Sports
BVI athlete Kimberly Smith bags silver in indoor long jump

Kimberly Smith (first from right) celebrates her silver medal.
By MERRICK ANDREWS and CATHY RICHARDS, JTV News Editors
(JTV News) — Another British Virgin Islands (BVI) athlete shone at an indoor track and field meet in the United States of America (USA) this weekend.
Kimberly Smith, representing Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, USA, placed second in the women’s long jump final — achieving a personal best and losing the gold by a mere two centimeters — at the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Indoor Track & Field Championships in Pittsburg, Kansas on Saturday, the second day of the three-day meet.
Her silver-medal-winning performance of 5.88 meters or 19 feet and 3.5 inches occurred on her second attempt. She had other efforts of 5.69m (first attempt), 5.45m (third attempt), 5.77m (fourth attempt), 5.74m (fifth attempt), and 5.56m (sixth and final attempt).

Kimberly Smith on the run up in the women’s long jump final for Washburn University

Kimberly Smith in full flight for Washburn University in the women’s long jump.
Smith, a freshman at Washburn, lost the gold by narrowly as the winner, Kayla Goodwin, a sophomore at Central Missouri, recorded 5.90m (19′ 4.25″) on her fifth attempt — also a personal-best performance. She had other results of 5.69m, 5.86m, 5.67m, 5.76m, and 5.89m, in that order.
From third to fifth place also earned personal bests: Third place went to Auna Childress, a sophomore at Pittsburg St. with 5.85m (19′ 2.25″); fourth place went to Luisarys Toledo, a sophomore at NW Missouri, with 5.80m (19′ 0.25″) and fifth place went to freshman Makayla Watson of Pittsburg St, 5.74m (18′ 10″).

Beyonce Defreitas
The other BVI athlete who shone over the weekend is University of Central Florida (UCF) senior Beyonce Defreitas, who won gold and bronze in the women’s 200 meters and 60 meters, respectively, at the Feb. 24-25 American Athletic Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships held in Birmingham, Alabama.
Defreitas clocked 23.34 to win the 200m final after producing the second-fastest time, 23.73, in the preliminaries.
The former Elmore Stoutt High School student went on to take third place overall and the bronze in the women’s 60m final in 7.36 seconds.
She entered the final with the fastest time of 7.34.
Her UCF teammate won the final in 7.29.

British Virgin Islands athlete Beyonce Defreitas represents University of Central Florida
Local News
Winston Bolus League Opens With Wins for Relentless and Run It Up
– Premier Wheatley Tips Off Season with Ceremonial Free Throw
The 2026 Winston Bolus National District Basketball League opened Saturday, May 9, at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, with four games played over two days as the British Virgin Islands Basketball Association resumed organized district basketball competition.
Premier Natalio D. Wheatley officially opened the league by taking a ceremonial free throw during the opening ceremony, which marked the start of a season designed to strengthen coaching and expand opportunities for young athletes across the Virgin Islands.
Saturday’s schedule began with a Junior Division matchup in which Skillfull Ballers Club defeated On A Mission of the Ninth District, 79-27.
Azani Frett led Skillfull Ballers Club with 17 points. Neshaun Frett added 14 points, four steals and three blocks, while Azaniah Glasgow contributed 13 points and five assists.
On A Mission was led by Caleb Stuart, who scored 10 points and added three rebounds and one block.
In Saturday’s Senior Division game, Relentless of the Fourth District defeated VG Elite of the Ninth District, 90-70.
Shakeem Blackemor scored 29 points to lead Relentless. Devante Brewley added 16 points, and Tavon Phillip contributed 13 points.
VG Elite was paced by Shamarr George with 24 points, while Stephano Paul added 14 points.
On Sunday, Mt. Zion Stars of the Second District edged Young Empire of the Eighth District, 54-49, in Junior Division play.
Zion Phillip led Mt. Zion Stars with 25 points and 19 rebounds. Michael Sue added 10 points, including seven in the fourth quarter.
Young Empire was led by Jaleil Matthew with 15 points, while Ricco Bailey scored 12.
In the final game of the weekend, Run It Up of the Third District defeated Empire of the Eighth District, 63-45, in the Senior Division.
Kymal Panchoo recorded 23 points and 13 rebounds for Run It Up, and Jamal Serrante added 15 points.
Empire was led by Dreyonte Findlay with 14 points.
Local News
Nick Spizzirri Wins EMCs Tortola Classics Title After Five-Game Final
The EMCs Tortola Classics came to a spectacular conclusion on Friday night, May 8, 2026, at Tortola Sports Club, with top seed Nick Spizzirri crowned champion after an unforgettable five-game victory over Pakistan’s Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim.
Spizzirri claimed the title 11-13, 11-1, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5 in a gripping 67-minute final that delivered everything fans had hoped for. From the very first rally, both players showcased exceptional quality, battling fiercely for control of the middle of the court. Ibrahim edged a razor-close opening game in a tense tiebreak, but Spizzirri responded emphatically in the second, storming through 11-1. The momentum continued to swing throughout the contest, with Ibrahim forcing a deciding fifth after a powerful fourth-game display. However, Spizzirri’s composure, consistency, and attacking precision proved decisive in the final game as he pulled away to seal the championship.
The title capped off an outstanding week for Spizzirri, who had looked every bit the tournament favorite from start to finish. His path to the championship included commanding victories over BVI National Champion Joe Chapman in the quarterfinals and fellow American Tad Carney in the semifinals.
Quarterfinal night saw Spizzirri defeat Chapman in straight games, while Carney delivered a clinical win over Abhiroop Reddy Nagireddygari. BVI National Coach Adam Murrills kept local hopes alive with a dominant quarterfinal victory over Ian Rothweiler, and Ibrahim secured his semifinal berth by overcoming Charles de la Riva.
In the semifinals, Spizzirri once again demonstrated his class by defeating Carney in straight games, while Ibrahim ended Murrills’ remarkable tournament run in four games. Murrills had thrilled home supporters throughout the week with upset victories and inspired performances before injury hampered his semifinal challenge.
The tournament also featured standout moments from BVI players including Joe Chapman, Charles de la Riva, and Murrills, all of whom delivered memorable performances and represented the home crowd with distinction.
Ultimately, the EMCs Tortola Classics showcased an outstanding week of professional squash in the British Virgin Islands, blending elite international talent with impressive local achievements. From opening-round upsets to a championship final worthy of the occasion, the event proved a major success for Tortola Sports Club and the growing squash community in the BVI.
As players and fans reflect on a thrilling week, one thing is certain — the EMCs Tortola Classics has further cemented its reputation as one of the Caribbean’s premier squash events.

Local News
Top seed Nick Spizzirri and Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim PAK advances to the finals of the EMCs Tortola Classics
Semifinals night at the EMCs Tortola Classics brought high-level drama, fierce competition, and emotional moments on Thursday evening at Tortola Sports Club, as the tournament’s championship finalists were officially decided.
Top seed Nick Spizzirri continued his impressive run with a straight-games victory over close friend and fellow American Tad Carney. With the two players having grown up together, attended primary school, and living just minutes apart, familiarity was high entering the contest. The match opened with long, tactical rallies as both players carefully tested each other’s strengths. While the exchanges were often evenly contested, Spizzirri consistently demonstrated superior composure in key moments, using his movement and shot selection to outmaneuver Carney and secure an 11-3, 11-6, 12-10 victory. Carney threatened to extend the battle after building a 9-7 advantage in the third, but Spizzirri steadied himself to close out the match in three games.
The second semifinal featured hometown favorite and BVI National Coach Adam Murrills against Pakistan’s rising star Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim. Murrills energized the local crowd with a fast start, racing to an early lead in the opening game, but Ibrahim’s explosive power and precise winners soon shifted momentum. After taking the first two games, Ibrahim saw Murrills respond brilliantly in the third with improved court positioning and creative attacking play. However, disaster struck early in the fourth when Murrills sustained a right leg injury, significantly limiting his mobility. Despite bravely continuing, the BVI coach was unable to overcome the physical setback, and Ibrahim capitalized to seal an 11-8, 11-4, 5-11, 11-2 win and punch his ticket to the final.
The results set up a highly anticipated championship clash between the tournament’s top seed Nick Spizzirri and the dangerous Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim. Spizzirri enters the final with consistent form and recent success from tournaments in Bermuda and the U.S., while Ibrahim’s power and shot-making ability have established him as a serious challenger capable of producing an upset.
Following the semifinals, JTV Sports caught up with Adam Murrills, Tad Carney, and Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim. Murrills expressed disappointment that he was unable to fully dictate play from the start, Carney predicted Spizzirri would claim the title in three games, and Ibrahim acknowledged Spizzirri’s credentials while making it clear he would not be intimidated as he pursues championship glory.
With the EMCs Tortola Classics final now set, fans at Tortola Sports Club are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to an outstanding week of professional squash.
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Local News12 hours agoNick Spizzirri Wins EMCs Tortola Classics Title After Five-Game Final












