Pan Am Games medallists get financial rewards from GOA

GOA president Godfrey Munroe presents the cash incentives to medallist Leslain Baird (left) and coach Johnny Gravesande

What they did

On his fourth attempt, Baird produced his best throw, a new season best of 78.23m. American Curtis Thompson (79.65m) and Brazilian Henrique Nunes (78.45m) took gold and silver.

Heading into the final as the second-fastest qualifier, Abrams maintained her position in Lane 5 and even challenged for gold until Cuban De La Caridad García (11.36s) pulled away in the final meters.

The Guyanese clocked 11.52s, while Trinidadian Michelle-lee Ayhe (11.53s) got bronze.

Proud Guyanese! Emanuel Archibald and Jasmine Abrams celebrate their success in the 100m finals at the Pan American Games 2023

Archibald made a strong start in Lane 1 and kept with the top two until a close finish, as the Guyanese secured bronze in 10.31s (.310)

Silver went to Brazilian Felipe Bardi, who also had 10.31s (.302), while gold went to Alnardo Gonzalez of the Dominican Republic with 10.30 seconds.

(Click HERE and HERE to read more about Guyana’s performance at the Pan Am Games)

GOA president Godfrey Munroe (left), Assistant Secretary General Emilia Ramdhani (second left) and Secretary General Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon (right) share a moment with Pan Am Games medallist in the Men’s Javelin, Leslain Baird (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/November 11, 2023)

GOA rewarding performance

This is the second time the Godfrey Munroe-led GOA has rewarded national athletes financially, following their recognition of the Commonwealth Youth Games athletes in early September.

Munroe congratulated the athletes on their performances, noting that the GOA is satisfied with their efforts at the  Games.

He urged them to continue to push harder at the upcoming qualifying events in their respective disciplines, with their next aim being the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Munroe added that the GOA is keen on rewarding athletes, and this is just a small gesture that he hopes will grow with the passage of time.

Apart from Baird and Gravesande, boxers Keevin Allicock, Alesha Jackman and Emmanuel Pompey; Table tennis coach Idi Lewis; Physiotherapist Vanessa Wickham; Taekwondo Manager/Coach Ramphal Ramjeet; Badminton player Priyanna Ramdhani; and Weightlifter Krystol Chanderban were physically present at the GOA.

They were joined by the other athletes/officials via a Zoom call.

The general consensus was the Pan Am Games was a great learning experience, and one of the major challenges was adopting to the low temperatures in Chile.

Team Guyana

Archery

  • Wayne De Abreu

Athletics

  • Emanuel Archibald – Men’s 100 and 200 Metres
  • Leslain Baird – Men’s Javelin
  • Keliza Smith – Women’s 100 Metres
  • Jasmine Abrams – Women’s 400 Metres
  • Aliyah Abrams – Women’s 400 metres
  • Johnny Gravesande – Coach

Badminton

  • Priyanna Ramdhani – Women’s Singles
  • Jonathan Mangra – Coach

Boxing

  • Desmond Amsterdam – Men’s 80kg
  • Keevin Allicock – Men’s 57kg
  • Alesha Jackman – Female 66kg
  • Emmanuel Pompey – Men’s 92kg
  • Joel Williamson – Men’s 63.5kg
  • Terrence Poole- Coach

Table Tennis

  • Shemar Britton – Men’s Singles and Mixed Doubles
  • Chelsea Edghill – Women’s Singles and Mixed Doubles
  • Idi Lewis – Coach

Taekwondo

  • Ceili Peterson – Women’s Kyorugi -49 Kg
  • Ramphal Ramjeet – Manager/Coach

Weightlifting

  • Krystol Chanderban – Women’s 52 KG
  • Shammah Noel – Men’s 81kg
  • Sean Cozier –  Coach

Swimming

  • Alika Persaud
  • Raekwon Noel
  • Sean Baksh- Coach

Esport

  • Hemchandra Persaud athlete – Soccer
  • Shoaib Juman-Yassin Coach/Manager

Physiotherapist

  • Vanessa Wickham

Chef de Mission

  • Mr. Deion Nurse