Carib Scope

分类： sports

  • Jamaica Draughts Association crowns first female national champion, Dr Mishka Chung

    Jamaica Draughts Association crowns first female national champion, Dr Mishka Chung

    In a landmark moment for Jamaican sports, the Jamaica Draughts Association (JDA) witnessed the coronation of its first-ever female national champion. Dr. Mishka Chung secured her historic victory by defeating Regina Stewart with a decisive 2-0 scoreline in the finals of the National Pool Checkers Championships, held at the Port Rhoades Sports Club in Discovery Bay, St. Ann.

    The tournament itself set significant participation records, becoming the second-largest gathering in the history of the JDA Nationals, only exceeded by the 2024 event. A particularly promising sign for the future of the sport was the unprecedented number of junior competitors, signaling a robust and growing interest in draughts among Jamaica’s younger generation. This surge is widely attributed to the JDA’s dedicated initiatives to promote the game and provide developmental opportunities for emerging talent.

    Beyond Chung’s groundbreaking achievement, the championships featured other notable milestones. Shaveir Jadoo was named Youth Champion, underscoring the nation’s promising pipeline of strategic gaming talent. These successes collectively highlight both the rising popularity of draughts and the JDA’s effective commitment to fostering critical and strategic thinking skills through the game.

    The Top Masters Division showcased intense competition, with International Grandmaster Wayne ‘Shines’ Reid capturing the top honor. He was followed by International Master Courtney ‘Carlos’ Thompson and Top Master Jason ‘School Boy’ Wisdom. Last year’s titleholder, Federation Master Jermaine ‘Wasp’ Hutchinson, put up a strong defense to finish in a respectable fourth place.

    Looking ahead, the JDA has announced plans to host Jamaica’s inaugural Draughts 100 (10×10 International Draughts) national trials in March 2026. This event represents a major expansion for the sport within the country. The top performers from these trials will earn the right to represent Jamaica at the prestigious Pan American Championships scheduled for April 2026 in Paramaribo, Suriname.

  • New Zealand crush Windies by 323 runs to seal series

    New Zealand crush Windies by 323 runs to seal series

    New Zealand delivered a commanding performance to secure a resounding 323-run victory against the West Indies in the third Test match on Monday, clinching the series 2-0 behind a spectacular bowling display from Jacob Duffy. The right-arm seamer achieved a career-best match haul of nine wickets for 128 runs, dismantling the tourists’ batting lineup in a dramatic final session collapse.

    The West Indies, set an imposing target of 462 runs, displayed initial resilience with openers Brandon King and John Campbell building an 87-run partnership without loss. King appeared particularly composed during his fluent knock of 67 runs, suggesting the visitors might extend the match deep into the final day. However, the match turned decisively when Duffy’s awkward bounce forced King to glove a catch to gully, triggering a spectacular batting collapse that saw nine wickets fall for just 51 runs.

    Spinner Ajaz Patel contributed significantly with his best home figures of 3-23 and 6-136, including the crucial dismissal of Campbell and Kavem Hodge. The latter fell to an exceptional reflex catch by Rachin Ravindra at short leg. Duffy then dominated the middle order with a masterclass in seam bowling, removing Alick Athanaze, Justin Greaves, and captain Roston Chase in quick succession.

    The victory was built upon New Zealand’s mammoth first-innings total of 575 for eight declared, founded on a historic opening partnership between Devon Conway (227) and captain Tom Latham (137). The pair became the first opening combination in Test history to score centuries in both innings of a match, with Conway following his double-century with 100 in the second innings and Latham adding 101.

    This comprehensive victory propelled New Zealand to second place behind Australia in the World Test Championship standings. Conway received the Player-of-the-Match award for his extraordinary batting performance, while Duffy earned Player-of-the-Series honors for his series tally of 23 wickets.

    West Indies captain Roston Chase acknowledged his team’s inconsistent performance throughout the series, noting they played well in patches but failed to maintain momentum during crucial phases. The tourists had shown promise in the first innings with Kavem Hodge’s century helping them to a respectable 420, but ultimately couldn’t sustain their resistance against New Zealand’s disciplined attack.

  • Prensa Latina selects Latin America’s Best Athletes for 2025

    Prensa Latina selects Latin America’s Best Athletes for 2025

    Cuba has accomplished a remarkable feat in sports recognition by securing all three major categories in the prestigious Prensa Latina Latin American Sports Survey for only the second time in history. The island nation’s athletes dominated the 61st edition of the annual poll, capturing honors in individual and team competitions against strong regional competitors.

    Triple jump sensation Leyanis Pérez emerged as the undisputed favorite in the female athlete category, commanding an impressive 73 votes from the outset of polling that began November 21. The track and field star outperformed 16 other nominated female athletes who each received at least one nomination.

    In a groundbreaking achievement, left-handed pitcher Livan Moinelo made history by becoming the first Cuban baseball player to claim the Latin American Male Athlete of the Year title. The Japanese league champion secured 42 votes, decisively outpacing Argentine football legend Lionel Messi, who trailed with 19 votes.

    The Cuban National Baseball 5 team provided the most dramatic victory, mounting a last-minute surge to claim the team award with 37 votes. The youth champions from the Nayarit World Championship edged out their Argentine rivals by a narrow four-vote margin following an intensive campaign supported by national media outlets.

    This triple victory marks only the second time Cuba has achieved such comprehensive recognition since 1989, when high jumper Javier Sotomayor, runner Ana Fidelia Quirot, and the women’s volleyball team simultaneously topped their categories.

    The 2023 survey carried special significance, commemorating two major sporting milestones: the centenary of Commander Fidel Castro’s birth, recognized as the architect of Cuba’s sports movement, and the fifth anniversary of Argentine football icon Diego Armando Maradona’s passing. Maradona himself had won the Sports Survey in 1986.

    This year’s edition demonstrated extensive international participation with 70 foreign media organizations and 43 Cuban outlets contributing to the voting process, reflecting the continued importance of these awards in Latin American sports journalism.

  • Olympic Gold Medalists Return to Antigua and Barbuda for High Performance Training Experience.

    Olympic Gold Medalists Return to Antigua and Barbuda for High Performance Training Experience.

    Antigua and Barbuda is set to welcome an impressive delegation of world-class Olympic athletes for a specialized off-season training camp from December 26, 2025, to January 3, 2026. The delegation will be led by Rai Benjamin, the celebrated Olympic gold medalist and World Champion widely recognized as one of history’s finest 400-meter hurdlers. Benjamin, who has earned the local moniker ‘King Ben,’ will be accompanied by ten other elite competitors.

    The distinguished roster includes Antigua’s own track stars Cejhae Green and Joella Lloyd, alongside international standouts such as Vernon Norwood, an Olympic gold medalist and World Championship medalist known for his crucial contributions to the United States men’s 4×400-meter relay team. The group also features Jasmine Jones, a top American sprinter and hurdler who recently secured a silver medal in the 400-meter hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics.

    Additional participants include accomplished athletes Raevyn Rogers, Shae Anderson, Sammy Watson, Kendall Ellis, and Allie Jones, all possessing extensive experience competing at the highest echelons of international track and field. The team will be under the guidance of Joanna Hayes, an Olympic gold medalist turned internationally renowned coach, celebrated for her ongoing success in developing world-class athletic talent.

    A highlight of the visit will be a special meet-and-greet and training clinic for local aspiring athletes, scheduled for December 29 at the YASCO Sports Complex. This initiative will provide young Antiguan track and field hopefuls with an unprecedented opportunity to train alongside and receive direct instruction from Olympic champions and seasoned professionals.

    Shawnor Joseph, the newly elected President of the Antigua Athletics Association, expressed strong enthusiasm for the upcoming clinic, highlighting its significant potential for athletic development in core disciplines for both Antiguan coaches and athletes. Joseph stated, ‘The Antigua and Barbuda Athletics Association is extremely proud to welcome back Rai Benjamin and his Hayestack training team. We view the clinic as an important investment in athlete development that will have a meaningful impact on our coaches and athletes.’

    The Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, serving as the major sponsor through its Department of Sports Tourism, emphasized the strategic value of hosting elite athletes. Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez noted that the visit strengthens Antigua and Barbuda’s emerging reputation as a preferred destination for high-performance sport, athlete development, and substantive sports tourism engagement.

  • Grenada Olympia Glory Games 2025

    Grenada Olympia Glory Games 2025

    The Morne Rouge Playing Field in Grenada became an epicenter of athletic excellence on December 13, 2025, as the nation hosted the spectacular Olympia Glory Games. This landmark event celebrated raw power, disciplined physique, and vibrant community spirit, signaling a new era for strength sports in the Caribbean region.

    The games showcased revolutionary strongman equipment, including two professionally engineered vehicle deadlift apparatuses manufactured locally by Moorsafe Group Ltd. These state-of-the-art installations demonstrated Grenada’s growing capacity to support world-class strength competitions while promoting domestic engineering expertise.

    Elite athletes from multiple divisions competed for national titles, with international contenders from Trinidad and Tobago elevating the competitive landscape. The women’s open division saw Candesha Scott claim victory, followed by Onesha Bingley and Jai Abraham. Rashid Bridgeman dominated the men’s lightweight category, while Jusceno Jacob triumphed in the heavyweight division against strong regional competition including Trinidad’s Krishna Lutchman.

    Beyond traditional strongman events, the games featured two signature physique exhibitions: the Men’s Beach Body Competition and Women’s Bikini Showdown. These segments highlighted extraordinary physical conditioning, confidence, and artistic presentation, broadening the event’s appeal beyond pure strength demonstrations.

    The opening ceremony reached historic proportions when Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell officially inaugurated the games before engaging in a symbolic Farmers Walk challenge against Grenadian strongman legend Mark Felix. The presence of high-ranking officials including Police Commissioner Randy Connaught and Olympic Committee President Bernard Wilson underscored institutional support for strength sports development.

    Youth engagement emerged as a central theme through the Schools Truck Pull Challenge, where Grenada Boys’ Secondary School competed against Presentation Brothers’ College in a display of youthful enthusiasm and school spirit. Both principals participated directly, emphasizing the importance of physical activity and teamwork among younger generations.

    The games concluded with a powerful symbolic gesture as Mark Felix presented his personal competition gear to local strongman Marcus Alexander, representing the transfer of excellence between athletic generations. This moment encapsulated the event’s broader mission to inspire future athletes and build lasting legacies.

    Substantial sponsorship from both public and private sectors enabled the games’ success, with the Ministry of Youth Sports, Grenada Olympic Committee, and numerous corporate partners providing crucial support. Fitness establishments including Body Image Health Club, Geomax Gym, and Extreme Fitness contributed to elevating competitive standards nationwide.

  • RACE DAY REVIEW FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2025

    RACE DAY REVIEW FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2025

    The Jamaican thoroughbred racing industry, operated by Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited (SVREL), is confronting a systemic crisis characterized by an overwhelming prevalence of odds-on favorites. This trend, observed in eight of the nine races on a recent race day, is severely undermining competitive wagering and the sport’s long-term profitability.

    Industry analysts identify the root cause as a critical decline in the available horse population, exacerbated by the current claiming system model. This model, now discouraged by the United States Jockey Club, fragments horses into over 20 classifications instead of the traditional seven. The consequence is smaller, less competitive fields and a high frequency of condition races where superior horses receive weight advantages over inferior ones in over 90% of events.

    The wagering structure offers only win and place bets, with 13 total options. This limited choice, combined with the predictability of outcomes, discourages betting. Patrons are spending less as the abundance of perceived ‘banker’ favorites diminishes the incentive for risk. This presents a fundamental conflict: unlike a pure lottery, horse racing possesses a degree of predictability that, when too pronounced, actively hurts its financial model as a gaming product.

    Race results underscored the lack of parity. Notable wins included Hit N Run (1-2) by Jason DaCosta, a 10-length romp by juvenile Mohanlal (4-5) for Richard Azan, and a stable double achieved by the Parsard family. Ian Parsard saddled I’m Outstanding (3-1), while his son Peter-John secured a double, one of which was a birthday win for apprentice Jereau Stewart aboard Feeling Free (5-2).

    The day’s most remarkable performance came from Raymond Townsend’s Warsaw, a 37-1 longshot. The four-year-old colt, noted for being extremely difficult to train, secured his third victory of the season in a half-length win, earning Townsend the Training Feat Award. Jockey Emelio McLean, aboard Warsaw, received the Jockeyship Award for his winning ride. Other dominant performances included easy victories by Uncle Peck (3-5) and a double from trainer Anthony Nunes, featuring Papa Uso (4-5) and The HotDancer (4-5).

  • Belleza Gris bounces back with dominant maiden win

    Belleza Gris bounces back with dominant maiden win

    In a remarkable display of equine athleticism, the four-year-old bay filly Belleza Gris secured a commanding maiden victory at Caymanas Park on Saturday. Conditioned by trainer Patrick Lynch and expertly ridden by jockey Jerome Innis, the filly completed the five-furlong straight course (1,000m) in a swift 1:02.2, winning by an impressive 4¼-length margin.

    The performance marked a dramatic turnaround from her disappointing sixth-place debut finish on November 15, 2025. Breaking sharply from the gate, Belleza Gris immediately positioned herself among the frontrunners, engaging in an early battle for the lead with contenders including Girlythebutcher (ridden by Javonne Prince), Boasey Girl (Shaheem Girl), Sweet Bern (Raddesh), and Lady Katghara (Joy Haynes).

    Demonstrating both exceptional pace and stamina, the filly began to separate herself from the competition as she crossed the dummy rails and transitioned onto the main track. Her powerful stride carried her to a decisive victory ahead of second-place finisher Boasey Girl and third-place Sweet Bern, showcasing the potential that had been unrealized in her initial outing.

  • Central defender Kobi Henry signs two-year deal with Real Salt Lake

    Central defender Kobi Henry signs two-year deal with Real Salt Lake

    Trinidad and Tobago international defender Kobi Henry has finalized a permanent transfer to Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake, signing a two-year contract with an option for extension through December 2027. The 21-year-old center back previously spent the 2025 season on loan from French Ligue 2 club Stade de Reims, ultimately convincing the Utah-based franchise to make the move permanent.

    Henry’s initial loan spell encountered early challenges when a hamstring injury limited his first-team appearances to just five matches. Despite this setback, the Florida-born defender demonstrated resilience by completing 14 appearances for Real Monarchs, Salt Lake’s MLS Next Pro affiliate team. His pre-injury performance included two Concacaf Champions Cup appearances against Costa Rican champions CS Herediano in February.

    The towering defender quickly established himself as a key component of Trinidad and Tobago’s national team setup under coach Dwight Yorke, featuring in all six matches during the final round of FIFA 2026 World Cup qualification. Though Trinidad’s qualification campaign ultimately proved unsuccessful, Henry emerged as a fan favorite while showcasing unexpected offensive prowess—scoring crucial goals against Bermuda in both home and away fixtures.

    Real Salt Lake’s sporting director Kurt Schmid expressed enthusiasm about the permanent acquisition, noting: ‘Kobi’s foundational development during 2025 paid dividends late in the season. His abilities on the backline in multiple defensive setups will provide great competition within our roster.’

    Henry conveyed his excitement about the permanent move, stating: ‘I’m extremely excited to be signing permanently with RSL. Last season on loan taught me a lot and I feel ready to make the next step. I’ve been working hard this off-season and can’t wait to help our team enjoy a successful season.’

    Prior to his MLS move, Henry gained experience through 21 appearances for Stade Reims’ B team and 15 matches during a loan spell with FC Villefranche, demonstrating his adaptability across different competitive environments.

  • Peter-John Parsard shines with three winners at Caymanas Park

    Peter-John Parsard shines with three winners at Caymanas Park

    Caymanas Park witnessed a spectacular display of horsemanship on Saturday, December 20, 2025, as emerging training prodigy Peter-John Parsard secured a remarkable triple victory. This outstanding achievement marks his 31st seasonal win, firmly establishing his fifth-place standing in the competitive trainers’ championship.

    The day’s triumph commenced with Race 3, where Parsard’s charge Uncle Peck, skillfully ridden by jockey Dane Dawkins, dominated the $780,000 Restricted Allowance IV event. The native-bred four-year-old demonstrated exceptional speed, covering the 7½ furlong (1,500m) distance in 1:35.4 minutes and securing a commanding 6¼-length victory ahead of Princess Cataleya and Noble Sovereign.

    Parsard’s winning streak continued in Race 6 with Feeling Free, piloted by Jereau Stewart. The promising three-year-old native-bred colt captured the $1.05-million Restricted Maiden Condition race, mastering the four-furlong (800m) sprint in 47.4 seconds and finishing 2½ lengths clear of rivals Runaway Bay and Lauren’s Secret.

    The training sensation completed his hat-trick in Race 7 with I’m Outstanding, ridden by Bebeto Harvey. The impressive colt delivered a stunning six-length victory in the $1.1-million Restricted Allowance II contest, covering the seven furlong (1,400m) course in 1:28.4 minutes and outperforming stablemate Roaring Kitty and Four Thirty.

    This exceptional triple victory underscores Parsard’s rapidly growing reputation as one of horse racing’s most promising young talents, demonstrating strategic expertise in saddle preparation and race management that belies his relatively brief training career.

  • Former Reggae Boyz captain named head coach of CT United

    Former Reggae Boyz captain named head coach of CT United

    Connecticut United FC 2 has made a landmark appointment by naming former Jamaican international defender Shavar Thomas as their inaugural head coach ahead of the club’s 2026 MLS NEXT Pro debut. The 44-year-old football pioneer brings exceptional credentials to the newly formed franchise, becoming the first head coach in the team’s history since its establishment in 2022.

    Thomas boasts an impressive football pedigree that uniquely positions him for this pioneering role. His extensive playing career spanned from 1999 to 2012, during which he earned 52 caps for the Jamaican national team while serving as captain of the Reggae Boyz. His professional journey included significant spells with multiple Major League Soccer clubs, including Los Angeles Galaxy, Philadelphia Union, Chivas USA, FC Dallas, and Montreal Impact.

    The Jamaican’s connection to Connecticut runs deep, having previously attended the University of Connecticut where he played for the Huskies. His collegiate performance earned him the number 10 selection in the 2003 MLS Draft by Dallas Burn, launching his professional career.

    Beyond his playing accomplishments, Thomas has established himself as a proven tactical leader in the coaching realm. He previously guided Portmore United to consecutive Jamaican Premier League championships in 2018 and 2019, additionally securing the Caribbean Club Champion title in 2019. Most recently, he helmed the national team of Turks and Caicos, further expanding his international coaching experience.

    Thomas’s appointment represents a strategic move for Connecticut United FC 2 as they build toward their inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season while advancing the organization’s broader ambition of eventually bringing Major League Soccer to the state of Connecticut.