Guyana finished third overall at the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Boxing Championship, which concluded on Sunday evening in St. Lucia.
The team claimed five gold medals at the prestigious three-day regional tournament, showcasing both emerging and established talent in the ring.
Leading off Guyana’s campaign was Ken Harvey, who delivered a clinical performance in the Youth 60–63kg Final, earning a Unanimous Decision victory over St. Lucia’s Kirt Kirton.
Rising star Akeelah Vancooten, who was later named Best Female Boxer of the tournament, continued Guyana’s golden run by forcing a Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) against Jada Emmanuel of St. Lucia, asserting her dominance early in their bout.
In the Schoolboys 60–63kg Final, Ryan Rogers added to Guyana’s medal tally after the referee halted his bout against St. Lucia’s Chris Cooper, handing Rogers a convincing RSC victory.
Meanwhile, Terron Wintz, who was later honoured as the Best Youth Boxer of the Championship, delivered one of the most commanding performances of the tournament, dismantling Trinidad and Tobago’s Dornell Philip and winning a gold medal in emphatic fashion.
Emmanuel Pompey rounded out Guyana’s gold medal haul with a hard-fought points victory over Yakita Asaka, showcasing his tactical discipline and ring generalship.
However, not all of Guyana’s boxers had the opportunity to compete.
Abiola Jackman, the reigning Best Female Boxer from last year’s OECS Championship and captain of the team, alongside promising puncher Joel Williamson, were both unable to step into the ring as their opponents failed to show up, resulting in walkovers without a contest.
Photo credit: Kaieteur News.
