Carib Scope

分类： sports

  • Ortega, Vera set for GT Challenge battle at Bushy Park

    Ortega, Vera set for GT Challenge battle at Bushy Park

    The stage is set for the first-ever Fast Parts Caribbean GT Challenge, which will roar to life at Barbados’ iconic Bushy Park circuit across August 29 and 30, as two class points leaders prepare to defend their top positions against a stacked international field of GT racing competitors.

    Coming into the weekend’s fourth round of the wider GT Challenge de las Américas series, Costa Rican driver Gustavo Ortega carries both the overall GT Challenge points lead and the top spot in the GTS class, driving for AP Racing in a high-performance Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2. Ortega’s 2024 season has been nothing short of dominant, with wins across the first three rounds of the championship hosted in Panama, a remarkable comeback that stunned fans and competitors alike.

    Weeks before the 2024 season kicked off, Ortega survived a serious motorcycle accident that left him with seven fractured ribs and a broken collarbone. Many doubted he would be able to compete at full strength this year, but the seasoned racer defied all expectations to climb back into the cockpit and claim back-to-back strong results. His recent winning streak extends beyond the Caribbean and Central American series, with top finishes in FARA and Trans Am racing events across North America, and he already holds two national GT3 championship titles in his home country of Costa Rica.

    Earlier this month, the series held its third round at Guyana’s South Dakota Circuit, where Ortega delivered consistent performances: he crossed the line fourth in the opening race and third in his class in the second event. These solid results allowed him to hold onto his lead in both the GTS class standings and the overall series rankings heading into the Barbados round.

    When he’s not focused on taking the checkered flag at Bushy Park, Ortega says he is planning to extend his stay to enjoy all that Barbados has to offer, alongside his family, who travels with him to every event. “Even though my family comes with me to all races, this one we’re staying a few extra days, not just for practice and the race weekend,” Ortega explained. “I’ve visited Barbados before but only for a short trip. The country is so beautiful that this time we’re going to take the chance to explore a little and make the most of our time here.”

    In the GTS Lights class, a division built for one-make “Cup” race cars including the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and Lamborghini Super Trofeo, Puerto Rican driver Ricardo Vera enters the weekend as the standing points leader. Piloting his Team Speedway Lamborghini ST, Vera faced a challenging outing at the Guyana round earlier in August: he claimed seventh place in the opening race but was forced to withdraw before the start of the second event. Despite the disappointing weekend, Vera held onto his top position in the GTS Lights standings, though his lead has narrowed to just nine points going into the Bushy Park round, setting up a tense battle for the class lead this weekend.

  • New Owners Take Control of Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Ahead of CPL Season

    New Owners Take Control of Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Ahead of CPL Season

    A major ownership shift has hit the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) circuit, as the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons franchise has been purchased by a group of Pakistani investors headquartered in the United States. According to Sabina Webster, the Falcons’ head of operations, the acquisition covers Worldwide Sports Operations, the parent company that holds full ownership rights to the CPL franchise.

    Despite the change in leadership, Webster emphasized that day-to-day franchise operations will not face any disruptions as the team gears up for the 2026 CPL season. Instead of upheaval, she framed the transition as an opportunity for growth, noting that fans and stakeholders can expect only meaningful, positive change going forward. The new ownership group has made clear its deep commitment to advancing sports development, with a specific focus on growing cricket across the region.

    Webster added that the new owners have laid out two core early priorities: expanding the franchise’s existing community outreach programs and investing in the development of young domestic cricketers, with the goal of nurturing emerging talent that can climb the ranks to professional international cricket. Contrary to speculation about a potential rebrand, the Falcons will retain their current name, logo, and full organizational identity, with no changes planned to the franchise’s public image.

    Preparations for the upcoming season are already well underway. The franchise launched its official pre-season training camp on the island of Antigua on July 31, with all members of the squad housed at The Verandah Resort throughout the camp period. Webster explained that the in-person camp is designed to help players build on-field chemistry, work through tactical preparations, and get into peak physical condition ahead of the tournament’s opening matches.

    Off the field, work is progressing to upgrade and prepare the iconic Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, the Falcons’ home ground, for upcoming matches during the season. Local industry leader Leon “Kuma” Rodney has been tapped to lead all venue preparation efforts to ensure the facility meets CPL tournament standards.

    The Falcons are scheduled to kick off their 2026 CPL campaign on August 7 at Arnos Vale Stadium in St. Vincent, where they will face off against the CPL’s newest expansion side, the Jamaica Kingsmen. Two days after their opening match, on August 9, the team will return to the same venue to compete against the St. Lucia Kings.

    In a move that has drawn attention from regional cricket fans, the franchise announced back in May that it had secured the signature of star fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, an Antigua native and key member of the West Indies men’s national cricket team. Joseph, who previously represented the St. Lucia Kings during his CPL career, will bring veteran bowling experience to the Falcons’ 2026 squad.

  • Swimming record smashed at CAC Games

    Swimming record smashed at CAC Games

    As the 2025 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games entered another day of competition at their host venue in the Dominican Republic on Friday, Barbadian athletes delivered a mix of breakthrough achievement and hard-fought defeats across three different sports.

    The highlight of the day for the Caribbean nation came from its aquatics program, where a four-person mixed relay team etched their names into Barbadian sports history. Swimmers Amani Miller, Heidi Stoute, Danielle Treasure and Jake Chee-A-Tow took to the pool for the opening heat of the 4x100m mixed freestyle relay, delivering a coordinated, consistent performance that earned them a third-place finish in the heat. More importantly, the team clocked a final time of 3:44.42, smashing the previous national record of 3:38.16 that had stood for just three years, having first been set in August 2025.

    Across other competition venues, Barbadian athletes faced tougher outcomes on the day. In men’s Group A hockey action, the national side fell to a 3-0 shutout defeat at the hands of Mexico, a top-ranked regional opponent that controlled possession and scoring chances for most of the match.

    On the wrestling mat, two Barbadian competitors also navigated a mixed slate of matches in their weight classes. Eighty-six-kilogram wrestler Nathan Pond opened his day with a lopsided 10-0 loss to Mexico’s Kevin De Leon, but bounced back quickly to secure a 5-0 victory by forfeit over Ethan Ramos of Puerto Rico. Pond could not carry that momentum into his final match of the day, however, falling to home crowd favorite Christopher Foca of the Dominican Republic. In the 125kg division, Barbadian wrestler Emmerson Hurley also ended the day with a defeat, dropping a 4-0 decision to Mexico’s Leonard Guerrero.

    The CAC Games continue through the coming week, with Barbadian athletes set to compete in dozens of additional events across the region’s premier multi-sport competition.

  • Champions League 2026 : Victory against El Salvador, Haiti qualifies for the quarter-finals (video)

    Champions League 2026 : Victory against El Salvador, Haiti qualifies for the quarter-finals (video)

    The 2026 CONCACAF U-20 Champions League hosted in Puebla, Mexico, delivered a pivotal moment for Haiti’s young men’s national team, dubbed the Grenadiers, on July 31. In their third and final Group A stage match against El Salvador’s Cuscatlecos at Estadio Universitario BUAP, Haiti pulled off a tense 2-1 victory to punch their ticket to the tournament’s quarterfinal round, marking their second win of the group stage.

    Cuban head coach Raul Gonzalez Triana opted for consistency in his game-day selection, fielding the exact starting eleven that secured a dramatic 3-2 win over Cuba earlier in the group stage. The team lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, with goalkeeper Carlos Bré of Haiti’s Real Hope FA leading the backline, captained by Real Hope FA defender Arthur Alcimé. The starting squad featured a mix of domestic and international-based talent, with players plying their trade at clubs across Haiti, Jamaica, and the United States.

    The match got off to a strong start for Haiti, with forward Clavens Exantus breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute. Exantus clinically converted a precision through ball from winger Emerson Laissé to put Haiti up 1-0 heading into halftime. The narrative shifted dramatically in the 56th minute, when midfielder Shaun A. Brun was shown a red card for a foul inside the penalty area, reducing Haiti to 10 men and handing El Salvador a golden equalizing opportunity. Salvadoran forward Christian Coreas made no mistake from the penalty spot, leveling the score at 1-1.

    Just 16 minutes later, second-half substitute D. Jacquet—who entered the match at the start of halftime to replace Nikolai Pierre—restored Haiti’s lead. Jacquet netted a well-placed header from the center of the penalty area off a rebounded attempt, putting Haiti ahead 2-1 in the 62nd minute. Haiti held on through the final 30 minutes of play, despite their numerical disadvantage, to secure the full three points.

    In additional substitutions made during the match, J. Ortiz replaced Clavens Exantus in the 60th minute, J. Anglade came on for Ramy Fabilus in the 84th minute, and J. Charles replaced Emerson Laissé in second-half stoppage time.

    After the conclusion of all Group A matches, the final group standings placed the United States atop the table with a perfect record of three wins from three matches, 11 goals scored and zero conceded, earning nine points. Haiti finished second with six points from two wins and one loss, having scored five goals and conceded six. Cuba claimed third place with three points, while El Salvador finished bottom of the group with zero points.

    As Group A’s second-place finisher, Haiti will advance to the quarterfinals, where they are scheduled to face Costa Rica’s Ticos at Puebla’s Cuauhtémoc Stadium on August 5, 2026 (the date may shift to August 4 pending final confirmation of group stage standings, which wrap up on August 1). A win in the quarterfinal will see Haiti qualify for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup, marking a potentially historic milestone for the nation’s youth football program.

  • Robinhood strandt in halve finale CFU Club Shield met 3-1 nederlaag tegen Mount Pleasant FA

    Robinhood strandt in halve finale CFU Club Shield met 3-1 nederlaag tegen Mount Pleasant FA

    In a tense 2026 CFU Club Shield semi-final clash held in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday, Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant FA defeated Suriname’s SV Robinhood 3-1 to secure a spot in the tournament’s championship match, ending Robinhood’s impressive run in the regional competition.

    Mount Pleasant came out of the gate with clear control of the match, dictating play through sustained possession and putting the Surinamese side under constant defensive pressure. Their early dominance paid off in the 32nd minute, when defender Daniel Green was fouled inside the 18-yard box. The referee immediately awarded a penalty, and forward Trayvone Reid converted the spot kick flawlessly to put Mount Pleasant up 1-0, a scoreline that held through halftime.

    Robinhood emerged from the locker room after the break with renewed attacking intent, hoping to flip the script of the match. However, their improved momentum was short-lived. In the 57th minute, Jashaun Anglin capitalized on a costly defensive mistake from Robinhood, slotting home a misplayed backpass to double Mount Pleasant’s lead to 2-0.

    The Jamaican side put the result beyond doubt with nine minutes remaining in regulation. Robinhood goalkeeper Fonkel misjudged a long-range strike from Demario Phillips, incorrectly assuming the attempt was a cross into the box. The ball sailed past him into the far corner of the net, pushing Mount Pleasant’s advantage to 3-0.

    Though the match was all but decided, Robinhood refused to capitulate. In the 90th minute, striker Gilberto Cronie scored a late consolation goal for the Surinamese outfit, rounding out the final score at 3-1. While official possession statistics show only a narrow 52% to 48% split in Mount Pleasant’s favor, the Jamaican side held the initiative for nearly the entire 90 minutes. Robinhood struggled to build play out from under Mount Pleasant’s relentless pressing, which forced the errors that their opposition ultimately turned into match-winning goals.

    The defeat brings an end to a standout campaign for SV Robinhood in the 2026 CFU Club Shield. The Surinamese semi-champions booked their semi-final spot with back-to-back wins over Saint Lucia’s La Clery FC (2-0) and Guyana’s Slingerz FC, reaffirming their status as one of the most successful clubs in the tournament’s history. Robinhood previously claimed the CFU Club Shield title in 2019 and 2023.

    For Mount Pleasant, the victory advances the club to the tournament final scheduled for Sunday, 2 August. They will face the winner of the second semi-final fixture between Puerto Rico’s Metropolitan FA and the Dominican Republic’s Delfines del Este. Both the finalists and the overall champion of the 2026 CFU Club Shield will qualify for the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, the top-tier club football competition for the Caribbean region.

  • Saint Lucia concludes participation at Commonwealth Games

    Saint Lucia concludes participation at Commonwealth Games

    After four days of competitive action at the 2014 Commonwealth Games hosted in Glasgow, Scotland, the tiny track and field delegation from the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia has wrapped up its tournament run. While none of the team’s athletes advanced to a final event, the competition offered critical developmental and qualifying experience for rising stars, including one sprinter already bound for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

    Leading the team’s performance was 23-year-old sprinter Michael Joseph, a resident of Gros Islet who currently competes collegiately at the University of Arkansas and holds Saint Lucia’s national record in the men’s 400-meter event. A 2022 Commonwealth Games finalist, Joseph kicked off his Glasgow campaign in the opening round of the men’s 400m on Tuesday. Drawn to the unfavored outer Lane 8, he held strong pacing through the race to cross the line third in his heat with a time of 45.84 seconds, securing a spot in the event’s semifinal round.

    On Thursday, Joseph took to the track at EDF Scotstoun Stadium for his semifinal matchup, this time drawn to inner Lane 1. He crossed the finish line sixth in his semi with a time of 46.69 seconds, placing 13th overall across all semifinalists and falling just short of qualifying for the event’s final. Despite the early exit, the performance adds to Joseph’s resume ahead of his upcoming appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

    Joseph was not the only Saint Lucian 400m sprinter in Glasgow. Marvric Pamphile, a 31-year-old Choiseul native serving as a soldier in the British Army, also competed in the opening round of the men’s 400m on Tuesday. Pamphile recorded a time of 47.12 seconds in his heat, finishing 19th overall in the opening round and did not advance to the next stage of competition.

    The first Saint Lucian athlete to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow was hurdler Khailan Vitalis, who took on the men’s 110m hurdles in the opening heat round on Monday. Vitalis finished the race with a time of 14.46 seconds, placing 11th overall across all opening heats and missing out on a spot in the next round.

    Unlike his teammates who will return home following the conclusion of the Glasgow Games, Vitalis immediately traveled across the Atlantic Ocean following his competition to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where he is set to compete as the sole track and field athlete representing Saint Lucia at the upcoming Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games. Both the 2014 Commonwealth Games team and the CAC Games delegation are selected and managed under the oversight of the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee.

  • Italiaanse voetballegende Franco Baresi overleden: symbool van loyaliteit en klasse

    Italiaanse voetballegende Franco Baresi overleden: symbool van loyaliteit en klasse

    The global football community is united in grief this week following the announcement of the passing of Franco Baresi, one of the greatest defenders in the history of the sport and a defining icon of both AC Milan and the Italian men’s national football team. The AC Milan board confirmed the news of Baresi’s death at the age of 66 in an official public statement released on Friday.

    A one-club man who dedicated his entire 20-year senior playing career exclusively to AC Milan, Baresi leaves behind a legacy defined by unparalleled loyalty, professional excellence, and on-pitch class. In tribute to his transformative impact on the club, AC Milan retired Baresi’s iconic number 6 shirt in his honor – making him the first player in Italian football history to receive this permanent club honor. In a statement shared by the club, representatives said: “The entire history of AC Milan weeps today.”
    Baresi’s health journey began in August 2025, when he underwent surgery to remove a lung nodule, followed by a course of immunotherapy treatment. His final public appearance came just a few months before his death, when he took part in the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games, carrying the Olympic torch into the San Siro Stadium alongside former Inter Milan defender Giuseppe Bergomi. It was the same ground where Baresi claimed many of his greatest career triumphs.
    Baresi made his senior debut for AC Milan at just 17 years old, and remained unwaveringly loyal to the Rossoneri even when the club was unexpectedly relegated to Serie B in 1982. Remarkably, that same summer, Baresi was part of the Italian squad that won the 1982 FIFA World Cup – a career highlight that cemented his status as a rising star of Italian football. Over the course of his time at AC Milan, he led the club to six Serie A titles, three UEFA Champions League trophies, and a host of other domestic and international honors. His natural leadership and relentless defensive toughness made him the beating heart of AC Milan’s dominant, title-winning sides of the 1980s and 1990s.

    Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was among the first public figures to pay tribute, praising Baresi as a global benchmark of dedication and sporting excellence. “With the passing of Franco Baresi, Italy loses not only one of its greatest ever champions, but also a symbol of loyalty and determination,” Meloni said.
    Baresi’s death comes at a challenging moment for Italian football, which is still reeling after failing to qualify for the upcoming FIFA World Cup – a result that sparked widespread national disappointment and soul-searching across the country. For many observers, Baresi’s enduring legacy of loyalty, resilience, and class stands as a critical guiding light for an Italian football community seeking to rebuild and return to former glories.
    Leading figures from across Italian football have joined fans in honoring Baresi’s memory and his decades-long impact on the sport. His son Giuseppe Baresi, who spent many years as captain of AC Milan’s cross-city rivals Inter Milan, and legendary former Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon were among those to share public tributes. Buffon, who came up against Baresi early in his own career, wrote: “For a boy my age, it was incredible to share the pitch with a champion like him. From that day on, I understood even better what it means to represent football with class, leadership and respect. Ciao Franco. Rest in peace.”
    In 2020, Baresi was named honorary president of AC Milan, and remained actively involved with the club up until his death, a bond that will forever link his name to the Rossoneri’s identity. His legacy stretches far beyond his on-pitch trophy haul: he came to embody core values that unite football and supporters across divides. With his passing, Italian football has lost a legend who stood as a symbol of pride, resilience, and passion for an entire generation. His name will forever remain etched in the hearts of football fans across Italy and around the world.

  • Kings in camp at Daren Sammy Ground ahead of CPL 2026

    Kings in camp at Daren Sammy Ground ahead of CPL 2026

    As the 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) draws near, the Saint Lucia Kings have kicked off their pre-tournament preparation at their home ground, the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, aiming to turn their 2025 regular season dominance into a historic title run. With several key players still tied up with West Indies national team duties and international franchise commitments, the core available squad got an early start to training on Thursday, putting in work ahead of the competition’s August 9 opening fixture.

    Last year, the Kings turned heads across the Caribbean cricket circuit, topping the regular season table with a solid 5-3 win-loss record under the leadership of head coach Daren Sammy. However, their championship push derailed abruptly in the playoffs, where consecutive heartbreaking losses left them eliminated before a shot at the final. To address the gaps that led to that playoff collapse, the franchise’s management has overhauled the roster, with a deliberate focus on expanding the team’s spin bowling options – a move designed to add versatility and pressure on opposing batting lineups across all formats of the T20 competition.

    A number of familiar faces have departed the franchise this offseason, including international stars Alzarri Joseph, David Wiese and Tabraiz Shamsi, as well as fan-favorite local players Johnson Charles and Shadrack Descarte. In their place, the 2024 CPL champions have recruited a talented cohort of global spin talent: Sri Lankan off-break specialists Maheesh Theekshana and Charith Asalanka, and dynamic Afghan left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad. Local fast bowler McKenny Clarke has also made a return to the squad, joining returning local talents Matthew Forde, fast bowler Keon Gaston, and promising young West Indies batsmen Ackeem Auguste and Jewel Andrew. The biggest leadership shift sees Roston Chase, a former CPL Player of the Season, take over as the team’s new captain for the 2026 campaign.

    To consolidate the batting order, the franchise has retained New Zealand batsman Tim Seifert and local standout Johann Jeremiah, and added South African allrounder Schadley van Schalkwyk to the mix. Assistant coach John Eugene expressed confidence that the new blend of seasoned veterans and exciting young prospects will make the Kings a formidable contender in this year’s tournament.

    “I think we have a very good chance of competing and a very good chance of winning,” Eugene told reporters during the first week of training camp. “I think we have some exciting talent, some new faces going into this season, but these are guys who have been in and around the regional circuit. We’re happy to have McKenny back. Keon is back, and Chase is leading. It’s unfortunate that we don’t have Johno [Johnson Charles] at the top, but that’s franchise cricket. We have to move on from there. I think with the blend of the exciting young talent that we have on show, in addition to the seasoned campaigners, we will definitely be a force to be reckoned with.”

    Eugene also praised the appointment of Chase as captain, noting the veteran allrounder has long demonstrated the leadership qualities needed to steer the squad. “I think Roston has grown and shown a lot of maturity, even before you as captain,” Eugene said. “He is one of the guys who, you know, we could have always talked to in terms of advice and whatever it takes, you know, to build the team. So, it’s no surprise that he’s chosen as captain. I am sure he’ll do a fantastic job.”

    The 2026 CPL schedule has set up the Kings perfectly to build early momentum in front of their home fanbase. After opening their campaign on the road against the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons at Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent & the Grenadines on August 9, the team will return to Gros Islet for five consecutive home matches at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. Their home stand kicks off on August 12 against the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, followed by a rematch with the Falcons on August 14, a clash with Shadrack Descarte’s new side Barbados Tridents on August 16, a meeting with the Guyana Amazon Warriors on August 19, and a fixture against the Jamaica Kingsmen on August 21.

    Currently, the Kings are in the middle of a seven-day intensive pre-tournament camp at their home ground, focused on clarifying player roles, aligning on team expectations, and ironing out tactical details ahead of the opening match. “We’re here right now at Daren Sammy in a seven-day camp, and obviously we’re going to look to tick a lot of boxes, a lot of roles and clarity of roles and expectations, you know, going into our first game,” Eugene said. “So, it’s an exciting time for us as usual every year. We’re just looking forward to executing as much as we can over the next seven days.”

  • Saint Lucia to make netball debut at CAC Games

    Saint Lucia to make netball debut at CAC Games

    A historic milestone is on the horizon for Saint Lucian netball, as the nation’s national squad, the Piton Sparks, prepares to make its first-ever appearance at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, hosted this year in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The tournament is scheduled to run from August 3 to 7 at the Juan Bosch City Sports Complex, and the full team is set to depart for the host nation this Friday to acclimate ahead of their opening matches.

    Currently sitting 31st in the global netball rankings, the squad has set clear, ambitious goals for their debut CAC Games campaign. Team captain Melika Destang outlined the group’s objectives in pre-tournament comments, noting that while the team is aiming for competitive wins and a potential podium finish, climbing the regional and world rankings stands as a core priority for this competition.

    Destang also shared details of the team’s rigorous months-long preparation for the event. “Training has gone extremely well, and it’s been very intense,” she explained. “We kicked off with three months of dedicated strength and conditioning work to build our base fitness, then shifted to on-court practice, refining technical skills and game strategy. Everything has come together smoothly through the process.”

    Acknowledging the step up in competition the team will face in Santo Domingo, Destang noted that the CAC Games will pit the Piton Sparks against far stronger opponents than the squad typically faces in regular matchups. “We know this is going to be a very competitive, high-intensity tournament,” she said. “It won’t be easy, but our main aim is to push ourselves and move up the regional ladder, whatever the outcome.”

    Adding a major boost to the squad’s depth is the return of standout athlete Megan Nestor, a successful collegiate and professional basketball star who got her start in netball as a youth athlete. Nestor has stepped back into the netball space specifically to compete in the CAC Games, and says representing her home country at the international level was an opportunity she never considered turning down.

    “Netball will always be my first love,” Nestor told local outlet St Lucia Times. “I picked up basketball because I earned a scholarship for the sport, and I’ve been fortunate to build a really successful career in it that I’m still proud of today. But coming back to my roots, back to the sport where I started, to wear the national jersey – that’s something special I couldn’t pass up.”

    Nestor added that the team’s long-standing chemistry gives them an edge heading into the tournament. “Nearly everyone on this squad has played together for years, so we already know each other’s playing styles, strengths, and weaknesses. That cohesion has made training even smoother, and it’s already showing on the court.”

    Over the five days of competition, the Piton Sparks are scheduled to face five tough regional opponents: Trinidad & Tobago, the host Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Jamaica, and Barbados. Despite the challenging draw, the entire squad has expressed confidence in their preparation and their ability to compete with the region’s top teams, as they make history in their first CAC Games appearance.

  • Joseph, Greaves advance to next round of the Keirin at CAC Games

    Joseph, Greaves advance to next round of the Keirin at CAC Games

    On Thursday, at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games hosted in the Dominican Republic, two Barbadian track cyclists, Amber Joseph and Arielle Greaves, earned their spots in the second round of the women’s Keirin event through two distinct qualification pathways. Joseph claimed an automatic spot in the next stage after crossing the line in second place during Heat Two of the opening round. Greaves, by contrast, faced an uphill battle after finishing sixth in Heat Three, pushing her into the repechage round for a second chance at qualification. Competing in the first repechage heat, Greaves held on to take third place, locking in her berth in the second round and extending Barbados’ presence in the cycling competition.

    Beyond the velodrome, Team Barbados notched another solid win in women’s field hockey, where the national side shut out Jamaica 3-0. All three of the team’s goals came from different scorers: D’jamila Edwards, Anaya Alleyne-Jermaine, and Jada Prescod each found the back of the net to secure the comfortable victory.

    In the pool, Barbadian swimmers turned in a string of consistent performances across multiple events, with several athletes marking personal best times over the two-day competition. On Thursday, Kaija Eastmond competed in two back-to-back events: she placed eighth in Heat Four of the women’s 50m backstroke with a time of 32.07 seconds, then returned shortly after to take seventh place in Heat Two of the women’s 100m butterfly, clocking a 1:09.60. Following Eastmond’s races, Jake Chee-A-Tow hit the pool for the men’s 100m butterfly, finishing seventh in Heat Four with a time of 57.99 seconds.

    The strong swimming performances for Barbados began a day earlier, during Wednesday evening’s competition session, where three athletes turned out personal best times to cap off a solid outing. In the women’s 100m freestyle B final, Danielle Treasure clocked a new personal best of 58.07 seconds to finish fifth. In the A final of the same event, Heidi Stoute also set a new personal record, finishing eighth with a 56.53 second swim. Amani Miller followed suit in the men’s 100m freestyle B final, touching the wall in 53.13 seconds for tenth place, a new personal best for the young swimmer. Chee-A-Tow also notched a top-10 finish on Wednesday, taking 10th place in the 200m butterfly final with a time of 2:09.57.