Sports Monday: Belize brings home medals in Central American Table Tennis Competition
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.
The annual BCA September Criterium took center stage in Belize City as it ran through the Albert Street/Regent Street circuit yesterday to the delight of the many fans that turned up for the event. As we pan the start, we find the 2013 Cross Country Champion, Darnell Barrow, and a host of elite riders looking for the bog W today and we must mention the best from among the weekend warriors ranks were also in the hunt in this 30 laps feature. And well, they’re off…some 40 riders strong. The 1st real move of the ride finds a 4 man unit featuring Byron pope and Darnell Barrow, Erwin Middleton and Joel Borland extricating themselves from the pelathon. However the main pack remains well within striking distance and could make that move given the opportunity.
Nevertheless with 4 laps to go, Byron Pope and Erwin Middleton make it a 2 man lead, as Joel Borland falls off the pass to 3rd place; while Darnell Barrow begins to show signs of struggle around this juncture. So it’s money time now and Byron Pope of Benny’s Megabytes is just unbeatable going to the tape despite a gallant performance from Erwin Middleton of Capital City Cycling Club who has to settle for 2nd. Joel Borland of Belize Telemedia rolls in uncontested for 3rd place. Now here’s the 3 man sprint for 4th and 5th. And it is Mark Staine of Megabytes edging out Manuel Ayala Balan of Depredadores for 4th place. Meanwhile the Junior Class 15 laps race was a monster also and it’s an 8 man sprint when Oscar Quiros pulls the trigger and takes it all home to give Xibalban the big Win. Despite him impressive challenge, Giovanni Lovell of Belize Telemedia settles for 2nd and Brandon Morgan of Benny’s Megabutes pulls up 3rd.
In fact folks, every race on the ticket was competitive and here’s the finish of the open weekend warriors ride as Barney brown of Scotia Bank powers him for the win with no one in sight. Now here’s the battle for 2nd and Ernest Thurton of Santino’s survives a cruel challenge from Wilbert Jones of B.T.L. 4G to grab that honor forcing Jones into 3rd. in the master’s class, Jose Choto of Belikin Western Spirit took 1st place. Barney Brown of Scotia Bank is 2nd and Dwight Lopez of BELCAL, 3rd. Kirah Eiley easily beat her BECOL teammate Patricia Chavarria to win the female category. Finally, Andy Faber won the 11 to 13 years class and Tyler Perry beat our Andrew Green and Darien Anderson in that order to win the open youth category.
Turning to the Table Tennis Scene, the 15th Central American Masters Championship was hosted by Belize inside the Belize Elementary School Auditorium and here’s a look at the opening ceremony on Saturday featuring athletes from Costa Rica, Els Salvador, Panama, Mexico and the homeland of course in the knock our stage. We caught up with Sundays finals in the 30-39 category and here’s the final point of championship match. Carlos Velasquez of Costa Rica serves and Amilcar Alvarado of Panama responds. And you can see the high level of play but the win goes to Costa Rica. Roberto Landeverde and Ricardo Sosa of El Salvador both finished 3rd. at the 50-59 class, Jose Ranvo of El Salvador rallies past Mexico’s Lee Harper for top honors with Luis Salazar of El Salvador and Carlos Mendez of Mexico finishing 3rd. at the 60 to 64 category, Gerardo Villagra of Costa Rica smashes his way past Daniel Sosal of El Salvador for the win with Belizeans hector Lopez and Davis Huang, both finishing 3rd.
Meanwhile, Belize’s best finish came in 65+ category as Eric Stamp beat Herbert Zamora of Costa Rica to grab the gold and we say heartfelt congratulations. Albert Petana of Costa Rica and Alfredo Singuenza of El Salvador finished in 3rd place. Checking the team results, Ricardo Sosa and Gabriel Sosa of El Salvador took the 30-39 class with Carlos Velasquez and Adrian Vargas of Costa Rica while Billy Musa Junior and Nicholas Martin gave Belize 3rd place. Raul Sanchez and Jose Ramos of El Salvador beat Eric Morales and Juan Garcia of Guatemala to win the 40 to 49 class. Jose Vinanco and Alejandro Sanchez of Mexico got past Jorge Mora and Na Chang Wen of Costa Rica to win the 50 to 59 class as Arturo Vasquez and Carlos Cui brought 3rd place to Belize. While the 60+ class saw the gold go to Carlos Quiros. Gerardo Villagra of Costa Rica beat their countrymen, Herbert Zamora and Alberto Petana for top honors whole Eric Stamp and Ernesto Rivero of Belize finished 3rd. overall, Costa Rica won 11 medals, El Salvador was next with 9, Mexico totaled 8, while Belize finished in 4th place with 6 medals—1 gold and 5 bronze.
Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.
