09/09/10
www.barbadostoday.bb
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Ready to rumble Boxers upbeat at start of tournament by Anmarie Bailey No rain will stop these bouts! With showers of rain pouring in the background, the inclement weather Barbados has been experiencing has not dampened the spirits of the national team as they prepared for round one of the AIBA World Women’s Boxing Championships at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium tonight. Boxers Jenny Benedict, Kimberley Gittens and sisters Gheta and Molissa Narine are ready to take on the world when Barbados hosts the tournament — the first time ever for a developing nation. First up for Barbados will be Benedict, who takes the ring tonight — opening night — Oleksandra Sydorenko of the Ukraine in the 60 kg weight class. Speaking to Benedict and Gittens during training camp, the two, both first-timers to the World Championships, expressed confidence and an eagerness to face their opponents. After having the opportunity to see some of the other teams in action, Gittens remarked she was not daunted, adding that the other teams had nothing on Team Barbados, so confident was she that she said she was looking forward to the semi finals and then the finals. Gittens will be the last of the local four to take the ring when she faces her opponent Lotte Lien of Norway in the 69 kg on Monday. Meanwhile, a visit to the training camp last night saw a few foreign teams hard at work, putting in last minute training before today’s first bout at 2 p.m. With several world champions on their team, the 10-member Turkish team is set for a tough defence. Elir Guneri (75 kg) three time European Champion, Gulsum Jajar (64 kg), World Champion in the China staging of the event, and European Champion (2009) as well as Sensi Yaral, also World Champion in China make up part of the stellar Turkish team. The Canadians are also defending a title in the 75 kg class. Mary Spenser from Ontario will look to keep the
honours, while her other six teammates are hoping to capture some titles of their own. Coach Frank Duguay said the sport is popular in Canada, and with the country’s reputation he is optimistic they will do well, adding the climate here is perfect for his team, which comes from all regions of the country. Puerto Rico was also putting in last minutes jabs, spars and exercise routines. Their two-woman team of Kirai Tapia (60 kg) and Mercedes Alicea (57 kg) were hard at work under the watchful eye of their coaches. Taking a few minutes to talk about the competition, they said they were hopeful coming into this with the title of national champions under their belts. Alicea, who has been boxing for 14 years, said it is a family affair for her — her cousin Daniel ‘Pipino’ Alicea has seen success as a boxer. In addition, both her father and uncle are boxers. All eyes will be on Barbados and the Wildey Gymnasium for the next 10 days.
A scene from tonight’s official opening ceremony at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium tonight. Inset, one of Barbados’ hopes for a medal, Kimberley Gittens.
HPC beat Bermuda in opener Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre (HPC) beat Bermuda by 18 runs in the opening one-day match of the Cricket Canada Summer Festival at Malton Cricket Club yesterday evening. Bermuda were restricted to 153 for seven off their 30 overs in the match reduced from 50 overs-a-side after heavy rain.
Fast bowler Brandon Bess of Guyana was superb at the “death” and ended with two for 20 from his six overs to halt Bermuda’s pursuit. Fellow pacer, Trinidadian Shannon Gabriel bowled with good pace at the top of the innings and ended with one for 22 from six overs. There were also wickets for tall seamer Jason Holder of Barbados
and Guyanese left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul. For Bermuda, skipper David Hemp, a veteran of over a decade in English County cricket, topscored with a brilliant 78 off 62 balls, including three sixes in one over from leg-spinner and captain Shamarh Brooks of Barbados. The over cost 23 runs.
Earlier, the HPC made 171 all out off 29.4 overs after winning the toss with Kieran Powell of Nevis making 46 in an opening stand of 79 with Guyanese Rajendra Chandrika who got 32. Jamaican Nkrumah Bonner and wicket-keeper Devon Thomas of Antigua both made 29, while experienced pacer Malachi Jones took four wickets for Bermuda.