Posted: Monday, November 11, 2024. 11:48 am CST.
Team Belize won 16 medals, including six gold at the Copa Revolución in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico on November 8-9. – Front Row (L-R): Linford Avila, Gina Tejeda, Jalen O’Brien, Donovan Grinage, Jr.; Back Row (L-R): Zion Smith, Jaaden Williams, Mexican athlete, Fred Usher, Jr., Nyasha Harris, Juan Portillo, Tridean Smith. – Photo Credit: Copa Revolución Team Belize
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: A ten-man Belizean athletics team shone brightly at the 9th Copa Revolución Athletics Grand Prix held at the Estadio Mario Villanueva Madrid in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, on Friday and Saturday, November 8-9, bringing home a total of 16 medals, including six gold, seven silver, and three bronze.
Although last year’s performance was stronger with a total of 18 medals, including an impressive 11 golds, this year’s results still reflect a commendable effort, especially considering the athletes had to finance their own participation and travel to and from Belize.
Medal Breakdown 2024:
The Belizean athletes team delivered a powerful performance, highlighted by Fred Usher, Jr., who set a new competition record in the 100 meters with a time of 10.37 seconds, breaking his previous record of 10.82 seconds set last year. Usher Jr. earned gold in the 100 meters and silver in the 200 meters.
In the open women’s category, Gina Tejeda captured gold in the shot put. Donovan Grinage, Jr. earned silver in both the long jump and shot put events. Linford Avila secured a bronze in the 100 meters, and Juan Portillo contributed with a bronze in shot put and a silver in the javelin.
In the under-18 women’s category, Nyasha Harris excelled with gold medals in both the 100 meters and 200 meters, while Tridean Smith earned silver in the same events.
The under-18 men’s category saw Jalen O’Brien winning bronze in the 100 meters and silver in the 400 meters.
Jaaden Williams had a superb performance in the under-15 category, winning gold in the long jump and 150 meters.
Zion Smith also competed and finished fourth in the men’s shot put.
Summary:
Belize’s consistent performance at the 2024 Copa Revolución is a testament to the dedication and talent of the athletes that financed their own participation at the international meet. Although the total medal count slightly decreased this year, the team’s spirit and drive remain undeterred. New athletes like Nyasha Harris and Jaaden Williams have emerged as strong performers, while veterans like Fred Usher, Jr., the team leader, and Donovan Grinage, Jr. continue to contribute significantly.
Donovan Grinage, Jr. won two silver medals – Photo Credit: Copa Revolución Team Belize
Medal Breakdown 2024:
Open Category Women
- Gina Tejeda: Shot Put – Gold
Open Category Men
- Fred Usher, Jr.: 100m Gold (new competition record 10.37), 200m Silver
- Donovan Grinage, Jr.: Long Jump – Silver, Shot Put – Silver
- Linford Avila: 100m – Bronze
- Juan Portillo: Shot Put – Bronze, Javelin – Silver
U18 Women
- Nyasha Harris: 100m – Gold, 200m – Gold
- Tridean Smith: 100m – Silver, 200m – Silver
U18 Men
- Jalen O’Brien: 100m – Bronze, 400m – Silver
U15 Category
- Jaaden Williams: Long Jump – Gold, 150m – Gold
Comparison with 2023:
In 2023, the Belizean team returned with 18 medals from the 8th Copa Revolución Athletics Grand Prix, held at the Estadio Mario Villanueva Madrid in Playa del Carmen. Here are some key points:
- Fred Usher, Jr.: Last year, he won three gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and long jump. This year, he captured one gold in the 100m (setting a new competition record) and a silver in the 200m.
- Donovan Grinage, Jr.: Last year, he won two gold medals in the 400m and shot put, a silver in long jump, and a bronze in javelin. This year, he earned two silvers in long jump and shot put.
- Nyasha Harris: Did not feature in last year’s highlights but won two gold medals this year in the 100m and 200m U18 categories.
- Jalen O’Brien: Secured a silver in the 400m last year, and this year, he won a bronze in the 100m and a silver in the 400m.
- Gina Tejeda: Won gold in the shot put and silver in the javelin last year. This year, she maintained her gold in the shot put.
- Juan Portillo: Last year, he earned silver in the shot put, which he maintained this year, along with an additional bronze in javelin.
- Jaaden Williams: Not mentioned in last year’s highlights but won two golds this year in the U15 long jump and 150m categories.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.
© 2024, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.
The post Belize athletes shine brightly at 9th Copa Revolución in Playa del Carmen, Mexico; win 16 medals, including 6 gold appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Monday, November 11, 2024. 11:48 am CST. Team Belize won 16 medals, including six gold at the Copa Revolución in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo,
The post Belize athletes shine brightly at 9th Copa Revolución in Playa del Carmen, Mexico; win 16 medals, including 6 gold appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.