|
Beast Is Best
(7 October 2000) - The Courts Powerhouse National Bodybuilding Championships came off Saturday evening at the Cultural Centre. Fifteen athletes, including two women, took part. For all intents and purposes, though, it came down to just two guys: Julian Felix and Rolandson "the Beast" Auguste, contesting the light heavy/heavyweight division. Felix is one of St. Lucia's most successful contemporary athletes, winning at national, regional and international level. Auguste, out of competition for some time, had had a major rivalry with the Beast in the 90's. The close friends renewed their on-stage battle Saturday evening.
Impressive though Julian was, he never looked his best. Rolandson, huge and ripped, impressed the crowd and judges, winning his division in what still must have been a hard call. He also won the overall title. Raymond Daniel got the better of Martin Pinel for the second consecutive time in the welter/lightweight division, having beat him at the Post-Independence competition. The bantam/lightweight category produced another classic encounter between Lawrence "Robocop" Stevens and Alphonsus "Shortman" Joseph, with Robocop again besting Joseph. The veteran Shortman got his just desserts, however, outposing Winston Spooner in the masters class. Three young posers made their debuts at Nationals, but Evans Bellasse posed like a veteran to beat Maltus Monrose into second place among the novices. In a (very) welcome return to women's posing, Melisha Thomas bested training partner Monica Dudley.
Meanwhile, just days before the Championships, Association president Gilbert Spooner tendered his resignation, leaving entrepreneur Jacqueline Augustin in charge. Like his predecessor, Cornelius Sidonie, Spooner is pursuing a Masters degree, leaving him unable to fulfil his duties.
ñ BACK TO TOP OF PAGE ..
Looking Good On The Road To TnT
(1 October 2000) - They've lost a game this year, only they were playing against boys (even then, they only lost 1-nil, after missing from the penalty spot). In games against other distaff teams, the St. Lucia national women's football side has yet to lose. They're yet to concede a goal!
Playing St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the Mindoo Philip Park in August, St. Lucia outperformed their more physical neighbours to win 2-0. Sunday at Arnos Vale, the St. Lucians came out, according to captain Lisa Vidal and coach Victorin Weekes, looking "a bit disorganised." They'd been working on their midfield, the chemistry not quite there, and it seemed as if they had had only middling results.
Then came the first goal, from Shenelle Joseph, a screamer from 25 yards that seemed to settle the side. Then Tia Clarke, again from distance, gave the visitors a 2-0 halftime advantage. Kelly-Ann St. Clair didn't wait long to add to the tally, and when Vidal chipped in as well, the rout was well and truly on. The clincher, though, was a beauty, Vanessa Jean producing a header from a corner kick. Once again, the defence had come through, and St. Lucia won 5-0.
Earlier this year, both teams qualified for the semifinals of the Caribbean Football Union Women's Gold Cup competition, to be played in Trinidad and Tobago later this month. The coaching staff is hoping that one more warmup match is in the offing before they leave for Port of Spain.
As well as St. Lucia's women have played this year, they have a very difficult challenge ahead. The host territory and Surinam have been playing warmup games as well, but they've been meeting teams like Brazil, one of the world's top-rated sides. They'll be ready for the OECS teams.
ñ BACK TO TOP OF PAGE ..
Just Bring It
(7 October 2000) - National sprint champion Nathan Justin is getting set to face the world, as he heads to Chile for the World Junior Track and Field Championships. Just nineteen, Justin has had an impressive year already. After dominating his events at the NCB/SLDB National Championships, he reached CARIFTA under-20 boys' 400m final, where he ran a personal best. He then went on to dominate again at National Championships in May, breaking the men's junior 200m record.
Justin has been training under Hugh Breustraal, his club coach with Abilene in Vieux Fort, and he'll be leaving for the southernmost South American territory on Friday. The Micoud youth will be accompanied by Wayne Burton.
ñ BACK TO TOP OF PAGE ..
Football Roundup
(7 October 2000) - Micoud side Boca Juniors booked their place in the semifinals of the 2000 Heineken FA Cup after a scoreless home draw against White House of Dennery. The first leg, in Dennery, had produced a 1-1 draw, allowing Boca to advance from the East Coast derby on the away goals rule.
Also through are Rovers United of Mabouya Valley, who drew 3-3 on aggregate with Ghetto Stars Youth Organisation of Soufriere, winning 3-0 on penalties. VSADC were held to a goal-less draw in ANSI la Raye by Foundations, but VS had all but secured their spot in the next round with a 3-1 home win.In the Premier League quarterfinals, Sean Kirton scored for VSADC against Niabinghi only to see his strike nullified by goals from Glen Auguste and Desmond Francis. The game was played at the Vigie playing field, VSADC's home ground, as Marchand Ground was unavailable. Nia had defeated VS 3-2 in the first leg, also at Vigie, so they advance to the semis, where they join Northern United out of Gros Islet, along with Vieux Fort teams Roots Alley Ballers and Square United.
ñ BACK TO TOP OF PAGE ..
Local Distance Runners On Overseas Duty
(7 October 2000) - Wayne "Ali" St. Ange and Juliana Actie, two of St. Lucia's foremost distance runners and both members of the Roadbusters Club, traveled to Martinique this weekend to take part in an 8km road race. The two were selected for this race by the Amateur Athletics Association.
Two younger runners, thirteen-year-old Ebony Cherubin and Surelene Hilarie (12) are also traveling this weekend, to Trinidad and Tobago. In the twin island republic, they'll be running the Nesfit Invitational 5km road race, under the watchful eye of Julian Hilaire, their coach with the Grass and Tarmat Club.
ñ BACK TO TOP OF PAGE ..
Good Luck, Zandolis
(5 October 2000) - The Zandolis, St. Lucia's national rugby football team, are off to the French department of Martinique next weekend to take part in the Trophee Coca-Cola tournament, hosted by the Good Luck Rugby Club. Sides from Barbados, Guadeloupe, Trinidad and Tobago and French Guyana have also been invited to take part in this ten-a-side competition.
The St. Lucia team is led by Colvis Samuels, with veteran players including Michael Cowing, Lyndel Norville and Thierry Guillaume joining him on the backline. A lot will also be expected of young Jerry Charles. Leslie Serieux and Douglas George will lend their veteran leadership in the scrum, with talented 21-year-old Marlon Daniel. The team is being assisted by the French Embassy.
ñ BACK TO TOP OF PAGE ..
|
