分类： sports

The National Cycling Centre in Balmain, Couva transforms into a hub of athletic excellence this weekend as Trinidad and Tobago proudly hosts the 2025 Carifta Gymnastics Championships on December 6-7. This prestigious regional event brings together more than 200 elite gymnasts from across the Caribbean basin, representing nations including the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Curaçao, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and the host nation.

Trinidad and Tobago enters the competition as defending overall champions, having delivered a spectacular performance at the 2024 edition where they dominated the podium with an impressive medal tally of 72 gold, 61 silver, and 28 bronze medals. The host nation fields a formidable contingent of 61 qualified athletes who will compete across multiple divisions, including eight exceptional gymnasts who have earned the rare distinction of qualifying for both USAG (USA Gymnastics) and PAGU/FIG (Pan American Gymnastics Union/International Gymnastics Federation) categories.

The competition spotlight shines brightly on Tots and Tumblers standouts Sidney Charles and Dailia Burke, who headline Trinidad and Tobago’s representation in the prestigious 16-and-over FIG senior elite category. These athletes lead a talented roster that includes Olympic Wolfpack’s promising trio—Zariah Dopwell-Gittens, Yliana-Rose Sancho, and Asia Ali—who will compete in the PAGU 1 nine-to-11 division alongside Tots & Tumblers’ Kaydence Fortune.

Trinidad and Tobago’s comprehensive team representation spans multiple competitive levels, showcasing the depth of the nation’s gymnastics program. From Level 1 beginners to elite FIG competitors, athletes from various training academies including Thema Williams Academy, Olympia Wolfpack, Academic Flippers, and Gymnastics Explorers will demonstrate their technical prowess and artistic excellence throughout the two-day championship event.

The Carifta Gymnastics Championships not only serve as a platform for regional competition but also as a crucial developmental opportunity for Caribbean athletes to gain international experience and showcase their skills on a competitive stage. The event promises to deliver thrilling performances as gymnasts vie for individual honors and team glory while strengthening the bonds of sportsmanship across the Caribbean community.

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Defying age and absence, 37-year-old West Indies pace bowler Kemar Roach delivered a masterclass in Test cricket resilience during the first Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval. Recalled to the squad after an 11-month hiatus from the longest format, Roach claimed his 12th five-wicket haul with impressive figures of 5/78 in New Zealand’s second innings, temporarily stifling the Black Caps’ dominance and showcasing his enduring class.

Roach’s surgical dismantling of the middle and lower order on day four proved particularly historic: he now stands just nine wickets away from joining the legendary quartet of Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Malcolm Marshall, and Lance Gibbs as the only West Indian bowlers to reach 300 Test wickets.

The Barbadian seamer, brought into the side as injury cover for Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, spoke candidly about his perpetual need to prove his worth. “I’m always one who has to try and prove himself. I’ve always been that person,” Roach reflected during the post-day press conference. “Test cricket remains the highest level, and performing here brings me immense joy.”

Now in his 86th Test match, Roach balances personal milestones with team ambitions. “I try not to think about 300 too much, but it’s in the back of my mind. My main objective is to be professional, play my best cricket, and influence wins.”

As the elder statesman in a youthful pace attack featuring Jayden Seales (24), Johann Layne (22), and debutant Ojay Shields (29), Roach embraces his mentoring role. “It’s refreshing to be around the youth—they keep me laughing. Being back in West Indies colours and performing is what I take to heart.”

Despite a mammoth target of 531, the West Indies ended day four at 212/4, fueled by Shai Hope’s unbeaten century and Justin Greaves’ resilient support. With New Zealand pace duo Matt Henry and Nathan Smith nursing injuries, Roach believes an against-the-odds victory is within reach. “500 runs is a lot, but their bowling setbacks play into our hands. We’ll come up with a plan and go for the win.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw has set the stage for dramatic encounters between footballing giants and ambitious underdogs, with Caribbean nations receiving particularly challenging assignments. Curacao, the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament with a population of merely 156,000, will face four-time champions Germany in their opening match of Group E. Under coach Dick Advocaat, the island nation that surprisingly topped CONCACAF’s final qualifying group ahead of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago will also battle Ecuador and Ivory Coast.

Other Caribbean qualifiers face equally daunting prospects. Haiti finds itself in the formidable Group C alongside five-time champions Brazil, Morocco, and Scotland. Panama, another CONCACAF success story, must navigate Group L against Croatia, England, and Ghana in what promises to be a highly competitive bracket.

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz face an additional hurdle, requiring victory in an intercontinental playoff against Congo and New Caledonia for entry into Group K, where Colombia, Portugal, and Uzbekistan await. The expanded 48-team tournament will commence on June 11 with a replay of the 2010 opener between Mexico and South Africa.

Defending champions Argentina, currently ranked second by FIFA, headline Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and debutants Jordan. Top-ranked Spain will confront two-time winners Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and World Cup newcomers Cape Verde in Group H.

Tournament favorites face varied paths: 2022 runners-up France meet Norway, Senegal, and a playoff winner from Bolivia, Iraq, or Suriname in Group I. Host nations received mixed fortunes—Canada will face Qatar, Switzerland, and a European playoff winner in Group B, while the United States meets Australia, Paraguay, and another European playoff victor in Group D.

The complete group composition showcases football’s global expansion, blending traditional powerhouses with emerging football nations across twelve groups that promise unprecedented competitive diversity.

In a dramatic display of contrasting outcomes at the Bolivarian Games in Ayacucho-Lima, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago’s cricket teams witnessed radically different results on December 5th. The women’s squad delivered a commanding performance to secure their place in the championship final, while the men’s team suffered their first tournament defeat against Barbados.

The TT women’s team demonstrated exceptional bowling prowess against Jamaica for the second consecutive day, dismissing their opponents for a meager 58 runs. Eighteen-year-old off-spinner Samara Ramnath emerged as the standout performer with impressive figures of 4/11 from her four overs. Veteran players Lee Ann Kirby and Anisa Mohammed provided crucial support with identical bowling statistics of 2/9 each. Jamaica’s batting lineup collapsed dramatically after reaching 44/2, losing their final eight wickets for just 14 runs.

Despite an early batting stumble that saw TT reduced to 13/2, experienced campaigner Britney Cooper orchestrated a spectacular recovery with an explosive unbeaten 33 from just 18 deliveries. Her innings, featuring three boundaries and two sixes, propelled the team to an eight-wicket victory with more than eleven overs to spare.

Meanwhile, the TT men’s team encountered significant challenges against Barbados, falling to a 34-run defeat despite earlier victories against Jamaica and hosts Peru. Barbados posted a competitive total of 150/5, anchored by opener Shian Brathwaite’s composed unbeaten 63 from 58 balls. The TT bowling attack was led by allrounder Teshawn Castro (2/21) and left-arm spinner Damion Joachim (2/33).

The TT chase began disastrously, collapsing to 27/4 within seven overs. Although captain Vikash Mohan (27) and Dejourn Charles (39) staged a partial recovery with a 46-run partnership, the team ultimately folded for 116 in the penultimate over. Barbados’ left-arm seamer Jerome Jones proved instrumental with bowling figures of 3/27.

The women’s team will complete their round-robin stage against Barbados on December 6th before advancing to the championship final on December 7th. The men’s squad awaits their final placement while hoping for another opportunity to compete for the title.

Naparima College secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against St Augustine Secondary in the Coca-Cola Intercol semifinal at Ato Boldon Stadium on December 5, keeping their ambitious triple crown pursuit alive. The decisive moment arrived in the 55th minute when star striker Riquelme Phillips converted a penalty kick with clinical precision, slotting the ball into the lower right corner as goalkeeper Tyrese Henry dove in the opposite direction.

The match showcased contrasting styles, with Naparima dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities throughout the contest. Phillips, along with attacking midfielder Jacob O’Reilly and winger Arron Raymond, consistently threatened St Augustine’s defense with penetrating runs and multiple attempts on goal. However, Henry delivered an exceptional performance between the posts, making several crucial saves to keep his team in contention.

St Augustine, nicknamed the ‘Green Machine,’ mounted intense pressure in the final 15 minutes, displaying remarkable resilience despite being outplayed for much of the match. Captain Giovanni Hospedales led the offensive surge alongside Elijah Baptiste and substitute Jayden Solozano, but they struggled to break through Naparima’s organized defensive wall comprising Antonio Hills, Elijah Edwards, and Sebastian James.

The penalty decision proved controversial, awarded after an in-swinging corner bounced awkwardly and struck St Augustine defender Mikel Murray on the arm. Despite the setback, St Augustine’s late aggressive push nearly produced an equalizer, creating tense moments for Naparima coach Angus Eve on the sidelines.

With this victory, Naparima moves one step closer to achieving a historic triple crown, having already secured the SSFL league title and South zone Intercol championship earlier this season.

The Trinidad and Tobago national bobsleigh team, affectionately known as the Soca Sliders, completed the Park City segment of the North American Cup with a seventh-place finish in the four-man event on December 4th. Competing at Utah Olympic Park, the quartet consisting of pilot Axel Brown alongside athletes Xaverri Williams, Shakeel John, and De Aundre John registered a combined time of 1 minute and 36.68 seconds across two heats.

The team demonstrated remarkable consistency during their runs, recording 48.33 seconds in the initial heat followed by a marginally slower time of 48.35 seconds in their second attempt. Despite their steady performance, the Trinidadian squad found themselves positioned midway among the 14 competing teams in the final standings.

Jamaica’s bobsleigh team continued their dominant streak by capturing the top spot with an aggregate time of 1:35.91, edging out second-place Brazil by a mere 0.05 seconds. Canada secured the third position on the podium with a time of 1:36.52, rounding out the top three finishers.

The Park City competition series yielded varied outcomes for the Trinidad and Tobago delegation. Earlier in the week, the two-man team featuring Brown and De Aundre John achieved a seventh-place tie with Israel on November 30th, followed by a notable silver medal performance the subsequent day. In the initial four-man event on December 3rd, a different lineup including Micah Moore secured a fifth-place extended podium finish before concluding the Utah leg with their seventh-place result.

The North American Cup circuit now progresses to its next stage scheduled for Lake Placid, New York, commencing January 2nd, where the Soca Sliders will continue their international bobsleigh campaign.