The Bahamas Judo Federation (BJF) put on a good show this weekend at the 2018 Caribbean Free Trade Agreement (CARIFTA) Judo Championships, which were staged in New Providence, at the Courtyard Marriot.
The Bahamas went up against athletes from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago in the event, which was refereed by Keith Weithers from the International Judo Federation (IJF).
Team Bahamas took advantage of home court and wound up sweeping the regional championships, winning every division contested.
“The second edition of CARIFTA judo featured a mixed country set up and was held to give all the athletes more experience,” said BJF President D’Arcy Rahming.
“It is a development tournament. We expect to see growth in CARIFTA judo in the upcoming years so we are not disappointed by the number of countries participating.”
Bahamas head coach Oneysi Portorreal Pons said he was pleased with some of the skills local athletes displayed at the single-day event.
“We are very pleased with the results of the tournament,” Pons said.
“No member of the national team lost a match against the foreign athletes. Our aim was to use CARIFTA as preparation for the upcoming Junior World Judo Championships, which will be held in The Bahamas this year.”
The 2018 Junior World Judo Championships is set for October 17-21.
The results of the 2018 CARIFTA Judo Championships are as follows:
Under 60 Kilograms (kg)
1) Jevon Bethel (BAH)
2) Tyrone Charles (TRI)
3) Avens Augusma (IJF)
Under 66kg
1) Desmond Bootle (BAH)
2) Davante Sweeting (BAH)
3) Seyoum Philip (TRI)
3) Giovanni Lopez (TRI)
Under 73Kg
1) Andrew Munnings (BAH)
2) Deon Pugh (BAH)
3) Tamiko Mitchell (BAH)
3) Joshua Buchanan (GUY)
Under 81kg
1) Lyle Sherman (BAH)
2) Keyon Cumberbatch (BAH)
3) Desmondo Bootle (BAH)
3) Shannard Mentus (GUY)