Rivas, Anthony, Blackman star for TT at Pan Am Swim Champs

TRINIDAD AND Tobago’s gold medal tally at the 2022 Pan American Age Group Swimming Championships continued to climb on day two of the meet at the National Aquatic Centre in Couva, on Friday.

TT added 17 more medals on day two – seven gold, six silver and four bronze.

TT now have a total of 31 medals – 15 gold, nine silver and seven bronze.

Giovanni Rivas, Zachary Anthony and Nikoli Blackman were among the stars for TT on day two. Rivas and Blackman copped two gold medals and one silver apiece and Anthony added one gold and two silver medals.

Anthony was the first medallist for TT on Friday as he finished second in the boys 13-14 200-metre freestyle in two minutes, 00.23 seconds (2:00.23).

Puerto Rican Caleb Romero Serrano, who is one of the top performers at the meet, won gold in 1:56.60. Taking bronze was Luis Calderon Barrientos of Peru in 2:03.71.

Blackman was next to get on the podium for TT snatching gold in the boys 15-17 200m freestyle in 1:53.39. Puerto Rican Troy Ficklen was second in 1:55.91 and G Martinez Hernandez of Honduras claimed bronze in 1:56.43.

The boys 13-14 100m butterfly was a memorable event as TT grabbed gold and silver. Rivas touched the wall first in 58.27 seconds and Anthony earned his second silver when he ended in 59.14. Barrientos copped another bronze in 1:01.14.

Cadell Lyons, one of the most experienced swimmers in the TT team, captured gold in 54.84 in the boys 18-and-over 100m butterfly.

Yeziel Morales Miranda of Puerto Rico was second in 55.22 and Jose Alejandro Garcia Olivo of Peru ended third in 56.93.

Rivas was second in the boys 13-14 50m backstroke in 28.80. It was a fast race as the winner Cristobal Amiel Buchholtz of Peru broke the meet record on his way to gold in 28.59. Jair Ismael Holtuin of Suriname had to settle for bronze in 28.83.

In the boys 15-17 50m backstroke, TT team captain Johann-Matthew Matamoro delivered a golden swim in 27.81 and Blackman took silver in 27.96. It was a clean sweep by the English-speaking Caribbean as Grenadian Zackary Gresham was third in 27.99.

TT ended the individual events on day two with a bang. In the girls 18-and-over 50m backstroke, Ornella Walker took gold in 29.89 and team captain Jahmia Harley took bronze in 30.86.

In the boys equivalent, Delroy Tyrell was second in 27.35 and Christian Awah finished third in 27.36.

As is often the case in swimming meets, the relay events brought excitement to the venue as the small crowd cheered on the swimmers.

Anthony, Liam Carrington, Darren Belfon and Rivas won gold in the boys 13-14 4x100m freestyle in 3:42.88.

TT led from start to finish as Anthony gave TT a slight lead after the first leg, before Carrington opened up a larger lead. Belfon kept TT in front, but in the anchor leg is where the crowd noise grew louder.

Romero Serrano of Puerto Rico closed the gap on Rivas, but the TT swimmer managed to hang on.

TT also took bronze in the girls 15-17 4x100m freestyle (Amari Ash, Joy Blackett, Tyla Ho-A-Shu, Gabrielle Vickles), gold in the boys 15-17 4x100 freestyle (Aaron Stuart, Prince Moreau, Matamoro, Blackman), bronze in the girls 18-and-over 4x100m freestyle (De-Nicha Lewis, Gabriela Ann Donahue, Walker, Harley) and silver in the boys 18-and-over 4x100m freestyle (Aqeel Joseph, Tyrell, Josiah Parag, Lyons).

Day three of the four-day meet will start at 10.30 am.

TT have been capitalising on their home conditions.

Alejandro Agard, who won two gold medals in the 11-12 category on day one, said, “At home it feels more comfortable than being away. I get to eat my food that I am accustom to and I get to sleep in my own bed, so it is much more comfortable.”

Agard is eyeing more medals, saying, “I am hoping to win as much as I can, hopefully at least one more.”

Ho-A-Shu, who got two silver medals on day one and a bronze on day two in the 15-17 age group, is aiming for more success in the final two days of the event.

She said, “Definitely want to try for 100m breaststroke and the relays.”

Ho-A-Shu said she anticipates the relays.

“I think for the relays it’s better because you get a rush of adrenaline since you are not competing alone, you are competing with your teammates.”