Athletes bring home seven medals from Guatemala
Seven athletes have come back triumphantly from the Central American Senior Championships. The athletes were in Guatemala from Wednesday, June eight until Monday, June thirteenth and won an impressive seven medals in gold, silver, and bronze. But that’s not all because they managed to break two records. And according to the athletes this was not an easy feat as Belize’s lack of adequate facilities made it difficult for the most determined athletes to train for the event. Overall, Belize ended up ranking fourth in women’s events, but did not fare that well in the male competition.
Gavin Courtenay, Reporting
Seven athletes represented Belize in the Central American Senior Championships, and they triumphed with flying colours despite seemingly monumental odds.
Deon Sutherland, Belize Amateur Athletic Association
“We participated in the one hundred, which we had the Central American record for. It was held by Trecia Flowers. That record was in 2005, it was broken by Kaina Arzu this past weekend. so we still have the record, just a different record holder. Also, Belize’s top athlete right now that went to the Olympics, Jonathan Williams, he is out of L.A. He broke his own record. He had the four hundred meter hurdles record in Central America, which was forty-nine point eight seven. He broke that now and it’s forty-nine point seven three. So we have two record holders for Belize. Also we did well win the female one hundred meter relay. We got third place there and we got second place in the long jump. Also Trecia Flores got second place but she is also the record holder in the long jump for Central America s she also broke her own record.”
Some of the athletes weighed in on what the competition was like for them, and how they overcame huge obstacles.
Kay-De Vaughn, Medallist
“Training was very difficult here in Belize. We don’t have proper facilities and so it was very much out of range. When we went to—I went out there a couple of times to train. The first day I was jumping I got hurt, re-injured my ankle. So, it’s definitely not as up to par as the other Central American athletes.”
Tricia Flores, Medallist
“My training was a bit inconsistent due to the injury to my knee because the condition of the track is not too good. So, I had to train like when I go to train, I would get injured so I would have to rest for some time. And then I would go back to train and the same thing happened so I just went out there and tried my best.”
Kaina Martinez, Medallist
“I didn’t train hard for the event. Coming back with the bronze is like a blessing to me because this year I was actually contemplating quitting sports on a whole. The disadvantage that Belize have due to the lack of facilities that we have is not getting athletes like really prepared mentally and all physically going into the competition.”
The renovation of Marion Jones Sporting Complex is at a standstill, and the athletes have been unable to train in proper facilities. Reporting for News Five, Gavin Courtenay.
