Machel Cedenio marked his admission to the sub-45 club with a tremendous display of one-lap sprinting at the Cayman Invitational, in George Town, Grand Cayman, on Saturday night.

Cedenio produced a jaw-dropping 44.36 seconds run for a commanding victory in the men's 400 metres event. With that clocking, the 19-year-old quartermiler joined Deon Lendore in second spot on the all-time Trinidad and Tobago list.

Only national record holder Ian Morris has run faster. But with Lendore running 44.41 on Saturday afternoon, and Cedenio going five-hundredths of a second faster less than four hours later, Morris' 23-year-old T&T standard of 44.21 seconds could be under serious threat this season.

Cedenio, the 11th T&T athlete to join the sub-45 club, is now second on the 2015 world performance list, behind Grenadian world-leader Kirani James (44.22). Lendore is in third spot.

Ahead of the Cayman Invitational, Cedenio was 12th on the all-time T&T men's 400m list at 45.09. In 44.36 seconds, the Florida-based athlete leapfrogged nine quality quartermilers, including 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Lalonde Gordon (44.52), who slips to fourth, and 1964 Olympic silver medallist Wendell Mottley (44.82), who is down to seventh.

On Saturday, Cedenio successfully defended his Cayman Invitational title, breaking his 45.23 seconds meet record in the process. The 2014 world junior champion was unchallenged for gold, Jamaican Javon Francis finishing a distant second in 45.54 seconds. Bronze went to American Aldrich Bailey in 45.63.

T&T's Josanne Lucas was fifth in the women's 100m hurdles in 13.76 seconds. Romona Modeste clocked 54.47 for sixth spot in the women's 400m. And Jonathan Farinha, competing on his 19th birthday, finished seventh in the men's 200m in 21.21.

In Florida, Kelly-Ann Baptiste was the fastest sprinter on show in the Pure Athletics Sprint Elite Meet 2 women's 100m preliminaries. The 2011 World Championship bronze medallist topped heat one in 11 seconds flat, but did not face the starter in the final.

In the 200m event, Baptiste earned bronze in a wind-assisted 23.05 seconds.

Deborah John won the women's 100m hurdles "B" final in a wind-aided 13.56 seconds. Her 13.52 preliminary round run was also windy.

And Mikel Thomas clocked 13.50 seconds to secure fourth spot in the men's 110m hurdles final.

At yesterday's Shanghai Diamond League meet, in China, T&T track star Michelle-Lee Ahye finished third in the women's 100m dash in 11.13 seconds. Among the sprinters Ahye beat to the line were Jamaican Olympic champions, Veronica Campbell-Brown and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Campbell-Brown was fourth in 11.22, while Fraser-Pryce was fifth in 11.25.

Nigeria's Blessing Okagbare won in 10.98 seconds, while second spot went to American Tori Bowie (11.07).

T&T thrower Cleopatra Borel produced an 18.32 metres effort to finish sixth in the women's shot put. China's Gong Lijiao topped the field with a world-leading 20.23m throw.

Renny Quow finished eighth in the men's 400m, the T&T quartermiler getting home in 46.65 seconds. James emerged victorious in the one-lap race, the Grenadian world-leader stopping the clock at 44.66. Americans Tony McQuay (45.54) and LaShawn Merritt (45.58) were second and third, respectively.

Late on Saturday, Kayelle Clarke earned more precious metal at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Outdoor Track and Field Championships, in Kansas, USA.

Clarke, who won the women's 100m title earlier in the day, added 200m bronze. The New Mexico Junior College sprinter produced a wind-assisted 24.30 seconds run. Western Texas College student, Marissa Gale was seventh in 24.76.

South Plains College athlete, Jereem Richards, winner of the men's 400m title, finished fourth in the 200m final in 21.16 seconds.

South Plains won the men's and women's team titles.

Theon Lewis claimed bronze in the California Community College State Championship men's 400m event. Lewis clocked 47.67 seconds, while his College of the Sequoias teammate and fellow-T&T athlete, Ohdel James got home in 47.78 to finish fourth. In the 200m, Lewis was fifth in 21.68 seconds.

In Texas, Reyare Thomas grabbed gold in the Hardin-Simmons Twilight meet women's 200m event. The T&T sprinter completed the half-lap race in 23.92 seconds.

At the Hoka One One Distance Classic, in California, Jamaal James finished seventh in the men's 800m "B" race in one minute, 52.83 seconds.

And two Saturdays ago, at the Occidental Invitational, in California, Magnolia Howell clocked 54.37 seconds for fifth spot in the women's 400m.

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GUADELOUPE 37  MEXICO 3

The president of the CROS of Guadeloupe, on behalf of the whole sports movement Guadeloupe, welcomes the historical performance of the female handball team of Guadeloupe.

This is the first team sport that offers Guadeloupe international title: The selection is Pan American champion in its class, and as such will represent the area in the intercontinental tournament.

This performance rewards the strategy of integration supported by the leaders of the handball league Guadeloupe, understood, supported and accompanied by the French Handball Federation.

This performance reward the exceptional work conducted by the technical department at young people and the pole.

This performance, achieved in Colombie , must be an example to all sports in Guadeloupe, engaged with the CROS of Guadeloupe in a process of international integration, and to a first participation in the Central American and Caribean Games 2018 in Colombie.

New Zealand have qualified for the inaugural women's rugby competition at next summer's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro despite slipping to a shock defeat against Spain on the opening day of the latest World Sevens Series leg in London.

The Kiwis have been virtually unbeatable in recent years, winning both editions of the Series since it was first introduced in 2012-2013 and having claimed 37 consecutive victories heading into the latest event.

After a regulation opening win over Brazil that all changed, however, in stunning circumstances at The Stoop as their European opponents showed a stubborn refusal to giving up, eventually forcing a 19-15 victory thanks to a last gasp try by Spanish captain Patricia Garcia.

Garcia admitted afterwards that it was a massive win for Spanish rugby, while New Zealand counterpart Sarah Goss conceded that Spain were better on the day.

“Spain put up a good show like they always do," she said

"They are a quality side and unpredictable."

Goss' team fought back with a 24-0 win over France to reclaim top spot in the group and confirm their Rio participation, but will now realise plenty of hard work lies ahead and they are by no means certain of gold.

Spain were rewarded for their plucky efforts by finishing second in Pool A to set up a quarter-final against Australia tomorrow, while England will be the next challenge for the All Blacks after a heavy 31-0 loss to Canada consigned them to second place in Pool B.

Canada, meanwhile, who laboured to a victory over Russia before finding their best form against South Africa and the English, will now face Russia again for a place in the last four.

United States against France will complete the lineup at The Stoop stadium, with the competition to conclude tomorrow as action begins at nearby Twickenham Stadium in the latest round of the men's World Series.

With one round to go after this weekend - in Amsterdam next weekend - and the top four teams at the end of the Series qualifying for Rio, Canada, Australia and France are currently in poll positions for the other three places, although United States, England and Russia all remain in with a chance.

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Caledonia AIA pulled off a stunning upset on Friday night when it ousted defending champions and four-time winners DirecTV W Connection from the 2014/2015 Digicel Pro Bowl, 5-4 on penalty kicks after an entertaining 3-3 draw at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. In the winner-take-all $100,000 final on May 29, at the same Couva venue, Caledonia, tournament winners in 2008 and beaten in the decider, both in 2009 and 2012, will come up against first-time finalist Central FC, 1-0 winners over Police in Friday’s other semifinal.

It will be the second time that Central and Caledonia will be squaring off in a final after the latter won the T&T Football Association FA final, 2-0 at Couva in 2013, to ruin the “Sharks” prestigious title in their debut season. However, at Couva on Friday it was the Jerry Moe-coached Caledonia, disappointing eighth-placed league finishers this season which was on the tip of most spectators’ lips after dumping W Connection.

On the eve of the clash, a repeat of their previous two quarterfinal encounters, both won by W Connection 3-1, Moe had stated his team had much respect for its opponent, but held no fear. It was W Connection which struck as early as the third minute through defender Mekeil Williams, who rifled home past goalkeeper Shemel Louison from inside the six-yard box, off a rebound.

It did not take Caledonia too long to respond as Guyana international Pernell Schultz got on the end of a right-sided centre from Nathan Lewis to hit past Julani Archibald for a 1-1 score after only 11 minutes. Eight minutes before the half, Lewis was again the provider, this time for Kareem Joseph to fire past Archibald for a 2-1 lead which his team took into the break.

Caledonia could not have asked for a better start to the second-half when veteran midfielder, Conrod Smith latched onto a careless pass in his own 18-yard box by W Connection defender Alvin Jones and fired through the legs of defender Leslie Rusell on the goalline to extend his team’s advantage to 3-1 in the 56th and within sight of the finals.

The “Savonetta Boys” still searching for a first domestic title this season then mounted a late charge with Shannon Gomez and Jomal Williams replacing Yhon Stiven Reyes Lopez and Neil Benjamin Jr in the 61st minute while Jones made way for Christian Rodriguez 11 minutes later. The changes soon brought reward for coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier as Gomez right-sided cross was turned in by Shahdon Winchester in the 78th minute to reduce the score to 3-2.

Two minutes from the final whistle, with Caledonia hanging on by the thread, Gomez set up  Arcia to net and leveled the match at 3-3 and send the contest to penalties. Williams (M) started off things for W Connection by converting his attempt while Joseph did likewise for Caledonia. Winchester then stepped up with W Connection’s next attempt, but looked on in dismay as it ricocheted off the base of the upright to hand Caledonia the initiative which Pierre Hitner took full advantage of by scoring his effort for a 2-1 lead.

The trio of Hashim Arcia, Williams (J) and Gerard Williams scored the remaining three penalties for W Connection, but Caledonia trio Keyon Edwards, Nicholas Marcano and Jameel Neptune also found the target to send their team to the final, its first in the competition since a 5-2 drubbing from Defence Force in the 2012 decider at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

...Plaza sends Central FC to final
The second semifinal failed to live up to the first encounter as Central FC needed only one goal from Willis Plaza to slip past last year’s beaten finalist Police FC and secure their spot in the final.

Plaza, who also netted the lone goal in his team’s quarterfinal win over Defence Force, hammered home the winner six minutes into the match past goalkeeper Adrian Foncette on his first post to ease off-field worries of his teammates who entered the match distracted over promised bonuses yet to be paid.

Results
Caledonia 3 (Pernell Schultz 11th, Kareem Joseph 37th, Conrod Smith 56th) vs W Connection 3 (Mekeil Williams 3rd, Shahdon Winchester 78th, Hashim Arcia 88th) — Caledonia won 5-4 on penalty-kicks

Central FC 1 (Willis Plaza 6th) vs Police FC 0

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T&T’s women rugby sevens team yesterday began a valuable training stint in preparation for next month’s Nacra zone Olympic qualifiers with a series of matches against Central and South American opposition at the International Campus of Women Rugby Sevens Tournament in Medellin, Colombia.

Led by captain Ayanna Skeete and coached by Carlton Felix, the sevens team arrived in Colombia on Thursday for the two-day round-robin tournament. They were scheduled to play a series of top quality opposition in Casco champions and hosts, Colombia, Nacra women’s champions, Mexico, Costa Rica and Peru. The first match, against Mexico, finished after press time last evening.

They then faced the host team in the second match. Today, the second and final day, T&T will meet Peru and finally Costa Rica.

The team in Colombia is comprised of Skeete, Nicolette Pantor, Kanisha Vincent, Ornella George, Jolyene Coward, Sara Griffith, Kafi Wright, Alesha Bruce, Apphia Glasgow, Maria Mendez, Victoria Caliste, Dalia Jordan-Brown, Fayola Jack14. Tenisha Samuel-Duke, Blossom Stewart and Kathleen Stephens. Felix’s assistants are Jenilee Limada and Kelson Figaro. Ebony Young is the manager, while Derek Ashby-Williams is the team’s physiotherapist.

The trip, funded by the Sport Company of T&T (SporTT), Ministry of Sport, the T&T Olympic Committee and Nacra, is unprecedented a T&T women’s rugby team. Speaking ahead of the trip, Felix said the tournament serves a top opportunity to lift the women’s game and increase the team’s chances of success next month.

“I am really looking forward to this tournament, as it would provide us with ideal match preparation as well as give us the opportunity to have a closer look at some of the players,” Felix said.

“The timing of it would also allow us to properly analyze the games and make the necessary adjustments before the Nacra Tournament in June. The opportunity to have this type of preparation, as we have not had before, I am pretty confident that it will boost our chances come June.”

The women’s team will visit North Carolina, in the US, for the June 13-14 Olympic qualifiers.

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The magnificent AT&T Park in San Francisco will provide an impressive stage for the world's top men's and women's rugby sevens players to showcase their talent in 2018.

The San Francisco Bay area will host Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 after the World Rugby Council awarded hosting rights for the prestigious event to USA Rugby.

The magnificent AT&T Park in San Francisco, supported by Avaya Stadium in San Jose, will provide an impressive stage for the world's top men's and women's rugby sevens players to showcase their talent ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The competition dates will be announced in due course.

A major tourism and sports location with a strong rugby community, the San Francisco Bay area boasts superb facilities that will ensure that the 24 men's and 16 women's teams have everything that they require in their quest to be crowned world champions.

The reigning men's and women's world champions are New Zealand following a compelling event in Moscow in 2013 and San Francisco's hosting offers another opportunity to showcase rugby to new audiences in a rapidly growing market for the sport.

World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "Rugby sevens continues to go from strength to strength, proving a hit with fans, broadcasters and sponsors around the globe with its winning blend of compelling and competitive action, global destinations and festival atmosphere.

"Rugby World Cup Sevens is at the heart of the success story and we are delighted to be awarding these prestigious hosting rights to USA Rugby after a competitive process.

"I am sure that the San Francisco Bay area, with its major event experience and passion for sport, will be a popular and spectacular Rugby World Cup Sevens host."

The event will provide a perfect opportunity for rugby to capture hearts and minds in the USA, where rugby participation and interest continues to experience record growth with more than one million men, women and children now regularly playing what is one of the nation's fastest growing team sports.

USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville said: "We are delighted to be chosen to host the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens and look forward to delivering a fantastic rugby sevens experience for the players, fans, sponsors and media.

"Hosting a Rugby World Cup is an important step forward for rugby in the USA and will bring high levels of visibility and interest for the game in the country. We will also be using the opportunity to develop Impact 2018, a national legacy programme for the whole USA Rugby community."

With rugby sevens set to make its Olympic Games debut at Rio 2016, World Rugby took the decision last year to move Rugby World Cup Sevens back one year into the middle of the Olympic cycle to maximise the sport's integration onto the Olympic Games programme.

Lapasset added: "With an expanded 10-destination World Rugby Sevens Series beginning in 2015-16, Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 in the USA and rugby sevens set to make its Olympic Games debut at Rio 2016, these are exciting times for the sport as we continue to reach out, engage and inspire new audiences around the world."

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