The Guyana team is ready. I can see that they are focused and willing to do what we ask them to do, so that we can be successful and earn some medals.”
Those were the words of Head Coach of the Guyana team, Robert Chisholm. With the South American Youth Games beginning today, Chisholm noted that at last weekend’s Independence Track Meet, some of Guyana’s brightest track stars showed good form; especially Compton Caesar, who bested senior athlete Rupert Perry in both the 100 and 200 metres’ events.
Kenisha Phillips, another bright prospect to medal at this weekend’s games, was however upstaged by teammate Onasha Rogers.
Athletes such as Anfernee Headecker, Daniel Williams, Claudrice McKoy, Avon Samuels and Delicia Harper are also being touted as challengers for podium spots in their respective events.
Chisholm maintained that while Guyana has precious little experience in the unconventional events, such as the 3000 Metres Steeplechase and the Hurdles, the athletes representing Guyana in those events should be able to pose a challenge for medals, as they were chosen based on their respective events that were closer to the Steeplechase and Hurdles.
The hurdlers are Hosea Glen and Terrence Fraser, while Nigel Gonsalves and Ronaldo Wishart have promised to run their hearts out in the Steeplechase in a bid to do Guyana proud.
Caesar, Phillips and Rogers will be expecting stiff competition from their Brazilian counterparts, as Brazil boasts the best sprint team in South America and are also the defending champions, having won the last staging of the Youth Games in Ecuador by amassing a total of 39 medals, including 17 gold. In that year, Ecuador had finished second place; however, Guyana will be hoping to go one better.
Brazilian female sprinter Lorraine Barbosa Martins is one standout athletes of whom much is expected. The Brazilian lineup comprises largely of seasoned athletes who have performed at a previous staging of the South American Junior Championships.
This weekend will see well over 300 athletes from across 12 different South American countries compete for top spots and a chance to travel to the World Championship in 2018.
Tickets to the Games cost $500 each, and are available at the Leonora Synthetic Track, White Castle Fish Shop, the LOC office on Light Street, and the head office of the GOA. These tickets are for admittance for the morning and evening sessions.
Today’s action starts at 6:30 AM with the 10,000 Metres Walk Race, and will end mid-morning with the 1500 metres Men’s final. Action will resume in the afternoon at 5:00PM and continue to 10:00PM. In the afternoon session, the highly anticipated 100 Metres Men’s and women’s final will be run off.
Guyana’s contingent is comprised as follows: (Girls) Kenisha Phillips, Onasha Rogers, Avon Samuels, Collia Rowe, Joanna Archer, Claudrice McKoy, Serena Williams, Leyanna Charles, Kezra Murray, Delcia Harper, Tatyana Blair, Shontel Browne, Chantoba Bright, Ruth Sanmoogan, Mian McPherson, Kimberly Hilliman, Jamacia Scott, Cassie Small, Tonya Rawlins, Tiffauna Garnett and Tandiaka Haynes.
(Boys): Compton Caesar, Tyrell Peters, Laurindo Prince, Daniel Williams, Anfernee Headecker, Samuel Lynch, Ruel Chester, Matthew McKenzie, Rondell Newton, Rickie Williams, Joshua Williams, Ronaldo Wishart, Nigel Gonsalves, Terrence Fraser, Anthony Williams, Ronaldo Greene, Jermaine Simmons, Timothy Sealy, Tremaine Beckles, Jonathan Garnett, Jermaine King, Ryan Bramble, Dennis Roberts, Stayon Wilson, Jonathon Copeland and Tevin Nicholson.
