Drayton wins National Senior Chess Qualifier

The seven-round National Senior Chess qualifier concluded and the top seven players have been confirmed to compete for the title of National Senior Chess champion later this year.
Anthony Drayton, the top ranked FIDE (World Chess Federation) player in the qualifier, will lead the group into the tournament after having played unbeaten in the event, which was hosted by the Guyana Chess Federation at the National Aquatic Centre, Lilliendaal.
Candidate Master Drayton, with a FIDE rating of 1945, accumulated 6.5 points, inclusive of six victories and a draw against former national champion Taffin Khan.
Khan who has a FIDE rating of 1928 finished second overall with five points but suffered a huge loss to Ronuel Greenidge, who has a rating of 1688. The lone female, Maria Varona-Thomas, also ended with five points.
The other four qualifying players were all locked on 4.5 points, enough to secure their passage to the main championship. Those players are Greenidge, Saeed Anwar Ali, Glenford Corlette and Loris Nathoo.

GAPLF Novices/Juniors Championships
69 year-old Cummings, White, Oudit, Taharally set new records

The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) ran off another successful Novices and Juniors Championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall where a number of records were set whilst new prospects came to the fore watched by a sizable crowd.
The elder statesman of the championships, 69-year old Noel Cummings of Buddy’s Gym, who is also a bodybuilder and Trainer at Buddy’s Gym, competing in the 66kg Masters 4 category set a new National RAW Squat Record of 115kg along with new records in the Bench of 85kg, Deadlift of 140kg and RAW Total of 340kg.
Cummings is oldest competitor in Guyana in this sport and second oldest competitor overall for Guyana behind USA based Nairjanjan Singh who is 74 years old.
Other National Records were set by Runita White (Buddy’s Gym) in the Female Open RAW and Female Junior RAW 84+kg in the Deadlift of 175kg; Lisa Oudit (Buddy’s Gym) in the Female Open RAW 84kg Deadlift 142.5kg, Benchpress 61kg and Total of 328.5kg.
Nadina Taharally also of Buddy’s Gym contesting the Female Open Raw and Female Master 1 RAW 72kg set a new Squat record 123kg, Benchpress of 65.5kg, Deadlift of 157.5kg and Total of 346kg.
The Overall winners were Runita White (Female RAW Novice Overall and Female Equipped Novice Overall, Female Raw Junior Overall Winner), Timothy Bagla (Overall Male Novice Equipped) and Bjorn Williams (Overall Male Novice RAW).

GAWA still aiming to keep muscles flexible despite challenges

President of the Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (GAWA) Frank Tucker and his Technical Director Deion Nurse are in sync when it comes to the forward thrust of the association as regards its continued fight to keep the sport alive.
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport on its plans for the year while looking back at what transpired in 2017, Tucker and Nurse are in agreement that attracting young people to the sport continues to be one of their biggest hurdles.
They noted that migration, the quest to get better jobs and the extra lesson syndrome are some of the reasons why youths are not being attracted to the sport despite the association trying its utmost.
Notwithstanding these challenges, the GAWA has been out and about locally and on the international scene trying to keep the sport in the spotlight.
The association has put together a very ambitious budget of $17.5M which would cover expenses associated with its 2018 Calender of Activities. Some of the activities include attendance at the Pan American Weightlifting Federation Congress in Santo Domingo (Feb 23-25 – $300,000); National Development Meet (March 25 – $100,000); Manuel Suarez Tournament in Cuba (March 12-17 – $946,000); Commonwealth Games in Australia (April 4-15 – $1,320.000); 78^th Anniversary Celebrations (May – $400,000); Pan American Senior Championships in the Dominican Republic (May – $1,485,000); South American Games in Bolivia (June – $990,000), Pan American Masters in Canada (June – $$1,320,000); National Open Championships (June $200,000); IWF World Junior Championships in Uzbekistan (July – $1,950,000); Central American and Caribbean Games in Colombia (July-August – $990,000); IWF World Masters in Spain (August – $1,890,000); Pan American Junior Championships in Ecuador (September – $1,500,000); Youth Olympic Games in Argentina (October – $1,350,000); IWF World Championships in Turkmenistan (November – $$1,950,000) and the Caribbean Championships in Barbados (November – $800,000).
The association has also scheduled fund raising activities for April, June and August as a means to help itself in offsetting some of the forecasted expenses.
The body continues to host training sessions at the Michael Parris Fitness Center located in the National Park and is encouraging persons interested in joining the sport to visit them there.
The annual General Meeting is slated for the Guyana Olympic Headquarters on February 24, next. (Franklin Wilson)

GuyanaNRA/IPSC Level 2 Shoot
Ryan McKinnon, Mohamed Qualander are Production and Standard Division top shots

When the dust from the multiplicity of shots was finally settled last Sunday afternoon at the Timehri Rifle Ranges following intense competition in the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA)/Smallbore Section/IPSC Level 2, Six-Stage Shoot, emerging as the Overall champions were Ryan McKinnon (Box Production) and Mohamed Qualander in the Standard Pistol Division.
International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) Regional Director for Guyana Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson carried out the mandate of bringing off this Level 2 competition which was a big step from the Level 1 Shoots held in the previous years.
Over 2000 rounds were expended at the competition as the day was punctuated by constant reverberating gun fire from the 9mm’s, Glocks, CZ Shadow 2s and the lone Shay Akai Custom, STI 2011, Edge in 40 calibers.
Limited modifications were allowed in the two categories. In winning the Production category, Ryan McKinnon secured a 100% with his Shadow 2 and was followed by Rajiv Latchana 78.8816 (Glock 17), Terry Milling 67.2490 (Shadow 2), Dr. Johan DaSilva 56.7680 (Shadow 2) and Leslie Lewis 33.9382 (Glock 17).
Similarly, in the Standard Division, Mohamed Qualander also garnered a 100% score with his Glock 35 and was followed by Harold Hopkinson 81.6220 (Akai STI 2011), Azaad Hassan 75.7796 (Glock 17), Surujbali Persaud 67.5275 (Glock 17) and Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon 65.9857 (Glock 17) the lone female on show.
The organisers are expressing thanks to the following sponsors for making the event a success; Queensway Group of Companies, Osric Hacker, Regional Director Harold Hopkinson and Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc.

MRSC’s King of the Strip Drag Race meet
Record holder Team Mohamed’s looks to maintain their dominance

All systems are in place for the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club’s (GMRSC) first drag race meet of the year, the “King of the Strip” meet which will see local and Surinamese dragtsers going head to head at the South Dakota Circuit today.
Over 60 entries were registered by Friday evening and it was noted that the final figure could be significantly higher as entries were coming in quickly.
One of the latest teams to confirm their participation is Team Mohamed’s, the current holders of the strip record. Team Mohamed’s are powered by the sleek unstoppable pair of Nissan GT-R Nismo sports cars. The GT-R, nicknamed “Goliath” blew away the opposition during GMRSC drag meet dubbed “Reaction” last year March, to etch a seemingly unbeatable record time of 7.5 seconds.
Speaking to Kaieteur Sport, a representative of Team Mohamed’s noted that they are confident of making light work of all the competitors in the unlimited class.
The representative further noted that Shawn Persaud (Toyota Caldina), an eight time second class winner who recently upped to the unlimited class is one of the top challengers to get pass their “Goliath” but even though he has registered the third best strip time of 8.33 seconds, he is almost a second off the record of 7.5 seconds.
Team Mohamed’s are unfazed by the Challengers and some exciting races can be expected today when the “King of the Strip” speeds off.
The event is also confirmed to attract a host of Surinamese competitors.
Entrance fees are $1,000 for adults, $500 for children. The rent-a-tent VIP will be available for $3,000.

The GUMDAC Annual Open Doubles Badminton Tournament concludes

The GUMDAC Annual Open Doubles Badminton Tournament concluded at the National Gymnasium.  In its fifth year the tournament is sponsored by Mr. Darrell Carpenay, Managing Director of GUMDAC.  The Events played were Open Men & Ladies Doubles and Mixed Doubles. This tournament opened the first GBA Local Events for the Year 2018.
The Final evening saw intense matches in the Finals of the Men Doubles where the youngsters Jonathan Mangra & Ronald Chang Yuen defeated the seasoned senior players Marlon Chung & Darrell Carpenay in a thrilling three games play off.
Third place went to William Holder & Haymant Ramdhani who gained a walkover from Javid Rahaman & Ernesto Choo-A-Fat.
In the Mixed Doubles Finals Priyanna Ramdhani & Ronald Chang Yuen defeated Marlon Chung & Shivannie Persaud in straight sets: 21-19, 21-16.
Third Place went to Darrell Carpenay & Ayanna Wickham-Watson who defeated youngsters Akili Haynes & Jayde DaSilva: 22-20, 21-9.

NAMILCO on board again for Petra’s 3^rd Annual Futsal tourney

The National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) is on board again with the Petra Organisation for the entity’s Third Annual Fustal tournament which is set for kickoff on February 24^th at the National Gymnasium.
This was announced at a press briefing at the Company’s, Agricola East Bank Demerara, office. At the simple ceremony, NAMILCO’s Finance Executive Fitzroy McLeod expressed pleasure on being able to support the venture. “NAMILCO is concerned that young Guyanese citizens should always have options which allows them to make positive choices and pursue healthy and productive pathways.”
The company has committed to cover the first and second prizes of the competition to the tune of $750,000. Co-Director of the Petra Organisation Troy Mendonca, expressed appreciation for the support by NAMILCO.
This tournament is expected to feature teams the likes of Alpha Warriors, Pro Kleaners-Campbellville, Showstoppers, Mocha, Agricola, Plaisance, Sparta Boss, Ol Skool Ballers, Leopold Street, Albouystown, Kingstown, North East La Penitence, Back Circle, West Front Road, North Ruimveldt, Tiger Bay, Broad Street, Channel 9, Bent Street, Tucvllle, Alexander Village, Future Stars, NK Ballers and Sophia.
Meanwhile, as an incentive for teams in the group stage, the top finishers will get an additional $40,000, second-place $30 000, third-place $20,000 and fourth-place $10,000. In addition, the MVP of the tournament as well as a lucky fan will ride away with one motorbike each.