The future of gymnastics in Trinidad and Tobago (TT) is looking exceptionally promising, as over 170 young athletes demonstrated their talent during the Carifta Gymnastics Trials held on October 11 and 12 at the National Cycling Centre in Couva. The trials, which featured gymnasts aged seven to 19, aimed to select the national team for the upcoming Carifta Gymnastics Championships scheduled for December 6-7 at the same venue. Michelle Frankland, chairperson of the TT Gymnastics Federation’s women’s artistic committee, expressed her enthusiasm for the sport’s rapid growth and increasing competitiveness. ‘The level of our gymnastics in TT is tremendous,’ she said, highlighting the participation of 177 gymnasts across various categories, including the US Artistic Gymnastics and the Pan American Gymnastics Union Hopes. Frankland noted that the sport has expanded significantly, with 15-16 clubs now producing top-tier gymnasts, a marked increase from just a few dominant clubs in previous years. TT is set to host the regional championships for the first time, and Frankland is optimistic about the federation’s renewed energy and purpose. ‘We’re expecting participation from Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Barbados, and others,’ she said. ‘It’s giving our federation a new energy and purpose.’ Christopher George, president of the TT Gymnastics Federation, echoed this optimism, emphasizing the steady improvement of the nation’s gymnasts. ‘Every year, we’re building up on the last,’ George said. ‘We dominated last year and we’re hoping to do it again this year.’ He added that the trials and training are crucial for preparing the athletes to perform at their best, with the ultimate goal of seeing homegrown gymnasts reach the World Championships and Olympics. With four local athletes now competing at level ten, the highest junior tier, George believes the pathway to international success is becoming clearer. ‘It’s monumental,’ he said. ‘We have three years until the Olympics, and it’s quite possible that one of these girls could get an opportunity to compete at the World Champs, and if they train extremely hard, they can get to the Olympics in 2028.’
分类： sports
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Rough start for Trinidad and Tobago at Pan Am Table Tennis Champs
Trinidad and Tobago’s table tennis representatives, Derron Douglas and Imani Edwards-Taylor, encountered a challenging beginning to their 2025 Pan American Table Tennis Championship journey. The tournament commenced on October 12 at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Centre in South Carolina, USA. The duo teamed up for the mixed doubles event but were outplayed by Canada’s Simeon Martin and Natalie Chan, suffering a straight-sets defeat with scores of 4-11, 6-11, and 5-11. Edwards-Taylor then faced a tough battle in the women’s singles round-of-64, losing 4-1 to Mexico’s Monica Munoz. Despite a brief comeback in the fourth set, Edwards-Taylor was overpowered in the decisive fifth set. Similarly, Douglas struggled in the men’s singles, falling 4-0 to Mexico’s Axel Emmanuel Lovo Alvarez, who dominated the match with consistent performances across all sets. The early setbacks have placed Trinidad and Tobago’s athletes under significant pressure as they aim to regroup for their upcoming matches.
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WATCH: JFF, KSAMC sign MOU to waive advertising fees for matches in Kingston
In a landmark move to bolster national football development, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) have formalized a partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MOU). Signed on Monday at the KSAMC office in downtown Kingston, the agreement stipulates that the municipality will waive all advertising fees for football matches held in the Corporate Area. This initiative is expected to provide significant financial relief to the JFF, which previously faced costs of approximately $1 million per match. JFF President Michael Ricketts expressed his enthusiasm, describing the collaboration as a pivotal step forward for the sport. Mayor Andrew Swaby emphasized that the waiver transcends financial support, symbolizing a commitment to Jamaica’s national teams and their potential. He urged citizens to rally behind the Reggae Boyz and Reggae Girlz, who represent the nation’s culture and determination. The agreement comes at a crucial time as the Reggae Boyz prepare for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, with Ricketts reaffirming the team’s resolve to secure a spot in the 2026 tournament.
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Cool It, Xclusive win in Big Ballers Football League
The Big Ballers Football League witnessed another thrilling round of matches on October 11, with Cool It FC and Xclusive FC delivering standout performances. Cool It FC continued their unbeaten streak with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over 1st Engineer Battalion at the Northeastern Regional Multipurpose Sporting Facility in Sangre Grande. The decisive moment came in the second half when Ryan ‘Frye’ Stewart showcased his brilliance with a perfectly executed free kick, securing the win and maintaining their reputation as the league’s most formidable defense.
Meanwhile, Xclusive FC bounced back from their previous defeat with an emphatic 5-1 triumph over Boys Town Strikers. Despite a competitive first half, Xclusive capitalized on a turnover to score the opening goal. Boys Town briefly equalized after the break, but Xclusive quickly regained control, netting three more goals in rapid succession to seal their dominance.
In other league action, Manzanilla Challengers Rebirth defeated Dream Team 3-1, with Jerry Williams, Josimar Belgrave, and Darkeil Ferreira finding the net. Seed of Greatness Biche also impressed, overpowering Eastern County 4-2 with an early goal surge led by Shirvin Charles, Derrick Ali, and Nicholas Lanes.
The league continues on October 17 and 18, with key matchups including Cool It FC vs Dream Team and Seed of Greatness vs Xclusive FC, promising more excitement for football enthusiasts.
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Portmore outscore Cavalier 4-2 as top three win in JPL
The eighth round of the Jamaica Premier League, played under challenging rainy conditions, saw the top three teams solidify their dominance with decisive victories. Montego Bay United, led by Jourdain Fletcher’s double, secured a 2-0 win against Molynes United, extending their winning streak to five games and outscoring their opponents 15-0 in the process. Fletcher’s goals in the 45th and 58th minutes brought his tally to five, tying him with teammate Dwight Miekle for the league’s top scorer. Meanwhile, Racing United ended a three-game goal drought with a commanding 3-0 victory over Spanish Town Police FC, who played the entire second half with 10 men after Anil Ferguson’s red card. Portmore United also bounced back from consecutive draws, overcoming defending champions Cavalier 4-2 in a thrilling match that featured a brace from Ronaldo Robinson. Elsewhere, Mt Pleasant FA climbed to ninth place with a 3-1 win over Chapelton Maroons, while Tivoli Gardens snapped a four-game winless streak with a 2-1 comeback victory against Harbour View. The round also saw a dramatic 0-0 draw between Treasure Beach and Waterhouse FC, where three penalties were missed, and the Arnett Gardens vs. Dunbeholden FC match was postponed due to weather conditions.
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Column: De last van de favoriet
In a stadium brimming with anticipation, Suriname’s national football team, Natio, faced Guatemala in a crucial World Cup qualifier. Despite the absence of key players like Myenty Abena, Liam van Gelderen, and Gyrano Kerk, the team exuded confidence, bolstered by the return of playmaker Tjaronn Chery and the debut of Jay-Roy Grot and Djavan Anderson. The first half saw Natio dominate possession, with Richonell Margaret and Sheraldo Becker leading the charge. However, a lack of precision in the final third kept the scoreline level at halftime. The second half brought a shift in momentum as Guatemala capitalized on a defensive lapse, with Darwin Lom scoring a close-range volley. Natio, visibly shaken, fought back fiercely. In the dying moments, Virgil Misidjan equalized with a powerful strike, sending the stadium into euphoria. The match ended 1-1, setting the stage for a decisive clash against Panama in the next qualifier.
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Belize’s Derrick Chavarria Takes Gold in U23 Time Trial
In a historic moment for Belizean sports, Derrick Chavarria secured the gold medal in the Under-23 Time Trial at the 2025 Caribbean Elite Cycling Championship. This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone for Belize, as the nation hosts the prestigious regional tournament for the first time. The event, which commenced on Friday with an official team presentation at the Belize Biltmore Plaza, has attracted cycling enthusiasts from across the Caribbean, with nineteen nations participating. Chavarria’s triumph not only places Belize prominently on the leaderboard but also sets a positive tone for Team Belize as they prepare for the elite road race scheduled for Sunday. The championship has already drawn substantial crowds, underscoring the growing popularity of cycling in the region and the excitement surrounding this year’s competition.
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Cavalier seek third straight win in clash against Portmore
The Jamaica Premier League heats up this Sunday as defending champions Cavalier aim to solidify their playoff position in a crucial encounter against Portmore United at Stadium East. After a slow start to the season, Cavalier have found their rhythm with back-to-back victories, while Portmore United are struggling to break their streak of consecutive goalless draws. This match could prove pivotal for both teams as they vie for a spot in the top six.
In the first game of the double-header, league leaders Montego Bay United will look to extend their dominance against Molynes United, who are yet to secure a win this season. Montego Bay’s impressive form, highlighted by their 13-0 aggregate score against Molynes in their last four meetings, makes them strong favorites. Meanwhile, Racing United will seek to end their three-game winless run when they host Spanish Town Police FC, who are languishing at the bottom of the table.
Other key fixtures include Waterhouse FC’s visit to Treasure Beach FC, where both teams are unbeaten in their last two games, and Mt Pleasant FA’s clash with Chapelton Maroons, who have struggled after a promising start to the season. Harbour View FC, unbeaten in their last three matches, will face Tivoli Gardens FC, who are desperate to turn their fortunes around after a disappointing run.
Christopher Ainsworth has emerged as Cavalier’s top scorer this season, stepping up in the absence of key players from last year’s championship-winning squad. His four goals so far tie him with Montego Bay’s Dwight Merrick for the league lead. Portmore United’s defense, however, has been a bright spot, conceding just three goals in seven games.
With the playoff race intensifying, Sunday’s matches promise to deliver high drama and pivotal moments that could shape the remainder of the season.
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Garvey Maceo, McGrath and Glenmuir start daCosta Cup Round of 32 with wins
The ISSA daCosta Cup Round of 32 commenced on Saturday with a series of exhilarating matches, showcasing both dominant performances and unexpected upsets. Defending champions Garvey Maceo High set the tone with a commanding 3-0 victory over Old Harbour High, while last season’s finalist, McGrath High, mirrored the scoreline with a win against Morant Bay High. Glenmuir High, breaking a three-game winless streak, triumphed 4-1 over Alphansus Davis High, signaling a strong comeback.
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Jamaica mines silver on day 1 of the Caribbean Elite Road Cycling Championships
Llori Sharpe claimed an impressive second-place finish in the 20km Women’s Elite Individual Time Trial during the opening day of the Caribbean Elite Road Cycling Championships held in Belize. Trinidad & Tobago’s Teniel Campbell dominated the event, clinching the top spot with a remarkable time of 28:39.4 minutes. Sharpe followed closely with a time of 31:58 minutes, while Bermuda’s Gabriella Arnold secured third place, clocking in at 32:15.8 minutes. This achievement marks a significant improvement for Sharpe, who placed fourth in the same event last year. Both Campbell and Sharpe have previously ridden for prestigious European teams—Liv AlUla and CANYON SRAM Generation, respectively. Coach Carlton Simmonds expressed his satisfaction with Sharpe’s performance, especially considering her recovery from a serious injury sustained in August when she was struck off her bike. The competition continues on Sunday with the road race, where Sharpe will tackle the 108km course, while male teammates Andrew Ramsay, Jaequan Dixon, and Melvin McFarlane will compete in the 156km event.