The indomitable but humble spirit of world indoor record holder Devynne Charlton was on full display at the 2025 World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, where she emerged as the two-time indoor champion in the women’s 60 metres hurdles
finals. Last year was a storybook run for Charlton who recorded personal bests, national records and came away as the world indoor record holder to close out the indoor season but this time around her journey to the gold medal was not as seamless. Nonetheless, she prevailed in
the women’s 60m hurdles with a season’s best time of 7.72 seconds, earning her second straight world indoor championship.
The 29-year-old Olympian returned home on Tuesday and the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) held a luncheon yesterday at the Cricket Club to honour her historic feat and celebrate the remaining members of Team Bahamas for their performances in China. Charlton admitted that it felt surreal to take the world indoor crown against a stacked field for the second straight year after a rocky start to her season.
“Seeing my name pop up was kind of surreal. I am still in a little bit in disbelief because I am just looking at how my season went versus how the race turned out. You had to be a little bit delusional thinking that I could go in running the way I was and come out the world champion but you embrace the delusion,” she said.
Prior to the world indoors, Charlton owned a season’s best time of 7.82 seconds which was a step slower than the 7.67 seconds she posted at the Millrose Games last season.
Despite having just the eighth fastest time in the world headed into the global event, she pulled together her best stretch of races for the season.
She clocked 7.94 seconds in the heats then shaved some time off the clock in the semis for a finishing mark of 7.82 seconds.
She gutted out a season’s best time of 7.72 seconds
in a closely contested women’s 60m hurdles final to defend her title in the event.
Charlton, who had to battle back from a chipped bone injury and muscle strain headed into indoor season, expressed that she was not confident going
into her title defence.
“Heading into the race, I kind of had a second of reality where I am just like I am not where I want to be or prefer to be physically so I kind of had to rely on my mentality, my headspace and my instinct. Going into the call room for the final race, I am just like I just have to do what I know how to do and that’s execute a good race. I knew that once I got out and got the start that I needed I could just kind of muscle memory my way to
WORLD MASTERS INDOORS: HUMBLESTONE ADVANCES TO 200M FINALS
THREE Bahamian masters athletes saw action yesterday at the 2025 World Masters Athletics (WMA) World Indoor Championships at the Alachua County Sports and Event Center in Gainesville, Florida.
Dr Brian Humblestone was the only Bahamian to advance out of the prelims yesterday.
Competing out of heat two, Dr Humblestone got his legs under him to run a time of 46.39 seconds to finish in third place in the men’s 200m 85-89 semis. He qualified in the top six and posted the fifth fastest time headed into today’s finals.
Dr Humblestone, who trains under Mike Armbrister, said it felt good to advance, especially considering it has been awhile since he has “competed seriously.”
“It feels good. I have never been in these sports before. I used to run as a kid but it’s been a long time since I competed seriously so it feels good.” He will return to action in the finals today at 3:50pm.
According to Dr Humblestone, he has a chance to at least secure a top three spot in the final round.
“I think I can place and I have a chance for a medal. I am fairly confident for a medal and I shall be disappointed if I do not get at least a bronze. I will try and rely on the Almighty (God) for my health,” he said.
Olympian and masters 55-59 400m world record holder Timothy Munnings did not fare as well in the prelims of the men’s 200m
BAHAMIANS SUFFER LOSSES IN THE NBA
BAHAMIAN National Basketball Association (NBA) pros all experienced losses on Tuesday night on the West and East coast. Grand Bahamian sharpshooter Chavano “Buddy” Hield and the Golden State Warriors came up short against the ? 112-86 at the Kaseya Centre in Miami, Florida. Hield produced 10 points and three rebounds in 26 minutes of action. He shot 3-for-8 from the field and
2-for-5 from long range. The Dallas Mavericks fell against the New York Knicks 128-113 at the Madison Square Garden in New York. Bahamian big man Kai Jones put up nine points, eight rebounds and two assists in 24 minutes in the starting lineup. He shot 3-for-6 from the field and was perfect at the charity stripe, going 2-for-2.
Three-point specialist Klay Thompson had a tough shooting night. He went 2-for-11 from the field
BASKETBALL
PEACE ON DA STREET FAMILY NIGHT PLANS are underway for the staging of the Peace on Da Streets’ Basketball Classics’ Road to 30 years of existence. The event, being organised by the Hope Center under the theme “Shooting hoops instead of guns,” will be held from July 14-19 at the
Michael ‘Scooter’ Reid Basketball Center.
The highlight of the event will be the Family Night, scheduled for Sunday, July 20 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium when the finals in all of the divisions will take place, starting at 3pm. There will also be the Mr Ship It Three-point shootout and the Joe’s Slam Dunk
SEE PAGE E5
55-59 event. Munnings clocked a time of 24.98 seconds in heat four but was disqualified due to a lane infraction.
If not for the inopportune disqualification, the 58-year-old would have advanced to the semifinals with the second fastest qualification time just behind the USA’s Craig Wood, who ran 24.09 seconds.
Munnings, who claimed bronze in the 200m at the WMA Outdoor Championships last year, expressed his disappointment in the result.
“I was excited and ready to run the 200m, well prepared but I guess a little bit of inexperience resulted in me getting a lane infraction. I didn’t step out of my lane but I stepped on the lane and one of the competing teams saw the infraction and launched a protest.
“I felt good about the run. It was very comfortable so I knew had I moved onto the semifinals I would have comfortably moved on to the finals. I am disappointed and I am a little pissed but it comes with the sport. You have your ups and downs — but I will regroup and get ready for the 400m and try to be a lot more aware of my lane positioning,” he said.
All is not lost for Munnings as he will have the chance to redeem himself in the men’s 400m 55-59 event on Saturday.
He currently holds the master’s 55-59 world record with a swift time of 51.18 seconds. Additionally, he picked up gold in the 400m event at the masters outdoors last season.
The Olympic bronze medallist intends to use his latest hiccup as fuel going into the 400m semis.
“The 200m would have been more of a warmup for
me. Winning a medal in it would have been great but I am much more comfortable in the 400m. The indoor track is a little different so I have to be very careful. Even though the 400m is something I am comfortable with, clearly you can make mistakes on a banked curve. I have to be very careful and not overly confident and drop my guard,” he expressed. Nastasha Brown competed in the women’s 55-59
‘Jazz’ and banged up Yankees open at home after AL pennant
By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto, Blake Snell and Clay Holmes debut for new teams, Paul Skenes makes his first opening-day start at age 22 and Sandy Alcántara returns from Tommy John surgery. And Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr and the banged up New York Yankees play their opening game at home against the Milwaukee Brewers.
A week after the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers swept an opening two-game series over the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, 26 other teams get underway today on opening day in the U.S. and Canada.
One day later the Rays and Rockies become the final clubs to take the field, given extra time while Tampa Bay moved into the New York Yankees’ Steinbrenner Field, its temporary home this season after Hurricane Milton destroyed Tropicana Field’s roof.
With Oakland stripped from its name, the cityless Athletics start the first of at least three years at a makeshift minor league home in Sacramento when they host the Cubs on Monday. But first, the A’s start at Seattle with Luis Severino on the mound after he agreed to a team-record $67 million, three-year contract.
Across the majors, Miami’s Clayton McCullough makes his major league managing debut and Cincinnati’s Terry Francona and Will Venable of the Chicago White Sox start tenures with new teams.
Yankees open at home after AL pennant
Action begins in the Bronx when Carlos Rodón makes his first opening day start for the defending AL champion New York Yankees, who are without three-fifths of their starting rotation following injuries to Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt. In addition, Giancarlo Stanton and DJ LeMahieu are hurt.
Freddy Peralta pitches for Milwaukee, which could see former closer Devin Williams for the first time since he buckled in the ninth inning of NL Wild Card Series Game 3, when he allowed a go-ahead, three-run homer to the Mets’ Pete Alonso.
$765 million reasons to pay attention
Soto signed a record $765 million, 15-year contract to leave the Yankees and join the Mets, who totalled $1.36 billion in payroll and luxury tax over four years under owner Steve Cohen but remain without a title since 1986.
New York is 41-22 in openers, at .651 the best winning percentage of any franchise. After losing their first eight, the Mets have won 41 of their last 55. Holmes left the Yankees for a $38 million, three-year deal with the Mets and will make his first start since 2018 with Pittsburgh.
Raising the flag
After winning their second title in a five-year span and eighth overall, the Dodgers lift the World Series flag above Chavez Ravine before their home opener against Detroit.
Snell, a 2018 and ‘23 Cy Young Award winner, joined Los Angeles for a $182 million, five-year contract that was part of a spending spree in which the Dodgers committed $458.5 million to nine players. AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal starts for the Tigers, who won 15 of their final 20 games last season, then swept Houston in a Wild Card Series and lost to Cleveland in a five-game Division Series.
First of many?
Skenes, the NL Rookie of the Year, will be at 22 years, 302 days when he takes the mound at Miami, the youngest opening day starting pitcher since the Marlins’ José Fernández at 21-243 in 2014.
Alcántara makes his first appearance for Miami since
SOTO, SNELL AND HOLMES DEBUT FOR NEW TEAMS, SKENES MAKES
FIRST OPENING-DAY START
Sept. 3, 2023. The 2022 NL Cy Young winner had Tommy John surgery that Oct. 6. Clayton McCullough makes his debut as Marlins manager after replacing Skip Schumaker.
Sale starts opener for Braves
NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale starts his sixth opener, but first for Atlanta after three for the White Sox and two for Boston.
With Yu Darvish sidelined by elbow inflammation, Michael King start for the Padres — he pitched seven scoreless innings against the Braves with 12 strikeouts in last year’s Wild Card Series opener. New faces for Red Sox Garrett Crochet starts for Boston at Texas following his offseason acquisition from the White Sox, who started the left-hander in the opener of what turned into a record 121-loss season last year. Alex Bregman takes over at third base after agreeing to a $120 million, three-year contract, while Rafael Devers moves to designated hitter and 22-year-old Kristian Campbell appeared set to start at second base in his major league debut.
Nathan Eovaldi becomes the first pitcher to make consecutive opening day starts for Texas since Kevin Millwood from 2006-09. Gallen starts for Diamondbacks vs Cubs Zac Gallen was picked over Corbin Burnes to start for Arizona against the Cubs, making his third straight opening day start. Justin Steele makes his second start of the season for Chicago after allowing five runs over four innings in the second game loss to the Dodgers last week. On road, before heading to temporary home
Before starting their Sacramento tenancy on Monday against the Cubs, the vagabond Athletics open at Seattle with Severino, the third straight pitcher to make his A’s debut by starting opening day after Kyle Muller and Alex Wood. Coming off his first All-Star selection, Logan Gilbert starts his first Seattle opener. Dan Wilson begins his first full season as Mariners manager after replacing Scott Servais last August.
Blue Jays seek sixth straight opening day win José Berríos starts his fifth opener and joins Jimmy Key, Dave Stieb and Roy Halladay as the only pitchers to start three for Toronto, who have the longest opening day winning streak in the big leagues.
Outfielder Anthony Santander debuts for the Blue
Jays. Zach Eflin, acquired from the Rays last summer, will be on the mound for the Orioles and will become the fourth pitcher since 1900 to start consecutive openers against the same opponent for different teams, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
The others were Sad Sam Jones, Wes Ferrell and Madison Bumgarner. Kikuchi becomes record third Japanese pitcher to start 2025 opener
Making his Los Angeles Angels debut, Kikuchi follows opening starts in Japan last week by the Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Cubs’ Shota Imanaga. Sean Burke, a 25-year-old right-hander who made his first three big league starts last September, becomes the sixth pitcher in 70 years to start an opener with three or fewer big league starts, according to Elias, after Crochet, Tanner Scheppers, David Nied, Al Holland and Fernando Valenzuela.
Wheeler starts second straight Phillies opener Zack Wheeler at 34 becomes the oldest Philadelphia pitcher to make consecutive opening day starts since Halladay pitched his third straight in 2012. MacKenzie Gore at 26 will be the Nationals’ youngest opening day starter since Stephen Strasburg in 2014.
Ragans starts 2nd straight opener for Royals Cole Ragans at 27 will be the youngest Kansas City pitcher to start two openers in a row since 27-year-old Jeff Suppan pitched his third straight in 2002. In an AL Central matchup, Tanner Bibee starts for Cleveland after agreeing to a $48 million, five-year contract.
Francona back in dugout with Reds
Francona starts his 24th season as a big league manager at age 65 after taking a season off and regaining his health following 11 seasons with Cleveland. Hunter Greene starts for the Reds,
who have opened exclusively with right-handers since 1999.
Shortstop Willy Adames debuts for the Giants after signing a $182 million, seven-year contract for a team run by former star catcher Buster Posey.
López starts third straight opener for Twins Pablo López becomes the first Minnesota pitcher to start three openers in a row since Brad Radke’s seven from 1999-2005. Sonny Gray starts his fourth opener and first for St. Louis after outings for Oakland and Cincinnati. The Cardinals open their last season under president of baseball operations John Mozeliak, who has been in charge since October 2007 and will be replaced next fall by Chaim Bloom. Eyes on batters In the third season of restrictions on defensive shifts and larger bases, focus will be on offence.
Last year’s final batting average of .2433 was higher in the post-1900 era than only .237 in 1968, .239 in 1908, .242 in 1967 and .2427 in 2022. Robot umpires on the horizon This could be be the last opening day without robot umpires looking over the men calling balls and strikes. A spring training test of the Automated Ball-Strike System received a mostly positive initial reception and could lead to regular-season use in 2026.
HIS
NEW York Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr., right, bats during the fourth inning against the Marlins.
YANKEES third base Jazz Chisholm Jr steals second against the Marlins Tuesday.
YANKEES’ OSWALDO CABRERA, left, shortstop Anthony Volpe (11), Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr, second from right, and first base
Paul Goldschmidt, right, talk during a pitching change in the first inning of an exhibition game against the Marlins on Tuesday. (AP Photos/Lynne Sladky)
Love affair back on at March Madness. Now with Arizona, Caleb Love takes on Duke again
By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — He’s back.
If there’s a single player Duke or any of its fans would love to not run into when the stakes are this high, Caleb Love would be that player. Love used to play for Duke’s biggest rival, North Carolina. Now he plays for Duke’s next opponent, Arizona.
They meet today in the Sweet 16, with Love, now a fifth-year senior averaging 16.8 points a game for the fourth-seeded Wildcats, trying to wreck another season for the top-seeded Blue Devils, who have seen this movie before.
Love was the one who burned Duke for 22 points in 2022 to hand coach Mike Krzyzewski a loss in his last game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. He’s the one who, four weeks later, hit the 3-pointer with 25 seconds left, then a couple of more free throws to put away Duke at the Final Four — and officially end Coach K’s career. “I just think that’s me not being afraid of the moment and me trying to impose my will,” Love explained. “Kind of like my St. Louis swagger to the game.”
In nine career games against Duke, he is a modest 5-4. His scoring average in the wins: 20.8.
In the losses: 9.8. If Duke (33-3) wins today, almost certainly it will be because the Blue Devils were successful in shutting down Arizona’s best player.
“The thing he does is, he can shoot shots at any time and he can hit shots at any time,” said Jon Scheyer, who took over for Krzyzewski at Duke. “He’s an improved passer, someone who’s not afraid. A really good player, and a challenge for our guys.” Love grew up in St. Louis, committed to North Carolina and played his first three seasons there.
The year after the big wins over Duke, the Tar Heels opened the season at No. 1 in the AP poll but became the first preseason No. 1 to miss March Madness.
The player who also scored 27 in the second half of the Sweet 16 win on the way to that 2022 Final Four was suddenly seen as someone who shot too much, couldn’t come up big anymore and was bogging down the Tar Heels. Into the transfer portal he went. A move to Michigan got submarined by problems with the admissions department. Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd was on a postseason family trip in Puerto Vallarta when Love called, saying he wanted to visit campus. “My wife flew down and right when she landed, I
said ‘I’m going back to Tucson for another day,’” Lloyd said. “Went back, had a great visit, and he committed. Listen, it’s been an awesome experience.” Since the bracket came out, the possibility of this reunion has been lingering. When Love was asked about it on TV after Arizona’s win over Oregon last Sunday, he looked ready to launch, but he paused, gave a subtle grin and took the diplomatic route: “We’ll be ready for them when it’s time.”
Asked about that exchange Wednesday, he
explained: “I didn’t want to give them no fuel or bulletin board material. I just wanted to focus on what this group got to do and not give them anything that they can feed off of.”
Not the worst approach.
Starting with freshman Cooper Flagg, whose ankle injury looks like a worry from the past, the Blue Devils have up to six players who might get picked in the NBA draft.
Loaded with talent, they were not challenged during the first week of the tournament, beating Mount Saint Mary’s by 44 and Baylor
by 23. Of their 33 wins this season, 28 — including one in November over these Wildcats — have come by double digits. Of those, 11 have been by 30-plus. So, it’s no surprise that the Wildcats come in as a 9 1/2-point underdog — the biggest on the board in a Sweet 16 filled with nothing but power programmes.
That has nothing to do with Love’s thinking as he heads into matchup No. 10 against the Blue Devils.
“We’re not shying away from anything,” he said. Knowing how he’s bedeviled them, why would they?
Alabama faces BYU in a matchup of top offences In today’s opening East Regional game, Alabama faces BYU in matchup of two of the nation’s best offences. So, naturally, both teams are talking about defence.
The second-seeded Crimson Tide face the sixth-seeded Cougars in a game expected to be an upand-down affair filled with 3-point shots and transition buckets.
Alabama coach Nate Oats said his scouting report pegs BYU, which is moving to a wide-open, NBA style of play, as having the best offence in college basketball since Feb. 12.
The Crimson Tide needs no such qualifiers — they lead the nation in scoring at 90.8 points a game.
“It should be a very fun game, but it’s going to come down to getting stops,” said Mark Sears, who leads the Tide in points (18.6) and assists (5.0).
Both these teams can score from anywhere. They prefer 3-pointers — both are in the country’s top 25 in attempts — or high-percentage layups. They are both ranked in the top 10 in KenPom’s offensive efficiency ratings.
“I’m excited to hopefully be able to play some good defence, not have it be 150-149, or something like that,” BYU’s Trevin Knell said.
ARIZONA guard Caleb Love (1) moves to the basket against Oregon centre Nate Bittle (32) during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 23, 2025 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Bahamians suffer losses in the NBA
FROM PAGE E1
to end the night with just six points, three rebounds and one assist in 22 minutes.
Warriors vs Heat
Jimmy Butler’s return to Miami was spoiled by the Heat on Tuesday.
He turned in 11 points, six rebounds and two assists on the night. Hield knocked down a triple early in the first period to shift the score to 13-9, favouring the Heat.
Golden State fell behind 28-22 in the opening quarter. ‘Buddy’ was successful on two attempts at the charity stripe but the Heat were already ahead 39-29 in the second quarter.
Miami took off with a 57-40 advantage at the halftime break.
Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski nailed a 17-footer and Johnathan Kuminga followed it up with a three that shaved the deficit down to 8 (7870) but the team never held the lead in the contest.
Golden State trailed the entire game for the fifth time this season.
The Heat had the hot hand, shooting 55.8 per cent while holding the Warriors to 39.8 per cent from the field.
Mavericks vs Knicks
The injury bug once again plagued the Dallas Mavericks in their recent loss to the New York Knicks. Jones did most of his damage in the first quarter. He caught an assist from Max Christie and threw down a dunk that shifted the score to 22-20 at the 5:55 mark. The score was neck-and-neck at 37-35 going into the second quarter.
Dallas kept the game relatively close in the second quarter thanks to Naji Marshall’s strong shooting night.
The score was knotted at 68 apiece at the halftime mark.
The Mavericks’ Brandon Williams made a driving layup with 1:25 to go but the Knicks took control of the game 98-84 at the end of the third.
The game was a foregone conclusion after the Knicks outscored the Mavs
30-16 in the third period.
OG Anunoby led the team in scoring with 35 points and five rebounds.
Contest. The night will conclude with the exciting Clergy versus Politicians match-up. Lots of prizes, including round trip tickets, will be up for grabs.
BASKETBALL
JUNIOR GIRLS’
TRYOUT
THE Bahamas Basketball Federation is inviting all girls interested in playing on the junior girls’ national team to attend tryouts, starting on Saturday from 10am to noon at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. The tryouts are for players up to 17 years of age. All players must pre-register at bbfbasketball.com/ registration and must have a Bahamian passport or are able to obtain one right away in order to tryout.
For more information, interested persons can email secretary.bbf@outlook.com.
BBSF SOFTBALL
THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation is slated to conclude its 2025 softball season on Saturday at the Charles W Saunders playing field, Jean Street.
The federation will stage its sudden death semifinal playoffs, starting at 11am and will conclude at 2:30pm with the championship game. The semifinals will begin with defending champions Jubilee Ministries taking on former champions Golden Gates in the co-ed slowpitch opener. The other half of the bracket will be played between last year’s runners-up Macedonia and New Bethlehem. The winners of the two games will clash in the championship game as the federation completes its tribute to the late Dwaine ‘Man’ Stevens, a former player/manager with New Bethlehem and the immediate past president of both the Bahamas Government Departmental Softball Association and the New Providence Softball Association.
Two weeks ago at Jean Street, the final regular game in the tournament was played at Jean Street with Golden Gates pulling off a 22-20 slugfest over Jubilee.
Golden Gates produced eight runs in the first inning, six in the third, seven in the fourth and another one in the fifth. Jubilee countered
with one in the first, three in the second, six in the third, six in the fourth and two in the fifth. Thela Johnson was the winning pitcher and Alfred Ferguson was tagged with the loss.
POCKING LEAGUE
TRYOUT
THE newly formed National Pocking League will hold tryouts for persons interested in participating. It’s open to both males and females between the ages of 18 and 40. The tryouts are slated to take place from 10am to 1pm on Sunday, March 30, at the Roscoe Davies Developmental Center at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. Interested persons can email cqbahamas@gmail. com for more information. The league is calling for persons to try their hand at the most Bahamian past time of all times.
PICKLEBALL EXHIBITION
THE Bahamas Pickleball Federation is scheduled to hold a Pickleball Exhibition on April 5 at the Mall at Marathon next to John Bull from noon to 4pm. Admission is free, but space is limited. The event is being sponsored by Domino’s Pizza,
By The Associated Press
AN autographed Chicago Bulls jersey that Michael Jordan wore in a preseason game during his rookie year sold for $4.215 million at an auction that closed yesterday.
Sotheby’s billed it as the only game-worn photomatched Jordan rookie jersey to publicly surface at an auction. Sotheby’s said a private collector made the winning bid.
MeiGray stated that it believes this is the first jersey Jordan ever wore while playing in the NBA. MeiGray examined video footage from Jordan’s first NBA game while working with forensic analysis firm Proven Data. That first preseason game took place October 5, 1984, in Peoria, Illinois.
MeiGray photo-matched the jersey to October 13, 1984, which was Jordan’s fourth NBA game. Sports Investors Authenticated photo-matched it to October 7, 1984, which would have been his second game.
Sotheby’s said it could be authenticated this extensively because it appeared previous players had worn the jersey before Jordan got it. There are dark stains under the name “Jordan” and under the 23 where it appears multiple other players’ names and numbers had previously appeared.
Jordan switched jerseys for his regular-season debut and for the rest of the 198485 season.
ESPN reported that this is the fifth-most-expensive NBA jersey ever to get sold by auction. Two of the four jerseys to bring higher prices also were worn by Jordan.
a
26 points, 12
and 11 assists. The
the Mall at Marathon, the Sports Center and High Noon Sun Sips.
SPRING FLING
INVITATIONAL
THE Fast Track Athletics Club is scheduled to hold its 4th annual Spring Fling at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex May 16-17.
The event is open to competitors from throughout The Bahamas.
The action is slated to begin at 5pm on Friday, May 16 and at 10am on Saturday, May 16. It promises to provide fast competition, perfect prep for championship season and an unmatched island atmosphere in Grand Bahama.
The entry fee is $5 for children and $10 for adults. For more information on the meet, persons can email fasttrackmanagement00@ gmail.com
THE Reloaded baseball and softball programme for boys and girls is scheduled to hold its fourth invitational tournament April 18-21 at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.
The event, organised by Stephen “Bishop” Beneby,
is being sanctioned by the Bahamas Baseball Assocation, headed by Clarence “CJ’ McKenzie and will be sponsored by Pro Youth Foundation. It will feature baseball teams for boys and softball teams for girls from Grand Bahama and New Providence. It’s also anticipated that some teams from the Family Islands will also be in New Providence to participate.
Karl Anthony-Towns posted
triple double with
rebounds
Warriors
return to action against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday and the Mavs take on Orlando tonight.
HAWKS forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) shoots against Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
DALLAS Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31), forward Naji Marshall (13) and Brooklyn Nets centre Nic Claxton (33) all jump to catch the rebound during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, March 24, 2025, in New York.
(AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
TIGER WOODS CONFIRMS HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH VANESSA TRUMP IN A SOCIAL MEDIA POST
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer
TIGER Woods has confirmed his relationship with the former daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump, publishing two images to social media in a post that said, “Love is in the air.”
Woods and Vanessa Trump, who was married to Donald Trump Jr, had been seen at Torrey Pines in San Diego along with her daughter, Kai, when Woods arrived for the final round to hand out the trophy to the winner of the Genesis Invitational. He is the tournament host.
Kai Trump goes to the Benjamin School with Woods’ two children, Sam and Charlie. She and Charlie competed on an invitation at a high-profile junior golf tournament this week.
“Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together,” Woods said on X, where he has 6.4 million followers. He added: “At this time we would appreciate privacy for all those close to our hearts.”
One photo shows Woods and Vanessa Trump posing together, another with them lying in a hammock with her arm draped across his chest as he gazes skyward.
Woods and Vanessa Trump had been featured in gossip outlets for the last several weeks. She was married to Donald Trump Jr for 12 years. They had five children together.
Woods announced March 11 that he ruptured his left Achilles tendon, knocking him out of the Masters and likely for the rest of the year. It was not clear what prompted Woods, who keeps his personal life fiercely private, to publish
photos confirming the relationship. It was reminiscent of 2013, when he and Lindsey Vonn both posted photos of them together to confirm they were dating. Woods said at the time he and Vonn “wanted to limit the ‘stalkarazzi’ and all those sleazy websites that are out there following us,” saying it could lead to dangerous situations involving his children. He also said their photos would devalue anything the paparazzi had. Woods has two children from his marriage to Elin Nordegren, who divorced him 2010 after he had been exposed for multiple extramarital affairs.
His only other public relationship was with Erica Herman, which lasted about seven years until he ended it in October 2022. It was a messy split, and Herman eventually dismissed lawsuits against Woods and the trust that owns his south Florida estate, where she had been living.
TIGER Woods at the US Open.
VANESSA TRUMP, centre, ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr., right, and their daughter Kai Madison, left, on stage during the third day of the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/J Scott Applewhite)
Two-time world indoor champion Devynne Charlton returns home
FROM PAGE E1
the win,” she said.
Last year at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, the Olympian ran away with not only a gold-medal finish but also a world indoor record of 7.65 seconds.
With her consecutive victories, she joined an exclusive group of just two other hurdlers - Americans Lolo Jones and Nia Alia - to double up as world indoor champions in the women’s 60m hurdles.
Although last year’s feat felt extra special, Charlton appreciated the grit that it took to repeat as champion this year.
“I think this one, I appreciated it a little bit more. Last year it wasn’t easy but I think the work that I was able to put in made the race itself easy but this one I definitely had to put a lot more work into it that I didn’t expect I would have to. Not that I have a preference for either one, I think I just appreciate this one a little bit more,” she said.
The Bahamas was on the cusp of having a second hurdler in the women’s 60m hurdles.
Denisha Cartwright was also in top form at the world indoors. She matched her personal best time of 7.78 seconds in the heats of the women’s 60m hurdles event. Unfortunately, she clipped a hurdle in the semis and capped off the event in third at 8.08 seconds.
She spoke about her experience at the meet and is optimistic about the future.
“It was a great experience - a learning experience. I am just excited to be representing The Bahamas on the big stage. I am looking forward to representing for sure in 2028 and at the World Outdoor Championships in Tokyo and I will be looking forward to putting my best foot forward there. I want to congratulate Devynne again on getting the gold for us,” Cartwright said.
Wendell Miller, who competed in the 400m heats, ran a personal best time of 47.33 seconds but was unable to advance to the semis. He finished third in his heat and 16th overall.
Sprinter Camille Rutherford advanced to the women’s 60m semis with a time of 7.25 seconds but fell short in the next round with a time of 7.41 seconds. She wrapped up 24th overall.
Devynne’s younger sister Anthaya Charlton was the only collegiate athlete a part of Team Bahamas.
TWO-TIME WORLD INDOORS CHAMPION: The two-time world indoor gold medallist Devynne Charlton returned home to celebrate with family and friends at a welcome home soiree hosted by the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations yesterday at the Cricket Club.
“You had to be a little bit delusional thinking that I could go in running the way I was and come out the world champion but you embrace the delusion.”
— Devynne Charlton
She soared to 6.57m in the women’s long jump to finish sixth out of 13 competitors at her first global competition.
Drumeco Archer, president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, spoke about how he felt about Team Bahamas’ performance.
“The World Indoor Championships from a Bahamian perspective represents a convergence of the old versus the new, the experience versus the nerves of the new flights and the revelation of what the future looks like for Bahamian track and field.
“The 60m hurdles must’ve been the most competitive, most anticipated and the most nerve-racking event in all of the World Athletics Championships events scheduled. Our world record holder was unshakable, magical and a true Bahamian soldier.
“This federation is immensely proud of its athletes. Those who competed, the management team and the coaching staff, more specifically Foster Dorsette, coach Bernard Rolle and Dr Kent Bazard who was our medical doctor.
Together with the ‘fantastic five’ I believe that we had a noble showing at the World Championships,” he said.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg vocalised his appreciation for Team Bahamas and emphasized the need to implement a pension plan for athletes.
“Congratulations to Devynne for another successful victory by not only having the world record but receiving two golds. I am very proud of you and very happy that you continue to make us proud as Bahamians. Not just to you but the entire team that went there.
“We invest in facilities and we invest in our athletes so we are about to do something for a pension plan for our athletes in this next budget cycle. We believe that the greatest promotion that we can get
NADINE VISSER, of Netherlands, and Devynne Charlton, of The Bahamas, compete in a women’s 60 metres hurdles semifinal at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, March 23, 2025.
(AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
in this country is through our athletes. There is no other event or anything that promotes The Bahamas better than our athletes, whether they are playing professionally in track and field, baseball, basketball, football or any other sporting discipline. Sports is really truly the flag bearer that takes The Bahamas to the next level for us,” he said.
Derron Donaldson, secretary general for the Bahamas Olympic Committee, congratulated Charlton and said the future is bright for The Bahamas with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics looming.
“Making history and showing consistency in clearly what you have been doing, devoted to your training and nutrition and we only see the end but what you put in means a whole lot. We all won and it is just amazing to know that you are out there carrying the flag along with Denisha and Wendell.
“In the last Olympics, outside of everything we had many semi-finals performances. The road to Los Angeles looks bright, looks very big and I am very confident in what’s to come,” he said. The Bahamas concluded in a five-way tie for 12th with one gold medal at the 2025 World Indoor Championships.
Tennis pro Sydney has mixed results
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
AS she prepares for her post-collegiate career, the Bahamas’ top female tennis player Sydney Clarke kicked off her 2025 professional season with mixed results in a pair of W50 Santo Domingo Tournaments in the Dominican Republic.
In her opener last week, Clarke got to the final where she lost to world number 374 ranked Ana Sofia Sanchez of Mexico 6-0, 6-2.
However, she got eliminated in the first round in her second tournament this week, losing 6-3, 6-2 to Madison Sieg, who is ranked at 354.
Despite her losses, Clarke said she gained a lot of hope as she continues to play on the circuit.
“The level at these tournaments is very high,” Clarke said. “The number 1 seed for both weeks was ranked 112 in the world.
I am pleased about my results and now I know where I need to improve.
“Being here these two weeks has improved my game so I’m excited to see how the rest of the year goes. I know that I’m able to compete with the best which is great. I’m not too far from consistently playing at this level.”
Clarke, a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she earned her degree in mass communication - broadcasting, said the tournaments were a learning experience for her.
“It would’ve been nice to play more matches but I felt that I made the necessary adjustments each week to give myself a chance,” Clarke pointed out. The 23-year-old Clarke last played in an international tournament in August. However, her last match would have been in the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association, where she topped the field at the Giorgio Baldacci Open
Nationals at the National Tennis Centre.
In securing the top spot on The Bahamas’ team going to the Billie Jean King Cup later this summer at a site and date yet to be released, Clarke will be returning to Germany in April. She went there last year where she played in a competitive club league and a series or tournaments. She will be there for two months and is looking forward to getting her game on track to lead Team Bahamas at the Billie Jean King Cup.
“Moving forward I’m looking at signing up for more tournaments so that I am able to obtain a WTA ranking,” she stated. “I am very close to being ranked if I’m able to play more tournaments.”
Clarke, a former student of CR Walker and a graduate of Windsor High School, is the daughter of Shayvon and Bernard Clarke and she has a younger sister Sarai, who is following in her footsteps as a tennis player.
THE BAHAMAS’ top female tennis player Sydney Clarke kicked off her 2025 professional season with mixed results in a pair of W50 Santo Domingo Tournaments in the Dominican Republic.
