Pro Cyclist Kaya Cattouse Makes History in Cozumel, Mexico
Goodnight, and welcome to this special edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. Belize hosted the Eighth Central American Cricket Championship Tournament over the weekend. The four-day event saw teams from Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico and London battle it out. On Thursday morning, the action began in Bermudian Landing where the Belize National Cricket B Team faced off against the Marleybone Cricket Club (MCC) out of London.
MCC was first to bat, while team Belize fielded in this T20 match. At the end of the first half, MCC had scored one hundred and ninety-four runs. After Belize’s B team completed twenty overs, it only managed to score fifty-eight points, giving the more experienced MCC the victory in that match. In the second game of the day, it was Belize National Cricket A Team up against MCC. Team Belize was first up to bat. At the end of the first twenty overs, Belize scored ninety-two runs. Belize’s A Team gave MCC its greatest challenge on this day; however MCC was able to score ninety-seven runs in twenty overs, defeating Belize by only five runs.
On Friday morning, the action moved over to the Lord’s Bank Cricket Grounds where Belize’s B Team went up against Costa Rica. Team Costa Rica was first up to bat. At the close of twenty overs, they were able to put one hundred and eleven runs on the score board. During their round of batting, Belize’s B Team showed tact and skills, as they played their way to a victorious finish over Costa Rica. Belize’s A Team also defeated Costa Rica that same day, seventy-three to sixty-nine runs.
On Sunday, Belize’s A Team took on Mexico for a chance at the finals against the tournament’s undefeated MCC. Mexico was first to bat. At the end of the overs, they secured a total of eighty-four runs. Team Belize only needed eighty-five runs to defeat Mexico and make it to the finals. But, Belize was unable to outscore Mexico, finishing the match with sixty-three runs. The final matchup between MCC and Mexico ended in favor of MCC, making the Marleybone Cricket Club the official champions of the Eighth Central American Cricket Championship Tournament held here in Belize.
Tim Cooper
Tim Cooper, Tour Manager, Marylebone Cricket Club
“We were undefeated, but as we talked about the Belize guys schooled us in the first practice game and we learnt a huge amount from that. By being able to get use to the conditions and start to know what to expect, that really set things up nicely for us to be honest.”
Marconi Leal
Marconi Leal, Area Representatives, Belize Rural North
“I am extremely happy to have been a part of this tournament. I know we prepared for weeks before this and now we are at the end. I was hoping that one of the Belize team would have been victorious after this weekend but it did not happen. But, we are happy and I want to congratulate MCC and Mexico for being our champion and sub-champion.”
We would like to say a huge shout out to RY Productions for bringing all of Belize’s matches and the final match live on social media.
And from Cricket we move over to cycling action. A delegation of Belizean cyclists travelled to Cozumel, Mexico to compete in the Cedral Classic 2023. Among the Belizean riders were heavy hitters like Ray Cattouse who have been riding this race in Mexico for the past three decades. But, the big story coming out of this event is all about his daughter, Kaya Cattouse, an elite cyclist who rides professionally in the U.S., and her historic feat. Over a decade ago, Kaya followed in the footsteps of her father and began racing in Cedral Classic. Over the weekend she secured her tenth consecutive win in the classic, making her the first cyclist to do so. We spoke with her about the accomplishment.
Kaya Cattouse
Kaya Cattouse, Professional Cyclist
“Winning a race one time is a huge accomplishment, let alone ten. I have been traveling to Mexico with my father as a child before I even started to race and this race in Cozumel was actually one of the first races he started to take me to do back in 2012. From then until now I have been winning.”
Paul Lopez
“Let’s talk about some of the unique features of this race when compared to racing the cross country in Belize.”
Kaya Cattouse
“Well, it is a road race. It is a bit shorter than the cross country. It is forty-six miles. However, the thing in Cozumel is the winds. Because it is an island and you race along the seas side the cross winds are brutal and that is what makes the race really hard.”
Paul Lopez
“You stood on the podium in first place for the tenth time, what was that like? And, does it ever get old or boring standing on the podium in first place?”
Kaya Cattouse
“It never does, because every victory is sweet and to everyone you really need to put in the work. Early this year I was in an accident at the end of February. I had serious injuries, fractured some ribs and it really held me back and that was seen in the Cross Country this year. I am still in recovery mode however this is a part of what sport is about. It is the passion, the determination to set goals and accomplish them all the time. Injury is a setback but you have to push your body and push yourself to get through these things.”
Huge congratulations to Kaya Cattouse who continues to excel in the discipline. She is preparing to race in the U.S. shortly alongside her LA Sweat teammates.
The Belize Under-Fifteen Boys National Team has been in Costa Rica competing in the UNCAF FIFA Forward U15 Boys Tournament. On Friday, team Belize took on Guatemala. After ninety minutes of playtime, Belize lost the match one goal to four. And then on Sunday, Belize was back out on the field to take on Honduras. That game ended in favor of Honduras, seven goals to zero. And, this morning, Belize took on Panama in its final matchup of the tournament. Panama dominated in that match. They scored eleven goals while team Belize secured two goals. Notwithstanding the loss, here is a look at those two goals scored.
And, finally for tonight’s coverage, the Belize Elite Basketball League’s highly anticipated rematch between the Belize City Defenders and the Benny’s Belize Hurricanes took place on Friday night inside the Belize City Civic Center. It was a showdown for the books before a sold-out Civic. The face-off was physical and nail-biting all the way down the last minute of the fourth quarter, but when all was said and done the Hurricanes defeated their city rivals seventy-three to sixty-five.
The Hurricanes are now at the number one spot. The Dangriga Dream Ballers currently sit at number two after winning by default over the Punta Gorda Panthers. Orange Walk Running Rebels hold the number three seat, following their victory over the San Pedro Tiger Sharks.
Well folks, that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Until next time, be mindful that nature is the best playground. Go out and have some fun.
