Carib Scope

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  • 24th annual basketball tournament tips off in Bequia

    24th annual basketball tournament tips off in Bequia

    The Bequia Basketball Association (BBA) launched its highly anticipated 24th annual island tournament on Saturday at the iconic Clive Tannis Hard Court, drawing hundreds of local spectators for an action-packed opening night that blended rising young talent and seasoned senior competition, while highlighting the sport’s steady expanding popularity across the Grenadines island.

    Opening night marked a historic milestone for the BBA, with the debut of the association’s brand-new Under-12 Division. This new addition was directly born from the overwhelming success of the BBA’s year-long grassroots youth development initiative, which drew over 100 aspiring young basketball players from across Bequia to participate in training camps and skill-building sessions throughout the past year.

    The first tip-off of the tournament went to the new Under-12 bracket, where the Ninjas secured a decisive 10-3 victory over the Falcons. Key to the Ninjas’ win were standout performances from core players Chase Kydd, Solomon Miller, and Kenolyi Ollivierre, who controlled both ends of the court from opening whistle to final buzzer.

    The youth action continued shortly after with a matchup in the Under-16 Division, where defending league champions the Golden Knights delivered a convincing 31-11 win over the challenging Hornets squad. What made this result even more notable was the performance of Golden Knights guard Shyanna King, who finished the game as the contest’s top scorer – marking the first time in more than a decade that a female athlete has earned this distinction at the annual Bequia tournament. In a post-opening statement, the BBA highlighted this moment as a marker of progress, noting the consistent and steady increase in female participation across all of the association’s youth programs and competitive divisions across the island. Micah King led all scorers for the losing Hornets side.

    Following the conclusion of the youth matchups, BBA President Sabrina Mitchell hosted the official opening ceremony, where she extended warm greetings to competing players, thousands of community supporters, and the tournament’s network of local sponsors. Mitchell emphasized how critical private and community backing has been to the growth of basketball in Bequia, offering special recognition to two local businesses, The Chappy House and Frangipani, for their consistent generous support of the association’s annual youth development camps and the long-running tournament itself. Mitchell also shared positive news for the tournament’s future, confirming that additional corporate sponsors are set to join the initiative as the competition progresses through its scheduled rounds.

    The night’s action wrapped up with a highly anticipated competitive matchup in the First Division, where defending champions Court Kings went head-to-head with tournament debutants Smokin’ Aces, a squad made up primarily of emerging talent from across the Southern Grenadines. In what proved to be the most tightly contested game of opening night, Smokin’ Aces pulled off a stunning upset victory, closing out a thrilling 82-78 win after entering halftime trailing the defending champions by just one point, with a first-half score of 36-35.

    Smokin’ Aces’ star Elroy Joseph, who recently represented St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the ANOCES Under-23 3×3 Tournament in Tortola where Team SVG brought home a second-place finish, led the upset with a historic individual performance. Joseph finished the night with 33 total points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, and 1 block, anchoring his squad’s second-half comeback. For the losing Court Kings, forward Augustin Pollard put together a valiant effort in defeat, recording 24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block for the defending champions.

    In post-opening assessments, the BBA declared the tournament’s opening night a resounding success, noting the overwhelming community turnout and electric atmosphere that created a strong foundation for the weeks of competition ahead. Unfortunately, unexpected severe heavy rainfall that hit the island on Sunday forced organizers to postpone all scheduled matchups for that day. BBA officials confirmed that the postponed fixtures will be rescheduled at a later date, with new dates and times announced to the public once confirmed.

    Competitive play is set to resume this coming Wednesday, with three confirmed matchups across the three divisions: the Under-12 Falcons will take on the Ninjas in a rematch of opening night, the Under-16 defending champion Golden Knights will face off against the Titans, and the First Division will see East Blazers square off against the Court Kings, who look to bounce back from their opening night defeat.

    In a public press statement, the Bequia Basketball Association extended an open invitation to all residents and visitors across the island to attend the tournament. “Admission to all matchups is completely free for attendees, and food and non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase from the on-site concession bar throughout the duration of the tournament,” the statement read.

  • Byera Linkers, Famalay & Friends win in Shevern John cricket

    Byera Linkers, Famalay & Friends win in Shevern John cricket

    The 2026 edition of the Shevern John T10 Cricket Tournament wrapped up in thrilling fashion on Sunday at the Owia Playing Field, with two new champions crowned across the men’s and women’s divisions. Byera Linkers took home the men’s title, while Famalay & Friends secured the women’s championship in dominant performances that capped off a successful tournament for the North Windward region.

    In the women’s championship decider, Famalay & Friends delivered a clinical display to crush Warriors 11 by a 10-wicket margin. Warriors 11 won the toss and opted to bat first, but their batting lineup failed to find consistent momentum against disciplined bowling and fielding from Famalay & Friends. They were restricted to a total of just 50 runs from their allotted 10 overs, leaving a manageable target for their opponents.

    Famalay & Friends responded with an unbroken and commanding batting performance, reaching the 51-run required total without losing a single wicket. The emphatic win secured their position as women’s champions, wrapping up an undefeated and impressive campaign throughout the tournament. The side maintained steady composure during the run chase, never giving Warriors 11 any opening to shift momentum back in their favor and closing out the contest with relative ease.

    The men’s final saw another strong showing from the champion side, as Byera Linkers overcame a 66-run target set by Famalay & Friends to claim victory by 7 wickets. Famalay & Friends, already celebrating their women’s title earlier in the day, posted 66 runs after being put in to bat first. Byera Linkers, however, responded with a confident and well-executed chase, finishing the contest at 70 runs for the loss of just 3 wickets.

    The comfortable victory highlighted Byera Linkers’ consistent strength across all stages of the tournament, as they overhauled the target without late drama to lift the men’s championship trophy.

    Following the conclusion of the final matches, the North Windward Sports Committee issued an official statement extending warm congratulations to both title-winning squads. Organizers also praised every participating team for their dedication, high standards of sportsmanship, and the exciting, entertaining cricket they delivered throughout the multi-day competition.

    The press release added special notes of gratitude to Hon. Shevern John, the event’s official sponsors, on-ground volunteers, match officials, attending supporters, and the broader community of North Windward. “Their continued support made this year’s tournament another outstanding success,” the statement read. It went on to note that the annual Shevern John T10 Cricket Tournament serves a dual purpose beyond competition: it provides a high-visibility platform for emerging local cricketing talent to showcase their skills, while simultaneously fostering stronger community cohesion and supporting youth development across the North Windward region.

  • SVGBF host youth basketball camps in August

    SVGBF host youth basketball camps in August

    Basketball development for young talent in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is set to get a major boost this August, after the national basketball governing body announced a full slate of free community-focused youth camps designed to nurture the next generation of players both on and off the hardwood.

    The initiative kicks off this week with a special girls-only opening session, welcoming athletes aged 7 and older. The opening program will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the New Montrose Hard Court, giving young female participants a one-of-a-kind chance to train under elite-level guidance. Leading the opening camp are Vasha Adams, a coach certified by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), and Sancho Lyttle, a native Vincentian who previously competed in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) — the most prestigious professional women’s basketball league in the world. Lyttle’s decades of experience competing at the sport’s highest peak is expected to bring invaluable insight and motivation to the next generation of local female players.

    Following the opening girls-focused session, the federation will roll out two back-to-back one-week co-ed camps, open to all boys and girls aged 7 and older. The first co-ed camp will take place August 10 to 14 at the New Montrose Hard Court. The series will then move to the Chili Hard Court in Georgetown for the second camp, held August 17 to 21, a geographic shift designed to expand access and ensure young athletes from communities across the entire country get the chance to participate, regardless of their location.

    All daily camp sessions follow the same 9:30 a.m. to noon schedule, and participating youth will receive complimentary event T-shirts and light refreshments during activities. In an official press statement announcing the program, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Basketball Federation (SVGBF) emphasized that these youth camps are a core component of the organization’s long-term strategic plan to grow basketball and build a strong pipeline of homegrown talent.

    Beyond teaching core basketball fundamentals — including dribbling technique, passing accuracy, shooting form, defensive positioning, and in-game decision making — the program prioritizes building critical life skills that extend far beyond the court. Organizers have placed intentional focus on fostering discipline, collaborative teamwork, respectful sportsmanship, youth safeguarding, and strong self-esteem among all participants. The SVGBF’s ultimate goal is to use basketball as a vehicle to equip young people with the confidence and transferable life tools they need to thrive not just as athletes, but as active members of their local communities.

    Parents and guardians interested in registering their children for the camps can access application forms through the federation’s official social media channels. Forms are posted on the SVGBF’s Instagram account (@svg_basketball) and Facebook page (@SVGBasketball). For additional questions or more information about the program, interested parties can contact the SVGBF directly by phone at +1 (784) 498-2919.

  • Pompey Foundation celebrates Strides of Freedom

    Pompey Foundation celebrates Strides of Freedom

    On the morning of August 1, 42 runners ranging in age from 4 to 75 years old lined up along the Marisule-Bois d’Orange Highway for the annual Pompey Golden Mile, a community race that blends athletic competition with Emancipation Day commemoration. Organized by the John Pompey Foundation with on-the-ground support from the Morne Stars Athletics Club and official backing from the Saint Lucia Athletics Association, the event stretched from a starting line at Northern Electrical to a finish line outside Glace Supermarine, uniting runners of all ages and backgrounds from across Saint Lucia and beyond in a celebration of freedom and sport.

    The 2026 iteration of the run featured a remarkably diverse field of participants: 16 runners under the age of 15, 21 competitors under 20, and five seasoned athletes over the age of 50. Competitors traveled from across the island, with groups joining from the southern districts of Dennery and Vieux Fort, a large contingent of club runners from the island’s north, and one international participant who traveled to Saint Lucia from Kenya via Trinidad and Tobago.

    When the final runner crossed the finish line, Kenyan-born competitor Alex Ekesa claimed the men’s open title with a blistering time of 4:46.23. Asa Francis, a Vieux Fort native competing while home from studies at Coppin State University, took second place with a time of 4:51.38, while Kenrick James rounded out the men’s podium in 5:22.34. In the women’s division, Maiya Landers, a high school runner based in the United States, secured both the open women’s title and the junior women’s crown, crossing the line in 6:27.03 to place 14th overall. McKayla Olivier finished just 0.45 seconds behind Landers to take second place in the women’s open division, with Jayla Sayers claiming third in 6:37.03.

    Additional age-group titles went to Traie Constantine, who finished first in the junior men’s division with a time of 5:43.59; Sheba Jn Pierre, who topped the Under-15 girls’ standings in 8:14.41; and Kaylee O’Reilly, who claimed the Under-15 boys’ title with a time of 9:06.84. The event also recognized its most experienced and youngest participants: Charles Sayers and Rose Marie Casimir were honored as the oldest male and female competitors, while Samiel Williams and Melania Etienne took pride of place as the youngest finishing runners.

    For the John Pompey Foundation, an organization that has invested more than a decade into supporting youth development and grassroots sports across Saint Lucia, the Golden Mile is far more than a running race—it is a deliberate effort to tie athletic achievement to historical remembrance of Emancipation. John Pompey, founder of the foundation, framed the 2026 event as a fitting tribute to the meaning of the holiday. “This year’s run was a monument to freedom,” Pompey said in comments following the race. “Every stride taken on this historic day honours the path paved by past generations, proving that the pursuit of excellence is one of the truest expressions of liberty.”

    Pompey extended gratitude to all participants who joined the celebration of freedom through sport, singling out event partners for their critical support. “We are indebted to Alex and all the other runners for coming out and celebrating strides of freedom with us,” he said. “I want to say a special note of thanks to Morne Stars Athletics Club, who did most of the organisation on the ground, and the Saint Lucia Athletics Association, especially Patrick Mathurin, who supported starting and timing.”

    Beyond the annual Golden Mile, the John Pompey Foundation maintains a long-standing record of supporting community sports across the island. The organization has regularly donated barrels of sporting equipment, groceries, and food to grassroots athletic clubs throughout Saint Lucia, and has hosted community sports events including the Golden Mile for more than 10 years. Following the 2026 edition, foundation leadership declared the event a total success, highlighting the cross-generational turnout as a sign of the race’s growing resonance with local communities.

  • Jokers, Blue Ice crowned Carnival rugby champions

    Jokers, Blue Ice crowned Carnival rugby champions

    On August 1, the sun-drenched pitches of the Francis Baba Lastic Grounds — widely counted among the most breathtaking rugby venues in the region — played host to a landmark edition of the annual International Carnival Sevens: Rugby In Paradise. For the fifth consecutive year, the tournament brought together elite rugby talent from across the globe, wrapping up a full day of nonstop action with Martinique Jokers and Blue Ice claiming the men’s and women’s championship titles respectively.

    Nearly 100 competitors hailing from seven different countries and territories took to the field across eight hours of competition, contesting 22 hard-fought matches that showcased the growing depth of sevens rugby across the Caribbean and North America. For local organizers at the Saint Lucia Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), the 2026 tournament carried extra historical weight: SLRFU Technical Director Wayne Pantor confirmed that 45 Saint Lucian youth players took part in the regional event, marking the largest single-contigent of local youth players ever to compete at an international rugby tournament hosted on the island.

    The men’s championship final delivered every bit of the high-stakes drama fans anticipated, as the Martinique Jokers faced off against Canada’s Canadian Pirates in a back-and-forth thriller that came down to the final whistle. When the clock expired, the Jokers held onto a narrow 21-19 victory to claim the 2026 crown, capping off an undefeated tournament run. Martinique Jokers’ standout Fabien Da Silva earned the Men’s Most Valuable Player award, honored both for his tournament-leading point total and his role as a unifying offensive leader that drove the team’s championship chemistry.

    In the men’s consolation matches, Guyana Police Falcons secured a dominant third-place finish with a 29-0 shutout win over Martinique’s MADA side. The Plate Final, a showdown between two domestic Saint Lucian squads, saw the Rogues claim a tight 5-0 victory over Saint Lucia Select in a physically demanding contest that highlighted the strength of local rugby development on the island.

    The women’s division brought its own dose of excitement, with the championship decided via a best-of-three series between Blue Ice and Blue Flames. Both rosters featured rising talent from across the Caribbean, with players drawn from Saint Lucia, Grenada, Guyana, and St Vincent & the Grenadines, emphasizing the cross-regional collaboration that has become a core pillar of growing women’s rugby in the region.

    After splitting the first two matches — Blue Ice taking the opener 15-5, and Blue Flames evening the series with a 22-12 second win — the two sides met in a decisive final game to determine the title. Blue Ice pulled away late to secure a 15-7 victory and claim the women’s crown. Guyana youth standout Jelena Shepherd, who finished the tournament as the leading try scorer, took home Women’s Most Valuable Player honors for her consistent dominant play throughout the competition.

  • Grenadian swimmers raise bar on regional and international stage

    Grenadian swimmers raise bar on regional and international stage

    Grenada’s competitive swimming scene is riding a wave of historic momentum, as the island nation’s athletes turn in standout results across top regional and international competitions, earning new national records and unprecedented milestones that have cemented the program’s rising global profile. The Grenada Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) is celebrating the string of breakthrough achievements from its swimmers, who have put Grenadian swimming on the map with consistent, high-level performances this season.

    At the recently completed Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, the Grenadian delegation delivered one of the strongest showings in the country’s swimming history, bringing home three new national records and a groundbreaking first for the island. Nineteen-year-old Zackary Gresham led the charge, turning in a career-best performance that saw him claim two new national marks: one in the 50m Butterfly and another in the 100m Backstroke. More notably, Gresham advanced to the semifinal round of both events, marking the first time any Grenadian swimmer has reached this stage of competition at the Commonwealth Games — a historic first for the nation’s aquatic sports program. Young talent Tilly Collymore joined Gresham in the record books, clocking a new national best in the 200m Freestyle to round out Grenada’s successful run in Glasgow.

    Parallel to the Commonwealth Games success, Grenada also earned strong results at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Swimming Championships hosted in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where two of the nation’s top swimmers held their own against the region’s most competitive aquatic athletes. Gabrielle Hyson put on a stunning display to qualify for the A Final of the 200m Butterfly, finishing 6th overall in a field of elite regional competitors, while also booking a spot in the B Final of the 100m Butterfly. Her teammate Jacob Collymore matched her strong form, advancing to the B Final of both the 200m Butterfly and 200m Freestyle events, extending Grenada’s streak of strong international showings.

    GASA leadership has credited much of this recent success to the hard work and dedication of the program’s coaching staff. The association extended formal gratitude to Damique Walters, who led the Commonwealth Games delegation, and Tendai Haukozi, head coach for the CAC Championships team, noting that their expert guidance and consistent mentorship have been foundational to the growth and competitive success of Grenadian swimming at all levels.

    Building on these recent breakthroughs, GASA has turned its focus to the upcoming 30th Goodwill Swimming Championships, scheduled to take place August 14–16, 2026 at the National Aquatics Centre in Couva, Trinidad. After a rigorous series of selection evaluations, the association has officially announced the full age-group roster of athletes selected to represent Grenada at the regional competition.

    The 2026 Team Grenada roster breaks down by age group as follows: for the 8 & Under division, Ava John and Tyrick Hackett earned selection; the 9–10 age group will be represented by Leah Boatswain, Keshon Cobb, and Ethan Williams Clermont; the 11–12 division includes Evie Twum Barimah, Payton DeFreitas, Mateo Thomas, Kai Ledlow, and Cassius Purcell; Tyrese Braveboy and Leondre Baptiste will compete in the 13–14 division; and the 15–17 division roster features Aresha Regis, Mark Mitchell, Jonathan Ratoo, Kaleb Williams, and Tariq Bethel. Nataly Regis will serve as head coach for the delegation.

    Currently, all selected team members are undergoing an intensive, multi-faceted training camp designed to peak their performance ahead of the August championships. Training modules include regular health screenings, dryland strength and conditioning assessments, in-water technique evaluations, and targeted mobility sessions, all aimed at boosting overall fitness and competitive readiness for the young athletes.

    As one of the Caribbean’s leading elite age-group swimming competitions, the Goodwill Championships serves a critical role in nurturing emerging Caribbean aquatic talent, providing up-and-coming swimmers with invaluable high-stakes competition experience that prepares them for future regional and international events. For Grenada’s developing program, the tournament offers a key opportunity to test its next generation of talent against top regional peers.

    GASA has issued formal congratulations to all swimmers who earned selection to the 2026 team, and extended appreciation to the broad network of supporters that make the program’s work possible: including coaching staff, team parents, event officials, corporate sponsors, and community volunteers who contribute to the growth of swimming across Grenada.

    With national records falling regularly, more swimmers advancing to late rounds of top international competitions, and a talented young generation already preparing to carry the program forward, GASA leaders say the future of Grenadian swimming is brighter than ever. As Team Grenada makes its final preparations for the 2026 Goodwill Championships, the association remains committed to continuing its work developing competitive athletes that will make the island nation proud at every level of international competition.

  • Historic wins for Saint Lucia at CAC Games table tennis

    Historic wins for Saint Lucia at CAC Games table tennis

    The 25th Central American and Caribbean Games hosted a landmark moment for table tennis from the English-speaking Caribbean over the weekend, as Saint Lucia’s men’s and women’s teams marked their first-ever appearance at this elite regional competition, securing three impressive group stage victories against higher-ranked opponents.

    As the only nation from the English-speaking Caribbean to qualify both men’s and women’s squads for the Games’ table tennis team event, Saint Lucia entered the group phase draw at Santo Domingo’s Pabellón de Tenis de Mesa with little expectation, facing a stacked field of regional powerhouses. The underdog team quickly proved their potential, picking up three match wins across the weekend’s fixtures, even though neither squad advanced past the group stage to the knockout quarterfinals.

    In Group A, the Saint Lucian men’s side got off to a tough start on Saturday, falling to defending regional powerhouse Mexico in a 3-0 clean sweep. The Mexican squad dominated the scoreboard across all three matches, outpointing their younger opponents 99-44 overall. Young gun Dario Arce and veteran Marcos Madrid handily defeated 21-year-old DeAndre Calderon and 15-year-old Leshon Francis 3-0 in the opening doubles tie, with set scores of 11-5, 11-3, 11-4. Mexico’s 21-year-old Rogelio Castro followed with a straight-sets win over Manie Eleuthere, and Madrid closed out the tie with a 3-0 victory over Calderon.

    The men’s side bounced back against Costa Rica, picking up two of their three overall tournament wins in the tie. Calderon and Francis claimed a doubles victory to open the tie, outlasting Jeison Martinez and Daniel Araya 3-1 after dropping the third set following dominant opening two games. After 17-year-old Gabriel Quiros pulled out a five-set win for Costa Rica over Eleuthere to level the tie, Calderon responded with a hard-fought five-set triumph of his own over Araya to restore Saint Lucia’s lead. Despite the early lead, Costa Rica rallied: Quiros defeated Francis in straight sets to level the tie 2-2, and Martinez closed out the match with a straight-sets win over Eleuthere to claim the quarterfinal spot, ending Saint Lucia’s men’s campaign.

    Over in Group D, Saint Lucia’s 12th-seeded women’s squad faced off against fourth-seeded host side Dominican Republic, where Shatal Charles claimed the team’s third and final win of the tournament with a stunning comeback. After the hosts took the opening doubles tie and Eva Brito won a straight-sets match against Cherese Darcheville, Charles found herself down 0-2 to Yasiris Ortiz. Over 30 minutes of play, she clawed her way back to win three straight sets, taking the match 3-2 (5-11, 2-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-8) for the squad’s only point of the tie. Brito closed out the match for the hosts with a straight-sets win over Zarianna Anthony, handing the Dominican side a 3-1 victory.

    On Sunday, Saint Lucia’s women’s side faced another regional powerhouse in Cuba, who shut out the underdog squad 3-0. Cuba’s Estela Crespo and Rosalba Aguiar won a straight-sets doubles win over Anthony and Charles, Daniela Fonseca dominated Darcheville, and Aguiar claimed her own five-set comeback win over Charles to close out the tie.

    While neither team advanced to the knockout rounds, the three wins posted by the first-time Saint Lucian squads mark a historic milestone for table tennis development in the small island nation, proving that emerging athletes from smaller Caribbean territories can compete with some of the region’s best competitors.

  • Young talents impress, but Saint Lucia fails to reach Super 50 final

    Young talents impress, but Saint Lucia fails to reach Super 50 final

    The Windward Islands Super 50 Men’s Competition has seen a major shake-up in its 2024 title race, as defending champions Team Saint Lucia have officially been knocked out of contention to retain their crown, falling short of qualifying for this year’s championship final.

    On Monday, Saint Lucia will shift focus to the third-place playoff, where they will face off against Grenada to close out their tournament run. With the defending champions out of the top two race, the path to the trophy is now clear for two other Caribbean sides: Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines, who will clash in the highly anticipated final to decide this year’s tournament winner.

    While the early exit marks a disappointing end to Saint Lucia’s campaign, the tournament has offered plenty of bright spots for the side, with multiple players turning in standout performances that hint at strong future prospects for cricket in the nation.

    On the bowling front, versatile all-rounder Jaden Elibox delivered a career-defining spell during Saint Lucia’s seven-wicket win over Dominica on July 31. Elibox put on a masterclass of line and length bowling, claiming five key opposition wickets while conceding just 21 runs total, single-handedly dismantling Dominica’s batting order to secure the win for his side.

    In a hard-fought loss to Grenada on August 2, rising fast-bowling prospect Joshua Cepal also turned heads with a impressive performance despite his team’s defeat. Bowling a full seven-over spell, Cepal picked up four wickets while giving up only 37 runs, cementing his reputation as one of the most promising young talents in Saint Lucia’s current cricket setup. His strong showing this tournament comes as no surprise to regional cricket observers, after he earned a selection to an exclusive West Indies fast-bowling development camp earlier this year.

    Saint Lucia’s batters also delivered several memorable innings throughout the group stage. Young batting sensation Theo Edward put on a power-hitting display against Dominica, smashing a rapid 66 runs off just 46 deliveries. His knock included six beautifully struck fours and four towering sixes, bringing his side close to victory in a thrilling contest. Before that explosive innings, veteran batter Stephen Naitram and the in-form Elibox produced solid batting performances in a narrow three-wicket loss to St Vincent and the Grenadines. Naitram scored a steady 68 runs off 68 deliveries, while Elibox hit a blistering 75 runs off only 40 balls, nearly chasing down St Vincent and the Grenadines’ total in a thrilling late-match comeback bid.

  • Dominican Republic wins mixed 4×400 relay gold with record-breaking performance

    Dominican Republic wins mixed 4×400 relay gold with record-breaking performance

    On a celebratory night in front of thousands of cheering local fans at Santo Domingo’s Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino delivered a legendary final leg to carry the Dominican Republic to its first-ever mixed 4×400-meter relay gold medal at the 2026 XXV Central American and Caribbean Games. Paulino’s blistering closing run not only secured the top spot on the podium but also set a new regional record of 3:10.57, marking one of the most iconic achievements of this year’s event.

    The Dominican quartet, made up of opening sprinter Erick Sánchez, second leg runner Anabel Medina, third leg competitor Christopher Melenciano, and anchor Paulino, put on a masterclass of teamwork and speed that left the home crowd roaring. When the race began, Sánchez held his own against a stacked field of elite sprinters from across the region, setting a solid foundation for his teammates before passing the baton to Medina. Medina extended the team’s position, and Melenciano’s strong third leg saw the Dominican team hand off to Paulino in second place, just a few meters behind the race leaders.

    With the entire stadium on its feet, Paulino unleashed one of her signature powerful closing sprints, eating into the lead gap with every step before overtaking the front-runner in the final 100 meters. As she crossed the finish line, the Olympic champion raised her baton high in victory, triggering wild celebrations among the thousands of local fans packed into the stands. For Paulino, the win adds another landmark milestone to an already stellar career, while giving the Dominican Republic a crucial addition to its overall medal haul at the 2026 CAC Games hosted on home soil.

  • Chevrier in medal position at CAC Games

    Chevrier in medal position at CAC Games

    As the preliminary round of the ILCA 7 men’s laser radial sailing competition reaches its midpoint at the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games, hosted in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, two-time Olympic sailor Luc Chevrier of Saint Lucia has emerged as a top contender to secure a spot in Friday’s highly anticipated medal round.

    With five of the scheduled 10 preliminary races completed, the 27-year-old, who claimed bronze at the 2023 CAC Games, currently sits in third place in the overall rankings, sitting only two points behind the event leaders. The regatta launched with a competitive field of 18 skilled sailors from across the region.

    Chevrier got off to a blistering start on the opening day of racing on Saturday. He claimed victory in the very first race of the competition, followed by a solid third-place finish in the day’s second heat, trailing leaders Sebastian Kempe of Bermuda and Pedro Fernandez of Puerto Rico. He closed out the opening day of action with another win in the third race, cementing his status as one of the regatta’s top performers.

    When racers returned to the course at Punta Salinas Beach on Sunday, they were met with favorable racing conditions: warm coastal waters and steady, consistent wind. Chevrier posted consistent fourth-place results in both the fourth and fifth races of the series, while Joshua Higgins of The Bahamas claimed third place in both of Sunday’s heats.

    Following the first five races, Kempe and Fernandez enter the break tied at the top of the overall standings with just seven points apiece. Kempe holds the tiebreaker advantage thanks to two first-place finishes across the opening five races. Chevrier trails narrowly at nine points, putting him well within striking distance of the lead ahead of the remaining preliminary races. As of Monday morning, Mexico’s Gerardo Rodriguez holds fourth place overall, with Higgins in fifth.

    Competitors are scheduled to take a rest day on Monday, before returning to the water for three more preliminary races on Tuesday and an additional two races on Wednesday. Once all 10 preliminary heats are completed, the top 10 ranked sailors will advance to the gold medal fleet racing, set to take place on Friday.

    Beyond competing for a CAC Games medal, Chevrier is also chasing a qualifying spot for the 2026 Pan American Games regatta in Lima, Peru. To secure his place at next year’s event, the Saint Lucian champion needs to finish among the top two sailors from countries that have not already confirmed a quota spot for the 2027 Pan Am Games. As things stand halfway through the preliminary round, Chevrier is holding down a qualifying position, putting his Pan Am dream well within reach.