What’s Happening in Local Sports?

Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday on a Tuesday.

Pressing engagements made Monday’s appearance impossible and we extend our heartfelt apologies to all our supporters and fans. Now, to the business at hand. The CSK Invitational Anniversary Karate Championships took center stage inside the BES Auditorium featuring 2 Belizean teams from the Cayo Dsitrict, the Kazoki, Karate Dojo, a team from Guatemala and one from El Salvador to make it an important international event as the Cayo Shotokan Karate Club celebrated its 24^th anniversary. Of the 60 athletes, Siyah Casey of the CSKL Belmopan with the red belt was the first to catch our eye in the finals of the 12/13 years female category against a game teammate, Drewyan Harrison to win gold. Guatemalan Hansel Samayoa in the blue corner beat his fellow compatriot, Nelson Can in the 14 to 15 male finals.

Caesar Dyck of San Ignacio got the judges nod in a tightly contested faceoff in the finals against Belmopan’s Basil Brown. Rafael Quinterio of Kazoki Shotokan Karate Dojo with the blue belt got the win over teammate Christian Harrison in the 12 to 18 class at 67 kilograms. Rene Flores of El Salvador edged out Deveroux Carillo of Belmopan in the 13 to 18 male class at 67 kilograms. Nevertheless, it was the Cayo Shotokan Karate Club of Belmopan to emerge with the most medals grabbing 11 gold, 12 silver and 16 bronze for a grand total of 39. CSKC of San Ignacio was 2^nd with 6 goals 4 silvers and 2 bronze which adds up to 12. Guatemala picked up 3 gold 3 silver and a bronze for 7; El Salvador was next with 2 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze for 7 and Kazoki Shotokan karate Dojo picked 1 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze.

Turning to the football scene, Saturday match up in the Cayo 1^st Division Season matched up Westrac of Spanish Lookout and IRKA of Benque Viejo hosted at San Ignacio. Elvin Lario of Westrac comes up with this loose ball only to fire this right foot that strays wide of goal. It’s more Spanish Lookout when Elmer Herrera gets this good look at goal but is foiled by goalkeeper Henry Garcia. Nevertheless the 1^st goal comes off this IRKA spot kick that rebounds off the keeper to Salim Alfaro for the 1-zip lead. Westrac immediately looks for the equalizer but this left foot offering bounces off the crossbar. Some 2 minutes later, Fredy Herrera launches this right foot in traffic that ties the ballgame at 1 apiece. So we’ve got a new ballgame.

A few minutes later, Christian Mena takes down Elvin Larios inside the box. He is promptly chased off the field and the referee rules penalty. Elmer Herrera steps up and he gives Westrac the 2-1 lead. So we go to 2^nd half and immediately into the restart IRKA goes offensive with this center that allows Elvin Larios to heed at goal, it’s swatted out by the keeper and eventually reaches Elvin larios who ties the ballgame at 2 apiece. Folks this is a big time save by the Westrac keeper when Elmer Herrera looks for his 2^nd goal of the match with this power strike. Nevertheless, here comes the game winner and it’s this set piece launched by Fredy Herrera and it beats Henry Garcia and yes, Fredy you deserve a free shine. Westrac goes on to post the 3-2 big Win over IRKA of Benque Viejo.

Finally, in cycling news, here’s the start to Sunday’s race from Leslie’s Imports that heads to the Boom Village Junction and would swing back to finish 40 miles later. And it’s Mark Gentle of FT Williams standing in the winner’s circle with top honors in the A Class. James Frampton of Santino’s takes the 2^nd place win and he received the medal for Wilbert Jones of Benny’s who finished 3^rd. Barney Brown of Scotia Bank places 4^th and Jack Sutherland of Digicell 4G rounds out the top 5. In the B Class, it’s Chris Coye of Stationery House/Medina’’s with the big win. Dean Boyce of FT Williams is 2^nd and Ryan Willoughby of Stationery House/Medina’s rounds out the top 3. In the C Class, it was Manuel Esquiliano of Truckers grabbing top honors. Denys Barrow pulled up 2^nd and that’s nig while Valentino Sosa of Truckers rounds out the top 3.

Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.