Sports
“One day Adaejah will be the fastest woman in the world” — Wheatley
(JTV News) — Natalio Wheatley, the Seventh District candidate for the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) in the upcoming elections, believes Adaejah Hodge will one day dominate women’s sprinting on the international level.
Hodge, who won three gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and long jump for the territory at the 2022 Carifta Games, is just a high school junior, representing Montverde Academy in Florida, USA.
But her time of 22.33 seconds over the 200m at the New Balance Nationals Indoor in Boston on March 12 is a standard that can best many senior women in the world. She had also broken the old record of 22.89 with a run of 22.77 seconds in the preliminaries at the New Balance meet.
Although awaiting official ratification, 22.33 is a world under-20 record, a US national high school record, and a British Virgin Islands national record.
Wheatley, like so many have been predicting for the past three years, believes that Hodge is on the rise to one day become the fastest woman alive.
“I have said it before, and I will say it again,” Wheatley wrote on his Facebook profile. “One day Adaejah will be the fastest woman in the world.”
Wheatley, who will be seeking to get back into the Premier’s chair after the April 24 polls, said Hodge, who recently turned 17, has a bright future.
“I am so proud of this young superstar! The future is bright, and Adaejah’s name is all over it! Congratulations!” he said.
Seven young boys from the British Virgin Islands are set to experience basketball at its finest as they head to Orlando, Florida From November 23 to 28. The ballerswill participate in the Jr. Orlando Magic Youth Basketball Camp, an opportunity that combines skill development, fun, and a front-row seat to the NBA world.
The trip is organised through Sports Vision Academy, led by Mr. Eustace “Boss” Freeman. The young athletes—Niquan Freeman, Kyle Gumbs Jr., Jahy Smith, Ke’mori Daway, Tiondre Martin, Jaiden Cameron, and Jadey Glasgow—will be accompanied by Freeman himself, alongside Jovaughn Cameron and Roy Garraway.
“It’s the first time attending this camp, and the boys will also get the opportunity to attend an NBA game as well,” Freeman shared enthusiastically. “They will witness the Bulls take on the Magic, which is bound to be an unforgettable experience.”
The camp promises not only to refine their basketball skills but also to expose them to professional-level gameplay and sportsmanship.
Freeman expressed deep gratitude to the sponsors who made the trip possible, including the BVI Olympic Committee, Travel Wize LTD, and HNF. “Today’s youth are tomorrow’s stars,” Freeman said, reflecting on the impact this trip could have on the boys’ futures.
For these young ballers, this is more than a camp—it’s a chance to dream big and see where their talent can take them.
After an eight-year hiatus, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Swimming Federation returned to the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Swimming Championships with a six-member team at the 32nd annual event held from November 8–10 at the Shrewsbury Aquatic Center in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. This marked BVI’s first appearance since 2016, following setbacks from Hurricane Irma in 2017 that impacted athletic infrastructure and development programs.
Representing the BVI were Jai Potter (15-17), Kyla Potter (11-12), Arun Bissoondutt (9-10), Naya Bissoondutt (8 & Under), Skyler Steer (8 & Under), and William Vergel (8 & Under). Under the guidance of Coach Elsworth Phillip, the young athletes held their own against teams from 11 other territories including reigning champions Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and host nation St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
A standout performance was delivered by Kyla Potter, who claimed a silver medal in the 11-12 Girls 50m Butterfly with a time of 32.16, just 0.5 seconds shy of the gold. This impressive finish highlighted her potential among the region’s top young swimmers. Additionally, Kyla placed 4th in the 100m Butterfly, 6th in the 50m Breaststroke, and achieved competitive rankings across other events.
run Bissoondutt earned 9th place finishes in the 9-10 Boys 50m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle, while Skyler Steer placed in the top 10 in multiple events for the 8 & Under Girls, including an 8th place finish in the 25m Backstroke. William Vergel, competing in the 8 & Under Boys, placed 10th in the 25m Freestyle. Additionally, the team’s 10 & Under mixed 200m Freestyle relay, featuring Arun, Naya, Skyler, and William, secured a respectable 5th place.
At the conclusion of the championships, Antigua and Barbuda claimed their third consecutive OECS title with 1,419 points, followed by Grenada with 1,301.5 points and St. Vincent and the Grenadines with 1,102 points. The BVI finished in 7th place overall, earning 37 points, and celebrated this opportunity to renew its presence in regional swimming after years of rebuilding efforts.
Coach Phillip praised the athletes for their dedication, stating, “Our swimmers have demonstrated commendable focus and resilience. Kyla’s silver medal is a significant achievement and reflects the promising direction of our program.”
The election took place on Friday, 18 October, during the ANOCES General Assembly at the luxurious Sandals Beaches Resort in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Penn’s years of dedicated service to the Olympic movement, coupled with his strong leadership vision, played a significant role in his election.
Penn’s appointment heralds a renewed emphasis on regional collaboration within the Olympic framework. Upon accepting the role, he shared his aspirations for the organisation:
“I am honoured to serve as President of ANOCES, and I look forward to working closely with my colleagues in the Eastern Caribbean to advance sports development, support our athletes, and further promote the Olympic ideals,” Penn remarked. “Together, we will build a stronger and more unified sports community in the region.”
Under Penn’s leadership, the British Virgin Islands has seen transformative growth in both grassroots and elite sports, particularly in track and field, where the region has consistently outperformed on the international stage.
Penn will be joined by a team of experienced sports administrators. Dominica’s Billy Doctrove, a prominent figure in Caribbean sports and President of the Dominica NOC, has been elected Vice President of ANOCES. Additional key appointments include:
- Keith Joseph (St Vincent and the Grenadines) – General Secretary
- Glenville Jeffers (St Kitts and Nevis) – Treasurer
- Cliff Williams (Antigua and Barbuda) – Committee Member
With this experienced leadership, ANOCES is poised to continue strengthening the Olympic movement and supporting athletes across the Eastern Caribbean.
The ANOCES team has a packed agenda, with their next meeting scheduled in Panama City, Panama, from 12 to 14 November 2024. This gathering will coincide with the Centennial Celebration of Centro Caribe Sport (CCS), formerly the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organisation (CACSO).
The summit in Panama City will offer ANOCES members a platform to discuss strategic priorities for the future. “This is a pivotal time for our region as we chart a path toward greater inclusivity and innovation in sports development,” said Billy Doctrove, the newly elected Vice President.
Sports administrators across the region have expressed optimism about the new leadership. “Ephraim Penn has consistently shown a remarkable ability to unite people and achieve ambitious goals,” commented Keith Joseph, General Secretary of ANOCES. “His vision and commitment will be crucial as we face the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
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