Pan Am Games 2023: Quarter-final exit for boxer Keevin Allicock

Kevin Allicock’s dream of qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has been put on hold, at least for now, following his quarter-final exit from the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, on Monday afternoon.

His opponent, Jahmal Harvey, who won gold at the 2021 World Championship in the Featherweight division, brought physicality and aggression in the Men’s 57kg contest.

Allicock, who eased to a technical knockout victory in his previous bout, had to pull out all stocks and a plan to combat Harvey’s confidence to attack.

Though Allicock weaved away from some severe hits, Harvey struck, and the Guyanese had his counterpunches, which tamed Harvey.

As the cheers for Harvey grew, the natives also found a likeness to Allicock, and the Spanish-speaking fans cheered vociferously for the Guyanese at the Olympic Training Centre.

Though a swift trade-off of punches ended round three, the judges scored the contest 30-27, 29-28, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27 in favour of Harvey.

The last boxing medal for Guyana at the Pan Am Games was secured by Clive Atwell, who earned a bronze in the Men’s 54kg category at the 2007 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Before the aforementioned, Guyana won two bronze medals in the 1991 Games in Havana, Cuba, via Terrence Poole (81kg) and Stephan Rose (51kg). Poole is the current National coach.

In his post-fight interview, Allicock said there were “no excuses” for defeat as he highlighted a shoulder injury.

However, the confidence is still effervescent as he explained he will secure the desired result of another Olympic qualification from the other opportunities in 2024.

Raekwon Noel in action during the 800m Freestyle (PHOTO: Guyana Olympic Association/Akeem Greene/October 23/2023)

SWIMMING

Olympian Aleka Persaud clocked 1:00.96s to finish second in Heat One of the 100m Freestyle.

The race was won by Grenadian Tilly Collymore (59.87s), but unfortunately, neither of the two progressed to the top 16.

American Amy Fulmer (54.78s) had the fastest qualifying time. Persaud had entered the race with a time of 1:00.67s – the current national record.

A day prior, she lowered the national record in the 100m butterfly to 1:05.75s. She will compete in the 50m Freestyle on Tuesday from 09:01h.

Meanwhile, Raekwon Noel clocked 8:34.68s to finish third in his 800m Freestyle. It was way slower than his entry time of 8:29.52.

Brazilian Guilherme Costa clocked a new Pan-Am record of 7:53.01s to win gold.