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VISBA elects Executive Board for Quadrennial

October 28, 2021 by Admin

The Virgin Islands Softball – Baseball Association Executive Board – 2021 – 2025

The Virgin Islands Softball – Baseball Association concluded its annual general meeting on Wednesday, October 27 with a newly elected executive board for the 2021 – 2025 quadrennial.

The newly elected board comprises President Rhodni Skelton, Vice President Glenford “Chappy” Maduro, Secretary General Bria Smith, Assistant Secretary Darier Malone, Treasurer Joi-Ann Thomas, Assistant Treasurer Patricia Hodge , President of Softball Affairs Allen Smith, President of Baseball Affairs Josh Ridgway, Public Relations Officer Shamora Molly Penn-Maduro, Player Representative Jamal Allen, Compliance Officer Sarah Potter-Washington, Statistician Denecia Hodge.

The elections were held at the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports. Newly elected President Skelton joyfully expressed, “With the little bit of youth that’s left in me – together we can foster the youth for years to come and I would like to work closely with the newly elected board and ensure we have something going on the field year round!”

President Ra Skelton reflected on his years and contributions to Softball in the Virgin Islands and looks forward to having “all hands on deck” to ensure things move forward swiftly.

Elected members plan to meet immediately to begin their journey with Softball – Baseball in the Virgin Islands.

BVIFA National League Results Week 1

October 27, 2021 by Admin

Wayne Phillip scored a hat trick in the Panthers FC 4-0 win over One Love FC

Wayne Phillip opened the National League season in some style on Saturday, smashing in a hat trick as the Panthers FC overpowered One Love FC, 4-0 at the East End Stadium venue.

Phillip was irresistible, leading his team to victory with goals in the 2nd, 42nd and 84th minutes, whilst Sheldon Harry found the net in 77th minute

“All in all, we had a collective effort, with lots of passes and the team played well2 commented Phillip “We were extremely aggressive on top, striking a lot of shots on goal, with me getting three and Harry the other. The Panthers played really good football and defended well. Offensively we were aggressive, defensively we were aggressive and had lots of passes, all-over a great team effort and going forward, I think that the future is bright. We have made some changes to the team, a stronger midfield now that we are playing a five and all in all the future looks bright!”

The Sugar Boys FC hosted Wolues FC in the late game over on Virgin Gorda and were surprised to only end up with a share of the points in a 1-1 draw.

The Sugar boys dominated most of the play in the first half missing a few good chances but opening the scoring through a defensive mix up by the Wolues which resulted in an own goal. However, the Wolues improved as the game went on, despite remaining the inferior team on the night and offered the hosts numerous chances to extend their lead, none of which were converted, which the Boys would come to regret when Phillip Nelson equalised from a Noel Maxwell cross in added time at the end of the game.

“’We were happy to find a late draw against a very good team, we rode our luck a little but never gave up and got rewarded at the end with a draw,” noted Nelson.

VG Utd were also indebted to a late late goal, in front of their home crowd, as a Thomas Albert penalty in the 4th minute of added time gave them a 3-2 victory.

Curtly Peters had put the visitors ahead in the 3rd minute, Levon Williams equalised in the 23rd, Austin Prentice restored the advantage to the Rebels in the 42nd and Devante Samuel made it 2-2 in the 73rd, before the late drama unfolded.

The other game of opening weekend saw Old Madrid FC hold the Islanders FC 1-1 as Humphrey Leue equalised in the 81st minute after Patrick Glasgow had opened the scoring in the 65th.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association, BVIFA National League, One Love FC, Panthers F.C.

Sailor Thad Lettsome busy with university racing circuit

October 25, 2021 by Admin

Thad Lettsome (helmsman) races on the Green Wave Team of Tulane University

BVI sailor Thad Lettsome has been keeping busy on the university racing circuit representing the Green Wave Team of Tulane University.

Back in September, Lettsome finished in 4th place at the MAISA Laser North Qualifier in a fleet of 16 sailors. With light winds throughout the weekend, Lettsome was the highest placed finisher for Tulane. With 14 races across the two-day competition, he posted a string of top five finishes including two 1st place finishes and three 2nds.

On October 9 and 10, the Coed team traveled to Connecticut for the Atlantic Coast Championship which was held on the Charles River and featured 18 of the Top 20 teams in the country. The event also served as a sneak peak for the national championship this spring. The Green Wave had to battle back to 9th position and were able to secure the final bid to the finals in the very last race thanks to a strong performance by Thad Lettsome and Gillian Perrell.

“It really came down to Thad and Gillian having to match what the sailors from Bowdoin were looking to do,” head coach Charles Higgins said. “At the end of the day, Thad and Gillian did exactly what we needed them to do.”

The finals took place on the St Mary’s River in Maryland this weekend where the sailing COED team climbed up three spots in the standings to finish fifth out of 18 teams in the Atlantic Coast Championship on Sunday, October 24.

The weekend of October 18, the Nevins Trophy took place at King’s Point in New York with winds from the south ranging from 12 to 22 knots. Taking the helm for races 1 through 10, Lettsome gave the team a strong start towards their final finishing position of fourth overall.

2021 Junior Pan American Games
In November Thad will representing the BVI at the inaugural Junior PanAm Games in Cali, Colombia. Racing in the ILCA 7 (Laser) he will face off against the best sailors of North and South America and the Caribbean.

Filed Under: Cali 2021, Sailing Tagged With: RBVIYC, Royal BVI Yacht Club, Thad Lettsome

BVIFA appoints former England pro footballer as new Men’s National Team coach

October 8, 2021 by Admin

BVIFA appoints former England pro footballer, Chris Kiwomya as Men’s National Team coach

The BVI Football Association President, Mr. Andy Bickerton and 1st Vice President, Mr. Avanel Morton held a press conference on October 8 to welcome Mr. Chris Kiwomya as the new Men’s National Team coach.

Kiwomya has already been active at a camp in the UK for national team players as well as in the BVI overseeing a camp for the U20 boys ahead of their World Cup Qualifiers in the Dominican Republic in November.

“Chris Kiwomya will have responsibility for the men’s national team primarily and overseeing the progress of our younger age group teams such as the Under 20s.” stated Bickerton. “Kiwomya’s background is quite significant in terms of the direction we want to head and, from the BVIFA’s point of view, we are very pleased to have such an experienced coach on board.”

Kiwomya is an English former professional footballer and manager. He played as a forward from 1987 until 2002 – notably in the Premier League for Ipswich Town and Arsenal. He also played in the Football League for Queens Park Rangers, as well as playing abroad for Le Havre, Selangor and AaB. He also played for the England U21 team. After retiring as a player, he went on to gain his UEFA Pro Licence from the English FA and has coached and managed at clubs including Arsenal Academy and Ipswich. In 2013 he had a spell as manager of Notts County.

On taking up his new role, Kiwomya commented that he was looking forward to the challenge of working with the players and making the game more professional.

“It’s going to be a hard journey, but a really good journey and one where we are all going to learn together and work together to improve the standards of football, both as players and as Coaches.”

Morton noted that he had seen Kiwomya at work on a recent trip to the UK and had been impressed with his communication skills, levels of knowledge and the discipline with which he conducted his sessions. “He also has national pride and will be an asset to our organisation,” noted Morton

Part of Kiwomya’s role also will be to work with the Technical Director to put together a coaching philosophy and to implement a DNA of how we want to play football here on the island, but, as Kiwomya confirmed, “all the coaches will be involved and one thing I guarantee is the players will improve and get better so they are competitive, and we can go into games believing we can win!“

One of the main reasons Kiwomya was keen to accept the role was the hard-working ethos he had witnessed. “Basically I saw a lot of young players at the UK camp and also on Tortola and Virgin Gorda with talent and who are willing to work hard, which fits into how I like to work, and it suits me that they are keen to learn.”

Kiwomya has hit the ground running, not only with last weekend’s U20 Camp, but also putting together some strength and conditioning programmes for players. “It’s not all just about training, but sometimes also about physical work and getting the body stronger.”

Kiwomya will also be helping the women’s programme develop and will be working with the coaches, watching some of the training sessions and using his experience to get the women better technically and tactically.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: BVI Football Association, Chris Kiwomya, Men's National Football Team Coach

BVI Olympic Committee elections add 2 new names to returning Executive Board

October 8, 2021 by Admin

The BVI Olympic Committee AGM held the evening of Thursday, October 7 concluded with the elections of the members of the Executive Board that will sit for the next quadrennial and which ends following the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The newly elected board comprises President Ephraim Penn, 1st Vice President Sabinah Clement, 2nd Vice President Ralston Henry, Secretary General Lloyd Black, Treasurer Mark Chapman, and Member At Large Gloria Fahie. Ashley Kelly sits as chair of the BVIOC Athletes’ Commission.

The elections were conducted at the BVIOC office at Road Reef Plaza and were overseen by an independent election committee comprising Mrs. Kisheba Sprauve-Callwood, Mr. Gareth Thomas and Mr. Kayron Todman.

Re-elected for his fourth term in seat, President Penn is looking forward to strengthening and solidifying the sports development pathways for national federations and their members and promoting the Olympic Values communitywide.

“Thank you to all the National Federations for attending the AGM and participating in the election and thank you to the election committee for your professional and excellent service. On behalf of the newly elected Executive, I thank you for your support and acknowledge the trust placed in us to continue the work of the BVIOC to support athletes on the road to major games and to facilitate sports development through grants and opportunities offered by the IOC, Olympic Solidarity and PanAm Sports.

“We also will continue to promote and help secure the community-based Long Term Athlete Development programme, which is already being rolled out in our schools through the Physical Literacy programme,” said President Penn.

In welcoming new executive members, Ralston “Grandfather” Henry and Gloria Fahie, President Penn also acknowledged the work of Past 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents, Hon. Neville Smith and Mr. Roy Barry.

“Grandfather and Gloria, through their professional careers and history with sports, bring a new dimension to the table and we look forward to a productive team for the upcoming quadrennial. I also take this opportunity to thank outgoing Vice Presidents Hon. Smith and Roy Barry. The BVIOC has benefited immensely from their services and commitment in their roles over many years as part of the Executive. They have also been key persons in sports development in the community through their affiliations with softball, basketball and volleyball to name a few and we know that we will have their support in delivering our mission to the wider community.”

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee, BVIOC Athletes' Commission Tagged With: BVI Olympic Committee, BVIOC Executive Board

Athlete performances at Tokyo 2020 Olympics brings BVI in sight of podium – BVIOC seeks investment into elite athletes

August 9, 2021 by Admin

Elinah Phillip, of British Virgin Islands, swims in a women’s 50-meter freestyle heat at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

The British Virgin Islands was represented by 3 athletes in 2 sports at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games which concluded on August 8 with a closing ceremony at the Olympic Stadium. The small team comprising Kyron McMaster (400m hurdles), Chantel Malone (long jump) and Elinah Phillip (50m freestyle) was the strongest set to represent the territory at any Olympic Games.

Eldred Henry (shot put) was the first athlete to have qualified for Tokyo 2020 but he was forced to pull out due to an injury in his throwing arm.

In a Game of firsts for the territory, McMaster and Malone became the BVI’s first 2 athletes to advance to the finals to compete amongst the world’s best athletes in their events. They each were the first athletes to compete in the hurdles and long jump respectively. McMaster was the first athlete to win his heats and the first to make the top 4 finalists to cross the line with his time of 47.08 – current 4th fastest time and the world’s 8th fastest time ever – in what has been classed as the event’s fastest Olympic race. McMaster and Phillip also set National Records with Phillip’s time of 25.74 marking her as the top Caribbean performer in the 50m Free.

Harrigan-Scott, a three-times Olympian and the first female to represent the BVI at the Olympics in 2008, led the organisation and management of the team at the Games.

Speaking at a wrap up virtual press conference on August 4 after the final competition for the BVI, Ephraim Penn, President of the BVI Olympic Committee congratulated and thanked the athletes, their coaches and National Federations and also acknowledged the efforts of the Chef de Mission and Lloyd Black, Secretary General for the BVIOC, who was the COVID Liaison Officer for the delegation.

Penn went on to explain that the impressive results of the team at the Games was many years in the making that required planning and funding to support the athletes in their training and preparations for the Games. He highlighted that the performances put the athletes as serious podium contenders in upcoming Games and that the opportunity was open to the private sector to support the pathway to get athletes to the finals and ultimately to the podium of the Olympics.

“The athletes have been preparing for these Games for 5 years and are recipients of an Olympic Scholarship which offers financial and technical support so they can train and compete at qualifying meets for the Olympics. In addition, the BVIOC set up an Elite Athlete scholarship which puts money into the hands of the athletes to ease their financial stress so that they can concentrate on preparing for competition. Their successes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will make it easier for us to try and solicit more funding from the private sector and bolster the structure we have in place to support them so they can develop to the best of their ability.”

The Chef de Mission, who is responsible for the organisation and logistical management of the delegation as well as the technical aspects of the athletes’ competitions and daily schedules and activities while at the Games, reviewed the athletes’ performances and acknowledged the commitment of their coaches and support of the BVIOC and encouraged a forward movement to help the athletes reach their potential.

“While our athletes may come from a small nation where the resources are more limited than larger countries, they come to compete with the same heart, talent and dedication so if we can figure out a way to level the playing field and really invest in them, you will be surprised at where they can take us because they are at that level and they are exceptionally good.”

Harrigan-Scott wrapped up the experience with a reflection on the organisation of the Games. “It actually was an amazing Games and the organisers, volunteers and Government of Japan did an incredible job under the constraints and concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am glad the Games were not cancelled as the athletes were ready to compete and we have seen some exceptional performances here.”

Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley, MHA. Deputy Premier Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, who was in Japan to witness the finals, congratulated the athletes on their achievements and thanked them and the delegation for their roles in the success of the BVI’s appearance at Tokyo 2020 and to pledge more support for the athletes.

“We now understand what it takes to compete at this level and I will be focused on what we can do to assist more. We know that we have to invest more in sports and be more consistent in our support for our athletes and I will be working on this in consultation with the BVIOC,” said Dr. the Honourable Minister Wheatley.

In addition to the 3 athletes, the Chef de Mission, Ephraim Penn and Lloyd Black the BVI delegation included Team Coach Winston Potter, Coach Lennox Graham (McMaster), Coach Dwight Phillips (Malone), Coach Brien Moffitt (Elinah) and Sofia Fay, BVIOC PRO/Reporter.

The athletes, including Henry who is on the road to recovery, will continue with their training and preparations for upcoming competitions after a short rest and recovery break. A return date to the BVI is not yet confirmed based on their training and competition schedules. Malone and McMaster have sights on competing at the Diamond League events in Europe in August and September respectively.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, chantel malone, Eldred Henry, Elinah Phillip, Kyron McMaster, Olympic Solidarity, Swimming, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Tokyo 2020 Tagged With: BVI Olympic Committee, Chantel Malone, Elinah Phillip, Kyron McMaster, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Team BVI, Tokyo 2020, Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Kyron McMaster delivers historic performance at Tokyo 2020 Olympic finals

August 9, 2021 by Admin

Kyron McMaster of Team British Virgin Islands competes during round one of the Men’s 400m hurdles heats on day seven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 30, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Kyron McMaster wrapped up Team BVI’s performance at the Tokyo Olympic Games on August 3 with an historic 4th place finish in what is classed as the fastest 400m Hurdles race of all time. McMaster’s time of 47.08 sets a new National Record and Personal Best and is ranked as the 5th top fastest times at an Olympics and the 8th all time fastest in the world. He is the first BVI athlete to achieve a top 4 position in an Olympic final.

“Being in the race felt amazing. The plan was to come out and just execute the race as best as possible. I came into this race with a personal best of 47.50 and I chopped off 0.4 off my best and I literally gave it my all,” said McMaster.

4 years ago, 47.08 would have been a World Record or an Olympic Record but with the medal contenders consistently running 47 in their pre-Olympic competitions, the bar was raised for Tokyo 2020. The 3 top spots were won by Karsten Warholm (Norway) who set a new World Record and Olympic Record with a blistering time of 45.94 followed by Benjamin Rai (USA) 46.17 and Alison do Santos (Brazil) for the bronze with a time of 46.72.

“What you saw today was the epitome of greatness with the world’s top 3 hurdlers and I am grateful that my performance was enough to get me in the top four to cross the line,” said McMaster. “These guys are not the average runners anymore and I will be aiming to get to their level.”

McMaster, who was racing after 2 weeks of treatment on his right quad which he tweaked at the Diamond League race in Sweden, was the first male athlete of the territory and second national athlete to advance to an Olympic final. He is also the first athlete to win individual event heats at the Olympics. His time is an OECS, Caribbean and Central American record.

Chantel Malone of Team British Virgin Islands competes in the Women’s Long Jump Final on day eleven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 03, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Chantel Malone, who is the BVI’s first Olympic long jump competitor was the territory’s first athlete to advance to the finals when she jumped a distance of 6.82 in the Qualifier round. She closed out her first Olympic appearance with a mark of 6.50 in her third attempt falling short of her expectations and abilities.

“I am very disappointed with my result,” said Malone. “My intention was to go out there and at least execute and I didn’t. Nonetheless, I am grateful for the experience and being able to compete as a finalist at the Olympics. I am going to do what I need to do in order to stay on my A game and be able to compete and get on the podium.”

Elinah Phillip, the 50m freestyle swimmer, had concluded her second Olympic appearance on July 30 after she set a new National Record and PB with a non-advancing time of 25.74 to place 2nd in her heat of the qualifying round. The result positioned her 34/81 in the 50 Free and identified her as the top female Caribbean athlete in the event.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, Kyron McMaster, Tokyo 2020, Uncategorized Tagged With: BVI National 400m Hurdles Record, BVI Olympic Committee, Kyron McMaster, Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Kyron McMaster qualifies for the 400m Hurdles finals at Tokyo 2020

August 2, 2021 by Admin

Embed from Getty Images

Adding to the exciting action of the day on August 1, Kyron McMaster joined teammate, long jumper Chantel Malone in making history when he won his heat in the 400m hurdles semifinals with a time of 48.26 to automatically qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic event finals.

“I got to the warm-up track ahead of the race and just zoned in and went through the normal routine. Coach Lennox and I had agreed that once I got to the race the plan was solely to run to get into the finals rather than to try and run hard, and we accomplished that goal. Now it’s just to rest and get the body tuned up and get ready for the finals,” said McMaster.

McMaster became the first male athlete of the territory and second national athlete to advance to an Olympic final after Malone’s performance earlier in the day. He is also the first athlete to win individual event heats at the Olympics.

“The goal is not finished just yet,” said McMaster. “We are on the homestretch and it’s just to complete the race by getting on the line and giving my best!”

The BVI delegation, which includes Ephraim Penn, President of the BVI Olympic Committee, Lloyd Black, Secretary General, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Chef de Mission, Team Coach Winston Potter and McMaster’s personal Coach Lennox Graham were in the stands to watch the semi-finals.

“While we were not surprised to see Kyron cross the line first, we were no less excited about the result. Kyron is a fighter and there is no way that he would not have done whatever he needed to do to make it into the finals. We are very proud of his success,” said Penn. “To have athletes competing in the finals at an Olympic Games is a plan that has been in the making since the BVIOC’s Quadrennial goals of 2012 and to witness it happening at Tokyo 2020 with 2 of our successful senior track and field athletes who are Olympic Scholarship recipients is very thrilling and we can’t wait to watch their closing performances.”

The 400m hurdles finals takes place on Tuesday, August 3 at 12:20pm JST (11:20pm, Monday, August 2 BVI time) when McMaster will race in lane 4 against the world’s top 3 hurdlers including world record holder Karsten Warholm (Norway), Rai Benjamin (USA) and Alison dos Santos (Brazil).

Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley, MHA. Deputy Premier Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture arrived into Japan a day before the finals to witness the historic occasion.

McMaster’s Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 was preceded with a short but successful season where he set a new National Record and PB when he ran a time of 47.50 at the USA Track and Field Golden Games, Walnut, California in May 2021.

A two-times Diamond League Champion and ranked number 4 by World Athletics, McMaster made major history for the BVI when he won the Territory’s first Commonwealth Games medal when he was 21 years old with a 48.25 first-place finish at the Gold Coast 2018 Games in Australia. He is also set new event records for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games at Barranquilla 2018 and for the North American Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships at Toronto 2018.

Malone, who secured her spot in the long jump finals with an automatic qualifying mark of 6.82m in the Qualifying round, will also compete on Tuesday, August 3 at 10:50am (9:50pm Monday, August 2 BVI time). Elinah Phillip, the 50m freestyle swimmer, wrapped up her 2nd Olympic appearance on July 30 after she set a new National Record and PB with a non-advancing time of 25.74 in her heat of the qualifying round. The result ranks her top female Caribbean athlete in the event.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, chantel malone, Kyron McMaster, Tokyo 2020 Tagged With: BVI Olympic Committee, BVIOC, Chantel Malone, Elinah Phillip, Kyron McMaster, Tokyo 2020, Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Chantel Malone advances to long jump finals at Tokyo 2020

August 1, 2021 by Admin

Chantel Malone after qualifying for the long jump finals on August 1 at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Chantel Malone made history for the British Virgin Islands once more when she qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games long jump finals with a distance of 6.82m achieved on her 3rd attempt at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium on Sunday, August 1.

“I’m excited and happy to be going into the finals with a 6.82- especially as I had to take some time off ahead of the Games to work on recovering from an injury that I sustained at a meet at the beginning of July,” said Malone. “Jumping an 82 was the reassurance I needed and is a testament to my growth as an athlete just because the old me would have folded after the first two bad jumps, but today, I reminded myself that it only takes one and to execute it.”

Malone became the first athlete of the territory to advance to an Olympic final.

“I may be the first athlete to make it to the finals but honestly, that’s always been the goal and to actually be on that podium. The goal is to execute and hopefully we will be good but it’s a tough field out there with a lot of automatic qualifiers, so I just have to bring my A-Game and stay focused.”

Ephraim Penn, President of the BVI Olympic Committee was watching the event from the Olympic Family tribune along with Secretary General Lloyd Black.

“We were so excited when Chantel not only qualified for the finals, but that she managed to hit a distance beyond the automatic qualifying mark of 6.75,” said Penn. “The BVIOC and family of National Federations congratulate Chantel and her coach, Dwight Phillips on this achievement and we are looking forward to Tuesday’s event and to cheering her on in support of the goal for a podium finish.”

Tokyo 2020 is Malone’s first Olympics which she qualified for when she leapt a distance of 7.08 at the Florida International “Pro Addition” International Track Meet, Miramar in March 2021. The mark was a new National Record and a Season and Personal Best for the athlete who is ranked number 8 by World Athletics.

Malone’s history-making flair was demonstrated when she won the BVI’s first PanAm Games medal when she took the gold at Lima 2019 with a leap of 6.68m.

The finals take place on Tuesday, August 3 at 10:50am (9:50pm, Monday, August 2 BVI time).

Kyron McMaster, will compete in the 400m hurdles semi-finals later today after he won his qualifying heat with a time of 48.79 on Friday, July 30. Elinah Phillip, the 50m freestyle swimmer, wrapped up her 2nd Olympic appearance on July 30 after she set a new National Record and PB with a non-advancing time of 25.74 in her heat of the qualifying round. The result ranks her top female Caribbean athlete in the event.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, chantel malone, Elinah Phillip, Kyron McMaster, Swimming, Tokyo 2020 Tagged With: BVI Olympic Committee, BVIOC, Chantel Malone, Elinah Phillip, Kyron McMaster, Tokyo 2020, Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Phillip sets new 50m Freestyle National Record & McMaster advances to 400m Hurdle semi finals at Tokyo 2020

July 31, 2021 by Admin

Elinah Phillip set a new National Record and PB when she placed 2nd in her 50m Freestyle Heat with a non-advancing time of 25.74 at the Tokyo Aquatic Center, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games the evening of July 30, 2021.

The time is an automatic qualifier for the upcoming FINA Worlds and ranks Elinah as the Caribbean’s top female 50m freestyle athlete. It also improves her standing in the inaugural PanAm Junior Games slated to be held at the end of this year.

Earlier in the day, Kyron McMaster made national history when he advanced to the semi-finals in the 400m hurdles at his Olympic debut to become the first male athlete to compete in an Olympic semi and the only athlete to win an individual event heat. He joins Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020, to become the 2nd athlete to compete in a semi-final event at an Olympic Games. Kyron will race in Heat 3 Lane 7 on August 1.

Competing in her second Olympics, Elinah – who was also the flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony – was very excited and proud of the result which positions her 34th out of 81 competitors.

“It’s a big day for me – I finished my pre dentistry summer program at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and came and set a new National Record and PB at the Olympics,” said the 21-year old swimmer. “I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed because this achievement means so much to me personally after a very turbulent 2020. I am very grateful for all the support that I have received from my family, the BVI Olympic Committee, FIU, my swim coach Brien Moffitt and my teammates and everyone back home. I can’t express how much it means to me.”

Watching from the Olympic Family tribune were President of the BVIOC Ephraim Penn, Secretary General Lloyd Black and Chef de Mission Tahesia Harrigan-Scott.

“Elinah’s performance this evening has impressed us all and made us incredibly proud,” said Penn. “On behalf of the BVIOC and our member federations, I congratulate Elinah on her achievement and thank her for giving 110% and doing us proud. I also would like to recognize her coach, Brien Moffitt who has demonstrated a sound appreciation for Elinah’s potential and who, in just a few months, has helped her to achieve great results and outperform herself every time.”

A swim coach at FIU, Coach Moffitt was responsible for recruiting the 21-year old to the University as part of its longterm commitment to developing a strong swimming team.

“I am so very proud of Elinah’s accomplishment today and, to be able to be at her best at the biggest sporting stage that there is, is something that shows her resilience and mental fortitude,” said Coach Moffitt. ”When you look at the path and journey she has taken to get to this point it’s very remarkable. We’re grateful and happy with what the results today but we will be coming back to work after a short and plan to aim higher and dream bigger.”

Elinah is the BVI’s leading national swimmer, holding records in the 50, 100, and 200m freestyle and the 50m butterfly. She made her Olympic debut at Rio 2016. She is the first swimmer and the youngest athlete to represent the BVI at an Olympic Games.

Ranked number 8 in her event by World Athletics, Chantel Malone will make her Olympic debut when she competes in the Tokyo 2020 long jump Qualification round on August 1.

Filed Under: Athletics, BVI Olympic Committee, chantel malone, Elinah Phillip, Kyron McMaster, Swimming, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Tokyo 2020 Tagged With: BVI Olympic Commitee, BVIOC, Chantel Malone, Elinah Phillip, Kyron McMaster, Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games