Saturday 18thh, Toronto, Canada– Men’s sprint cyclist, three-time Pan American Junior Games Gold Medallist; and reigning Pan Am record holder Njisane Phillip, won Trinidad & Tobago it’s second medal of this year’s PanAm Games. He claimed the silver medal in the finals of the Men’s Sprint losing to his training partner, Canadian Hugo Barrett.
Following the race Phillip said, “I think this was a great performance. I didn’t get the gold and I’m a bit disappointed but I think I executed my rides perfectly today. All that I had in my body I left it out there so I’m happy about that, and was able to better my bronze from 2011, so maybe in 4 years I can better the medal colour and break my record.”
As medallists Phillip will join George Bovell in receiving monetary bonuses from the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee for their performances. The medal bonus programme is an essential component of “TenGolds24,” the ten or more Olympic Gold medals by 2024 Athlete Welfare and Preparation Fund launched by the TTOC last year. Phillip will receive US$2000.
Of the fund Phillip said, “It’s good because now it’s not just the medal on the line, or pride on the line. You have something else to go for and a lot of athletes will step up to the game.”
Phillip will compete in the Keirin tomorrow and hopes to add to Trinidad and Tobago’s medal count. He was 7th in that event in the London 2012 Olympics, where he captured the world’s attention finishing 4th in the Men’s Sprint. Following the games, he will turn his attention to Olympic qualification. Phillip said, “I have five races to get the points done. Pan Am Championships will also be points so I have a month and a half to get ready but I’ve been training with a new team and they’ve helped me tremendously so I think I’ll be ready. I’m just really happy my PanAm record holds and I can keep it for another four years.”
On the water sailor Kelly Ann Arrindell placed 5th in the Women’s Laser Radial Event. This is an impressive showing from a mostly self-trained young lady who just completed her A-levels, and has been taking part in events for practice and training. The International Sailing Federation currently ranks Arrindell 206 in the world, and coming into the Pan Am Games her highest placing was 9th at the Cork OCR (Olympic Classes Regatta) in Kingston, Canada.
Her compatriot, national Laser Class champion Andrew Lewis finished 7th overall and has qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic games. Lewis is the sixth “seaman” to represent Trinidad and Tobago in yachting/sailing in Olympic history, and was the only English speaking laser sailor from the Caribbean at the London 2012 Olympics. Lewis eventually place 37th out of 40 competitors in London, and gained recognition following the games for a daring solo, wind-aid-only dinghy sail from Pigeon Point, Tobago, to Maracas Beach, Trinidad. He completed that journey in 11hours and 52 minutes.
Over in Beach Volleyball, the men’s duo of Williams and Whitfield won their 9th -12th round matchup against Nicaragua 2 sets to 1. The women’s duo of Davidson and Dyette will next play Guatemala on Sunday.
In field hockey, the men’s team lost their game against the United States 2-1. In football action, the men’s team suffered a disappointing loss to Paraguay 5-1, while the women warriors lost today’s must win match against Mexico 3-1.
Out on the golf course Monifa Sealy, ended the third round ranked 19th while Christina Ferreira was ranked 22nd. On the men’s side, Talin Rajendranath is currently ranked 27th after the third round of play, while Sachin Kumar is ranked 19th. In the mixed team event featuring all four golfers, Trinidad and Tobago is currently ranked 14th. Golf continues tomorrow.