Guyana will be hoping for a change in for fortune when the 23rd Goodwill Swim Competition opens today at the National Aquatic centre, Liliendaal will conclude on August 20.
Swimmers will come from the meet’s core countries – Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Barbados, and St Lucia.
Defending champions Trinidad and Tobago, have been known to always aspire to take the full complement or at least to come as close as possible.
The same goes for Suriname, who have been in a constant battle against Trinidad and Tobago for the title. Bahamas and Grenada will be participating based on invitations extended by Guyana.
Leon Seaton (starting block three) will be leading the Guyanese charge in the pool
Last year when the event was held in St Lucia, Guyana produced a team of 29 swimmers. The team came back with 15 medals, including three golds. However, Guyana finished sixth, out of six countries.
The Land of Many Waters has a dismal performance history at the developmental event, which was originally designed for swimmers from the participating countries who have not yet competed at higher levels of regional competition.
The 40-member team has been going through gruelling preparations for the last three weeks.
Today, warm ups will begin at 14:00 hrs followed by the actual event from 15:30 hrs.
The full Guyana team is as follows
Girls:
8-and-Under: Andica Vieira, Kyra Soares, Shareefah Lewis, Jovana Goodridge
9-10: Aleka Persaud, Patrice Mahaica, Monique Watson, Ariel Rodrigues
11-12: Lian Winter, Amber De Goeas, Giselle Crane, Nia Fraser
13-14: Jadyn George, Danielle George, Donna Carter, Sofia Pinol
15-17: Nikita Fiedtkou, Kenita Mahaica, Accalia Khan, Teshanna Hunter
Boys:
8-and-Under: Jeremy Sookram, Jonathan Lewis, Safraaz Mohamed, Aarav Singh
9-10: Paul Mahaica, Jaleel Anderson, Vladimir Woodroffe, Elliot Gonsalves
11-12: Leon Seaton, Raekwon Noel, Ejaz Mohamed, Ethan Gonsalves
13-14: Sekhel Tzedeq, Sion Jeffers, Rayvon Pires, Jonathon Sookram
15-17: Daniel Scott, Antonio Rodrigues, Joseph DeNobrega, Alex Winter
