Defending Champions, District 10 (Upper Demerara/Kwakwani) successfully retained their title, cruising to victory when the curtains came down on the 56th Ministry of Education/ Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday evening.
We are the Champions! District 10 are now 15 time champions
After five grueling days of competition across three venues, the now 15 time champions, had amassed a total of 65 points, well ahead of second placed District 11 (North Georgetown) on 59 points.
District 13 came in third with 55 points while Districts three (53 points), Six (50 points) and 12 (47.2 points) finished in 4th to 6th positions respectively
Administrator of the wining district, Curtis Gravesande said it was a great feeling to once again be at the top of the sport while expressing his gratitude to the athletes who trained hard and put in the work and time.
On Day five, the highlight of the day was the 400m races, as the competition was beyond exceptional. In the U-20 boys, District 12’s Linton Mentis romped to victory in 50.5seconds (50.5s) barely piping Stayon Wilson (50.6) of District 15. Darius Austin copped 3rd in 53.3s as favourite, Compton Ceasar was disqualified after a false start.
In the U-18 boys, Samuel Lynch (50.7) was victorious ahead of Daniel Williams (51.5) and Jakeem Benn (51.9). in the boys U-16 District five’s Gowin Humphrey (52.2) lead the pack closely followed by District 11’s Daniel Benjamin (53.0) and Jamal Millington (53.7). In the U-14 boys, in 56.7s District four’s Benel Ogle won as he was trailed by Tyrese Wharton (57.9) and Devon Abel (58.2). Johnathon Copland was given U-16 champion boy, Daniel Williams (U-18) and Stayon Wilson won U-20.
Meanwhile, in the girls division, District Three’s Kezra Murray won the U-20 in one minute and one second. District 10’s Chantoba Bright dominated the U-18 in 59.9s, District 11’s Yessinia Andrews won the U-14 in 61s. Andrews, Bright and Murray were all awarded champion girls of their age groups.
Deshanna Skeete was victorious in the U-16 category racing away with the win as well as shattering the previous record in 57.7 seconds. She was also given the Champion Girl in her division.
In the U-18 male High Jump, District Six’s Samuel Jordon leaped to first with 191cm while Tatyanna Blair (155cm) leaped the furthest for the U-18 girls also breaking the record.
District 10 won the Track and Field championships with a massive 651.5 points, blazing past second placed District Six with 479 points and District Three with 467.5.
Meanwhile, the swimming championship was won by district 11 who amassed a total of 411 points as District Six safely took the Cycling championships with 297 points ahead of second placed District 10 on 278 points and District four on 119 points. District Three carted off with the Teachers’ championship, having tallied 293 points, distancing second placed District 13 with 258 points and District 11 who totaled 218 points.
Speaking at the ceremony, acting Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson, thanked the athletes and their management for their organized championship and to once more produce a clean and accident free games.
The CEO went on to leave a word of advise with the youngsters as they return to their normal lives, saying “Success is never final, Failure is not fatal but is courage that matters”
