Trumpet: TT a class above the rest

The TT boxing team at the Caribbean Championships in St Lucia.
The TT boxing team at the Caribbean Championships in St Lucia.

Coach of the Trinidad and Tobago boxing team Floyd Trumpet was in full praise of the young TT boxers who competed at the Caribbean Championships in St Lucia, saying they were a class above their Caribbean opponents.

In the Championships, which concluded on Saturday, TT returned with 10 medals – six gold, three silver and one bronze. Trumpet said 35 boxers were hoping to attend the Championships but due to financial constraints, only 11 boxers were able to make the trip at the last minute. Trumpet said it was a tremendous feat by the team.

“The effort was great, even though we were unsure of attending. We had the guys still training as if we were going,” Trumpet said.

Winning gold in the Elite Division were Michael Alexander in the 60kg category, Tiana Guy in the 60kg women’s category and Tyron Thomas in the 75kg category. Winning gold in the Youth Divison were Tyrone St Clair in the 81kg category, Nyrell Hosien in the 50kg category and Blessing Waldropt in the 56kg category. In the Elite Division, grabbing silver were Jesse Beckles in the 64kg category, Mike Innis in the 52kg category and Angerlique Quverdor in the women’s 51kg category. Nickel Joseph won bronze in the 75kg Elite Division category.

Trumpet said he had expected a good showing at the Championships, especially in the Youth Division.

“I was not surprised with our results because in the Caribbean were are one of the countries that have the most regular boxing (events), especially in the youth and junior divisions. We are a class above the rest because we fight almost every two weeks. Those two young guys – Nyrell Hosien and Blessing Waldropt – they always come to fight; they fight older boys than them, they fight heavier boys than them. It is important to continue that sort of programme so we could always be ahead of the game.”

Olympic boxer Nigel Paul did not compete as there were only novices in his division. Trumpet said Paul acted as the Dean of the team and was instrumental in imparting knowledge to his compatriots.

“He (Paul) was the captain of the team...he was the one advising them on how to be great ambassadors for your country through sports. It was good having him on the team although he did not compete,” Trumpet said.

Trumpet said Alexander also performed at a high level and he was voted as the Best Elite Boxer and the Best Overall Boxer, while Guy surprised him with her top performance.

The TT coach said the local boxers showed dedication as some of the boxers paid for their own ticket, while sponsors also made the trip possible.

In March a team of national boxers will compete at the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) qualifiers, while Alexander and Paul will compete at the Commonwealth Games in April.

Comments

"Trumpet: TT a class above the rest"

More in this section