GUYANA finished third overall at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Boxing Championship, held in St. Lucia, after a strong showing that saw the national team bag five gold medals.

The performance highlighted both emerging and established talent within the Guyanese boxing ranks.

Ken Harvey led the charge for Guyana, delivering a clinical performance in the Youth 60-63kg final, securing a unanimous decision victory over St. Lucia’s Kirt Kirton.

Rising star Akeelah Vancooten, later named the Best Female Boxer of the tournament, continued Guyana’s golden run. Vancooten forced a Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) against Jada Emmanuel of St. Lucia, asserting her dominance early in their bout.

In the Schoolboys 60-63kg final, Ryan Rogers added another gold to Guyana’s tally after the referee halted his bout against Chris Cooper (SLU), handing Rogers a convincing RSC victory.

Terron Wintz, who was subsequently honoured as the Best Youth Boxer of the Championship, delivered one of the most commanding performances of the tournament. Wintz dismantled Trinidad and Tobago’s Dornel Philip, winning his gold medal in emphatic fashion.

Emmanuel Pompey rounded out Guyana’s gold medal haul with a hard-fought points victory over Yakita Asaka, showcasing his tactical discipline and ring generalship.

Despite the impressive medal haul, not all of Guyana’s boxers had the opportunity to compete. Reigning OECS champion and team captain Abiola Jackman, alongside promising puncher Joel Williamson, were both unable to step into the ring as their opponents failed to show up, resulting in walkovers.

Despite missing out on what could have been two additional gold medals, Steve Ninvalle, President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), expressed pride in the team’s performance.

“A little disappointed that Jackman and Williamson didn’t get to enter the ring, but I’m happy we did a little better than last year,” said Ninvalle, referencing last year’s OECS Invitational where Guyana finished second overall with four gold and two silver medals from a compact squad of six boxers.

Ninvalle also credited the support system behind the athletes, adding: “I want to also congratulate the coaches and everyone who played an important role in the success of these boxers.” He specifically acknowledged Queensway Security for its “unflinching support” of Wintz and Williamson.

Looking ahead, Ninvalle reaffirmed the GBA’s commitment to strengthening its youth programme while providing regional and international exposure for Guyana’s elite boxers.

“We still have a lot of work to do, but participation in this championship was crucial for our boxers’ development,” he concluded.