The Virgin Islands’ team at the Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games. Photo: Bahamas Athletics / Kermit Taylor
Thrower, Dijimon Gumbs won the Virgin Islands’ first ever medal for a Commonwealth Youth Games at the 6th edition of the Games hosted in Nassau, Bahamas.
Dijimon received the Bronze medal in discus on July 20 with a heave of 56.24m. First place went to Connor Bell of New Zealand (63.17) and second place to James Tomlinson of Wales (60.11).
Beyonce Defreitas went on to earn the VI’s second medal when she won silver in the 200m event with a time of 23.88. First place went to Riley Day of Australia (23.42) and the bronze to Ella Connolly of Australia (24.09).
“We are tremendously proud of the sterling performances by Dijimon Gumbs and Beyonce Defreitas as well as the performances of the rest of the team,” said Mr. Ephraim Penn, President of the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) in its capacity as the BVI Commonwealth Games (BVICGA). “Winning the Virgin Islands’ first medals at a Commonwealth Youth Games is definitely a special milestone in the Territory’s sporting history and we congratulate the athletes with their success. We also recognise the efforts and results of all our athletes who, on the whole, were able to keep their focus in competition. We encourage them all to continue on the path of success, taking lessons learned and putting them into action for future games and competitions and not least, to share their experiences of the friendly games with their family and friends – it has surely been a memorable one!”
On day 1 of competitions (Wednesday, July 19), tennis player Adrian Baijnauth lost in two sets (2-6, 0-6) to Arki Nobbs of Norfolk Island in the Men Singles. Later that evening, the BVI delegation was invited to the Atlantis Resort for a reception to honour the visit of the Queen’s Baton.
Day 2 of competition (Thursday, July 20) was the beginning of Track and Field events. The BVI team performed admirably with the following results:
Djimon Gumbs – Bronze medal in the Discus (56.24m)
Diamante Gumbs – 6th Discus (50.67m Personal Best)
Arianna Hayde – 6th Long Jump (5.57m)
Joshua Hill – 5th in 400m heat (49.75s)
Mikkel Bassue – 7th in 100m (10.90 P.B in Semifinals and 10.86 P.B in the finals)
Diamante Gumbs – 4th in Shot Put (16.66)
Day 3 of competition (Friday, July 21) was the continuation of Track and Field events with the following results:
Beyonce DeFreitas – 1st in 200m heat (25.01)
Mikkel Bassue – 6th in 200m heat (22.73)
Diamante Gumbs – 6th in Shot Put Finals (16.03)
Day 4 of competition (Saturday, July 22) continued with Track and Field events with the following result:
Beyonce DeFreitas – 2nd in 200m finals (23.88 having run 24.14 in the preceding semi finals)
Arianna Hayde – 5th in Javelin (44.73)
Prior to competitions, the opening ceremony started on Tuesday July 18th with Dijimon Gumbs being the flag bearer of the VI delegation. The VI stood proud among the 71 participating countries as they marched across the stadium in front of the gathered crowd. The closing ceremony rounded off the Games on Sunday, July 23.
The delegation of athletes, coaches (Malcolm Dabreo – Tennis, Omar Jones -Field, Willis Todman – Track, Physio, Chester Levi), Chef de Mission, Sabinah Clement, and President of the BVICGA, Ephraim Penn returned to the VI on Monday, July 24 to be greeted with a welcome ceremony.
Click on the ling for complete results: https://results.bahamas2017cyg.com/static/eng/zz/engzz_general-general-schedule.htm
