far exceeded early expectations.
Today, the SeSa training gym brings together gymnasts of all age groups and skill levels, united by a shared passion for the sport of flips, tumbles, and balance work. For many of these young athletes, gymnastics offers far more than physical activity: it builds resilience, discipline, and joy. Level 4 gymnast Selene Bedran says her long-term goal is to earn a spot competing on a college gymnastics team, while Level 2 athlete Ze’Naiya Blades values the sport’s unique balance of structure and fun, noting she has learned to laugh off missteps like falls during practice. Fellow Level 2 competitor Aliyah Aguilar says falling during a routine leaves her disappointed, but it also motivates her to improve for her next attempt. For higher-level gymnast Opal Bridgeman, the sport is flexible enough to fit every goal: athletes can compete at high levels if they choose, or simply train for fun without the pressure of competition. As a still-developing sport in Belize, every gymnast gets to help shape its future in the country.
Beyond the rise of Belizean gymnastics, this past weekend delivered high-stakes action in the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) semi-final playoffs, with two matchups that went down to the final seconds. The Cayo Western Ballaz evened their series against the Running Rebels on their home court, pulling out a 70-66 win with a decisive push in the final minute. Over at the Civic, game one between the Defenders and their opponent was not decided until the closing seconds, with the Defenders securing a narrow 85-84 win. The stage is now set for a critical close-out game Friday at the Civic, followed by a do-or-die match-up Saturday in Orange Walk.
In weekend softball action, the Wolfpack men’s and women’s teams turned in dominant performances Friday. The Beacons opened Saturday play with a lopsided 15-0 shutout victory over Willows Bank, while Biscayne’s men’s team notched a historic win for rural squads, beating the city-based Guardian Bombers. On Sunday, the Belize Bank Bulldogs women’s team extended their ongoing winning streak. Fans can look forward to eight more match-ups this coming weekend at the Sandhill Community field.
Finally, in cycling, the annual Father’s Day Extravaganza Criterium wrapped up Sunday with multiple podium finishes for local riders. Jyven Gonzalez of Legion of Los Angeles took the top spot in the Open Elite division, while his team mate Jaylen Briceno claimed the Under-23 title. Byron Pope won the general Masters category, and Brandon Cattouse took first place in the 40+ Masters division. On the women’s side, Patricia Chavarria earned the Open Women’s championship crown.
Signing off from this week’s round-up, reporter Shane Williams left fans with a reminder: friendly competition brings communities together, and for sports lovers across Belize, the game is a way of life. So keep playing, Belize.