07172025 SPORTS by tribune242

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2025

Sprinters and high hurdlers’ spotlight

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Sprinters

Antho-

nique Strachan and Camille Rutherford got second and third respectively in their events, while high hurdlers Charisma Taylor and Denisha Cartwright didn’t have the meet expected as they competed yesterday in Europe.

Strachan/Rutherford/

Taylor in Lucerne

The trio were in action at the 2025 Spitzen Leichtathletik Luzern - World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meet at the iconic Stadion Allmend in Lucerne, Switzerland as a

Top athletes compete overseas

part of the World Athletics Continental Tour. The three Bahamian athletes used the meet to prepare for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Track and Field Championships, scheduled for August 1-2 at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium and the North American, Central American and Caribbean Senior Championships, set for August 15-17 at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex in Grand Bahama.

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor

IT was quite an unforgettable experience for Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr as he became the first Bahamian to participate in the Major League Baseball AllStar Classic at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia.

The two meets will be a prelude to the World Championships that will be staged in Tokyo, Japan from September 13-21.

‘VJ’ IN NBA SUMMER LEAGUE

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Strachan, still training in Jamaica with the MVP Club, picked up a secondplace finish in the women’s 200 metres in 22.95 behind Leonie Pointet of Switzerland, who won in 22.89.

The duo were short of the qualifying standard of 22.57 for the World Championships.

But Strachan has the fastest time this year by any Bahamian in 22.86, which she ran in Jamaica on May 17.

Rutherford, one of two Bahamians to qualify for the World Championships, finished third in her race yesterday in a time of 11.31 seconds.

Jamaica’s Jonielle Smith took the tape in 11.12 and Zaynab Dosso of Italy crossed the line in second

Former quarter-miler Tonique Williams joins media academy

BRENT STUBBS

FORMER quarter-

miler Tonique Williams, one of the most decorated Bahamian track and field athletes during her prime, has added another feather in her cap in her post-athletic career.

Williams, the former national record holder who won the women’s 400 metres back-to-back Olympic Games’ gold medal in 2004 and World Championships title in 2005, has been selected as one of four individuals to serve as TV commentators for the 2025 World Championships in September in Tokyo, Japan. “I am truly honoured to be selected as one of only four individuals worldwide for live commentary at the World Athletics Championships, Tokyo 25,” Willams said. “Track and field has opened countless doors for me - from earning a scholarship and travelling the world, to serving as a brand ambassador for a global company, vice president of the BAAA and Media Director for the World Relays.”

Williams, now the public relations officer for the National Insurance Board, said this opportunity by World Athletics makes an exciting new chapter in her journey.

She said she’s especially grateful for the growing relationship that she continues to build with World Athletics and one that she will cherish as she broadens her horizon.

“This appointment is a direct result of my involvement in the World Relays, and a testament to how impactful that event has been not just for me, but for all Bahamians,” she said.

“The World Relays created a lasting legacy and I am proud to be part of its rippled effect on the world stage. I look forward to representing my country and contributing to the storytelling of our beloved sport in this prestigious role.”

Williams will join Wilfred Bungei and Martin Keino, both of Kenya and Rosie Tinbergen of Great Britain in the TV commentator programme,

After he made his debut in the Home Run Derby with just three home runs off his Bahamian stepfather, mentor and coach Geron Sands on Monday night, Chisholm Jr entered the All-Star game last night in the sixth inning as a reserve. The 27-year-old New York Yankees’ second baseman went 0-for-3, but he got to play through the final four innings as the National League rebounded from a 5-2 deficit to tie the score at 6-6 with the National League before it was called.

Facing relief pitcher Edwin Diaz from the New York Mets in the top of the ninth after Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt doubled to right field to score Minnesota Twins’ Byron Buxton for a 6-5 deficit, Chisholm Jr grounded out to second base. That allowed Witt to move to third and he scored on Cleveland Indians’ Steven Kwan run-producing single to even the score at 6-6 before Randy Arozarena struck out. In the top of the seventh after the American League cut the deficit to two (6-4) on a three-run homer from Oakland Athletics’ Brent Rooker and

PEACE ON DA STREETS: ‘WE HAD SOME SCHEDULING ISSUES AND SOME ERRORS’

By Jonathan Burrows

DAY two of the 30th anniversary “Peace on Da Streets” basketball tournament unfolded at the Hope Center yesterday, where packed courts witnessed both on-court intensity and off-court hiccups, as scheduling issues and game delays tested the patience of team and fans alike.

Despite this, with matches beginning slightly behind schedule, the energy remained high as players took to the court

determined to make their mark in the landmark tournament.

“We had some scheduling issues and some errors, but we have officially locked that down. Other than that, the tournament is going very well, and today we had some good games and good players performing,” said event organiser and coach Destiny Reid.

The games went as follows: Rotary East beat the Titans 34 - 28, game MVP

BODYBUILDING

WELL WISHES

FOR DR GAY

ON behalf of the Bahamas Bodybuilding Wellness and Fitness Federation (BBWFF), president Wellington Miller extended heartfelt prayers and best wishes to Dr. Norman Gay and his family during this time.

Reports have indicated that Gay, the former Minister of Health, has

July

been moved into assisted living Hospice Care where he is getting medical attention.

“Dr. Gay’s profound contributions to the sport of bodybuilding, health, and fitness, as well as his dedicated service as president of the Confederation of National Health and Wellness, have left an enduring legacy,” Sears

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TONIQUE WILLIAMS

TALENTED YOUNG RAMS EMERGE AS CHAMPIONS AT MAJOR BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS IN ORLANDO

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: Shown are the Rams, led by head coach Anterio Alday and assistant coach Stephen Samuel Strachan II. This young, talented Bahamian basketball team recently travelled to Orlando, Florida, where they competed in two major tournaments - Dynasty Hoops (AAU) and the Super Six - bringing home three championships in the process in the 15U, 16U and 17U divisions. This marks the team’s third consecutive annual trip aimed at providing players with exposure to international competition and coaching experience. Practices are held at Big Pond Park every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4:30pm.

CAITLIN, SABRINA AND ALLISHA HEADLINE THE WNBA ALL-STAR 3-POINT CONTEST

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Caitlin Clark will be in a 3-point contest for the first time in her pro career as the Indiana Fever guard will compete Friday night in the WNBA All-Star competition. She’ll be joined by contest record holder Sabrina Ionescu, who last entered the contest in 2023 and hit 25 of her 27 shots in the final round, scoring 37 points. It was the most shots

made in a 3-point contest in either the WNBA or NBA.

The Liberty’s star guard wanted to make sure she was completely healthy before officially entering the contest. She said she’ll be trying to break her own mark.

Clark’s management team said earlier this year when she turned down competing in some fashion at NBA All-Star weekend that the young star wanted her first 3-point contest to be in Indianapolis at the WNBA weekend.

“I’ve never participated in a 3-point competition before, never practiced before, so go out there and have fun,” Clark said before her team faced Connecticut in Boston last night.

“The lineup of people competing is tremendous so more than anything its going to be really great for our league and women’s basketball as a whole. I’m just excited. The skills competition and that will be a really exciting time and will lead into Saturday and a really great game as well.”

Allisha Gray, who made her own history last season, winning the 3-point and skills challenge, will try to defend her title in both competitions. She beat Jonquel Jones 22-21 to win the 3-point shootout. Gray beat Sophie Cunningham by 2 seconds to win the skills competition.

The Atlanta Dream star received $110,000 from Aflac as part of

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said. “His leadership and passion have inspired many, and his impact will continue to resonate throughout our community. We stand in solidarity with all who are keeping Dr. Gay in their thoughts and prayers.”

PEACE ON DA STREET FAMILY

NIGHT

THE ‘Peace on Da Streets’ Basketball Classic’s Road to 30 years of existence is being organised by the Hope Center under the theme “Shooting hoops instead of guns,” July 14-19 at the Michael ‘Scooter’ Reid Basketball Center. The highlight of the event will be the Family Night, scheduled for Sunday, July 20 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium when the finals in all of the divisions will take place, starting at 3pm. There will also be the Mr Ship It Three-point shootout and the Joe’s Slam Dunk Contest.

a partnership with the WNBPA.

The 3-point contest winner this year will get an extra $5,000 from Aflac.

Gray also got $2,575 from the league for each of her two victories.

Other participants in the 3-point contest are

The night will conclude with the exciting Clergy versus Politicians match-up.

BOXING FUNDRAISER

THE Boxing Federation of the Bahamas is planning to host a souse out as a fundraiser on Saturday, August 2, at the National Boxing Training Center, Blue Hill Sports Complex. The event is scheduled to take place from 9am to 3pm with chicken pig feet and sheep tongue with Johnnycake or rolls on the menu for a donation of $15. Soft drinks, potato, coconut and zucchini breads will also be on sale. This is part of our effort to meet our goal of $60,000, according to federation president Vincent Strachan. “We are seeking your support by purchasing tickets and additional donations of food items, if possible,” Strachan said. The 15 members are expected to participate in The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Championships in St Lucia from August 1-3. The team is expected to depart July 31 and would

Washington rookie Sonia Citron and Los Angeles’ Kelsey Plum.

The other players competing in the skills challenge will be New York’s Natasha Cloud, Seattle’s Skylar Diggins and Erica Wheeler, and Minnesota’s Courtney Williams.

remain there for a training camp with the St Lucia national boxing team. They would depart for Georgetown, Guyana from August 14-18 for the school boys and girls championship and seniors. They would remain in Guyana for another training camp until August 27. Then will head to St Maarten, for The Battle Of The Islands Championships.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS RAFFLE GRILL FUN DAY

SPECIAL Olympics Bahamas is scheduled to hold their annual raffle grill fun day fundraiser on Saturday, August 16 from 11:30am to 6pm at the Stapledon School Grounds on Dolphin Drive. Dinners will include chicken, steak, fish, hot dogs, burgers, pastries and soft drinks. Domino’s, Connect 4 and basketball games will be played during the day. Interested persons are urged to call 426-0233, 477-0304 or 359-3558 for information on ticket purchases.

INDIANA Fever’s Caitlin Clark (22) shoots during the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis on July 11. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

MLB ALL-STAR CLASSIC AN UNFORGETTABLE

EXPERIENCE FOR ‘JAZZ’ CHISHOLM JR

a RBI groundout by Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr, Chisholm Jr reached first on an error before Cleveland Indians’ Steven Kwan grounded out. After Chicago Cubs’ Pete Alonso cracked a one-out

three-run home run to push the National League up 5-0 in the bottom of the sixth, Arizona Diamondbacks’ Eugenio Suarez hit a grounder to Chisholm Jr, who made the first out to Jonathan Aranda at first for the second out. Cincinnati Reds’ Elly De La Cruz struck out swinging for the

third out. In his first at-bat in the top of the sixth, Chisholm Jr fouled the first pitch thrown to him. He then took three strike balls before swinging at his next pitch and then drilled the 3-2 pitch deep to Arizona Diamondbacks’ centre fielder Corbin Carroll. Chisholm

Jr, making his debut in the game, came in relief at second base for Detroit Tigers’ starter Gleyber Torres, in the bottom of the fifth with the American League trailing 2-0. The game followed Chisholm Jr’s historic debut in the Home Run Derby on Monday night.

Unfortunately, Chisholm Jr connected on three homers out of Truist Park on the 37 pitches thrown by Sands in the three-minute affair and he got eliminated in the first round. His longest shot on the night was 463 feet, while the other two were 409 and 400.

Sprinters and high hurdlers take the spotlight overseas

place in 11.24. The qualifying standard for the World Championships is 11.07. Already, Anthaya Charlton surpassed the standard of 10.87 on June 12, the second fastest time ever by a Bahamian. Rutherford also dipped under the 11-second barrier, running 10.96 in London, Canada on June 22 to surpass the qualifying standard for Tokyo. Taylor, coming off her double Olympic appearance last year in the hurdles and the triple jump, got disqualified in the women’s 100m hurdles.

Switzerland’s hometown favourite Ditaji Kambundji won the event in 12.49 over Jamaica’s Kenrice Hill, who did a personal best of 12.54 for second and American Rayniah Jones in 12.86 for third.

The World Championships qualifying standard is 12.73, which world indoor 60m record holder and twotime champion Devynne Charlton achieved on June 20 in Paris, France, in 12.53. Taylor followed, posting the second fastest time this year by a Bahamian in 12.79 in Windsor, Canada on June 15.

Fellow Olympian Denisha Cartwright has the third fastest time of 12.93

that she did in Des Moines, Iowa, on April 26. Cartwright in British Columbia Cartwright, however, was in action yesterday as well at the Jerome Track Classic - World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze at the Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

Competing for Puma, Cartwright also experienced some problems in her women’s 100m hurdles race and was fourth in 15.365.

Tatiana Aholou won the event in a record time of 13.05, followed by Aasia Laurencin in 13.11 and Manreet Sangha third in 14.12.

TONIQUE WILLIAMS ADDS ANOTHER FEATHER IN HER CAP

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championships, they will be engaged in workshop sessions, cover TV commentary and work in the mixed zone.

Williams, who dabbled into some coaching after she officially retired from competing, said she was in discussion with World Athletics about the programme since 2023, but it’s finally coming to fruition. She said that she will have to spend some time familiarising herself with the current track and field athletes and their achievements so that she can be in a position to handle the commentary when it presents itself on television. Williams, 49, is a former standout for St John’s College who went on to compete for South Carolina. She won multiple medals as a member of both the women’s 4 x 100 and 4 x 400m relay teams. Her personal best time of 49.07 seconds on September 12, 2004 served as The Bahamas’ national record until it was broken by Shaunae Miller-Uibo. Winner of three individual medals and one as a member of the relay team at the Central American and Caribbean Championships, Williams went on to secure a silver at the 2006 Commonwealth Games,

400m bronze at the 2004 World Indoor Championships and gold at both the 2005 World Championships and the 2004 Olympic Games. After the Olympics, she also shared the Golden League jackpot with Christian Olsson, splitting the $1m purse, earning a hefty $500,000. When the International Amateur Athletic Federation, now known as the World Athletics, the governing body for the sport, introduced the World Relays to its calendar here in 2015, Williams began her media career as the senior director of event media services.

OLYMPIAN Denisha Cartwright competed yesterday at the Jerome Track Classic - World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze at the Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

OLYMPIAN CHARISMA TAYLOR, coming off her double Olympic appearance last year in the hurdles and the triple jump, got disqualified in the women’s 100m hurdles at the 2025 Spitzen Leichtathletik Luzern - World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meet at the iconic Stadion Allmend in Lucerne, Switzerland as a part of the World Athletics Continental Tour.

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PHILADELPHIA Phillies Kyle Schwarber celebrates after winning the tiebreaker at the MLB baseball All-Star game between the American League and National League last night in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

‘Peace on Da Streets’ basketball tournament ‘is going very well’

ON THE REPLAY: The 30th anniversary of the “Peace

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Ken Farrington with 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. BPL Shockwaves beat Cruise Bahamas 32 - 17, game MVP Colyn Thompson with 12 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. Rotary East beat the Tucker Boys 35 - 21, game MVP Corey Sands with 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist.

Wizards beat The Summit 35 - 23, game MVP Mario Forbes with 10 points, 14 rebounds, and 1 block.

IBA RED-A beat Sand Elite 35 - 26, game MVP Oben Dalestin with 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

Among the spectators was longtime supporter and community member Trey Rolle, who attended with his two young sons.

“I’ve been coming to this tournament for years,” Rolle said.

“It’s more than just a tournament, it’s about giving these players a space to shine and stay focused,” Rolle added.

Still, several fans noted the lack of clear communication regarding game times and matchups, prompting calls for tighter scheduling and more realtime updates for attendees. Despite the bumps, the Hope Center pulsed with shouts of encouragement and the sound of sneakers squeaking across the newly paved courts. Vendors sold cold drinks and snacks within the premises, and the tournament’s message of unity and peace continued to resonate. As the tournament moves into midweek rounds, all eyes remain on