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Djimon Gumbs Confident and Prepared for the Discus Event at the Pan American Games in Chile
October finds Djimon Gumbs training to ensure he can compete at the highest level against some of the finest discus throwers at the Pan American Games in Chile.
He is part of a four-person contingent proudly representing the British Virgin Islands in this monumental athletic event in Santiago.
With more than 700 athletes from North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean, all are looking to see who will break records and who will medal.
As the anticipation builds up for his event on October 30, Gumbs shared his thoughts and ambitions and gave an insight into his journey so far with jahphixtelevsion.com.
“I think that my preparation has been more than enough,” Gumbs confidently said.
“One of the things that will be most interesting is to see how far I throw while under load. I have been lifting heavy weights, and doing a normal offseason workout, and to compete in November is a little odd but nevertheless the mission remains the same.”
Indeed Gumbs is no stranger to facing challenges head-on. The PanAm Games in Chile marks the second biggest meet of his career, and he is fully aware of the tough competition he faces.
“Facing off against some of the people I usually watch on TV will be amazing, but I think that I am confident enough that I will go in there and shake some things up,” he emphasised.
One of the key elements in Gumbs’ journey is the unwavering support and guidance of his coach Mike. “Staying relaxed and trusting yourself, as well as your coaching, is the most important thing. Thankfully, my coach, Coach Mike, is here, so it makes things a lot better,” Gumbs shared.
For the territory’s current top discus thrower, the upcoming competition holds significant personal value. “I know that the 30th will be special. I’m not sure how yet, but win, lose, or draw, I know that I will once again be a part of history, and just having my name out there with the greats is just another accomplishment for me.”
Gumbs revealed that he doesn’t “usually set goals because if I do set goals, then that’s all I focus on, and then it creates a domino effect of problems, so my only goal is to go out there, have fun, execute, and see how far that takes us. Take 3 big swings (throws) and hope we get 3 more. Anything that comes after that I’ll take.”
Gumbs’ journey is particularly inspirational. He is an islander who remains steadfast in his commitment to hard work in order to reach the pinnacle of his field.
“Being from such a small island, it kinda makes you feel like you are inferior to the athletes that are representing their respective countries, but one thing I have learned is that once you make it into meets like these, it means that your work goes unnoticed, and you have the potential to do so much more.”
He also acknowledged the responsibility he feels to inspire the younger generation in the BVI. “Being from a small island, and knowing that my generation is up next makes me hungrier than ever, and it is important that I decide to stay hungry to meet the goals that are set out for not just me but for my country.”
Gumbs expressed his gratitude to those who have supported him on this incredible journey. “First and foremost, all praises and thanks go to God Almighty for blessing me with these talents and to go out there to represent my country to its fullest potential,” he said. “I can never forget my loving parents, siblings, family, and friends. Earlier in the year, I was really struggling in track and field, and without them, I don’t think that I would be here in Chile right now.”
Djimon Gumbs believes that the PanAm Games symbolise the diversity and unity of athletes from around the world. “There are literally millions of athletes in the world, and coming to a games like this, it makes you realise that there are people from all over the world who want this just as bad as you, or even more.”
When it comes to his mental preparation, Gumbs highlighted the importance of simplicity. “So mentally, I just try not to do too much. Me and my coach go through a little talking. Most of it is from a technical standpoint, how we want the throw to look, and what we think will make it into finals, and little stuff like that. After that, it’s have fun and let your body take care of the rest.”
As he prepares to step into the discus ring, Gumbs relies on self-assurance and confidence. “Confidence starts from the warmup. You have to believe that you feel good, even when you don’t, because the mind is a powerful thing. That sets the tone for warmups, straight into the end of the competition.”
To those who aspire to follow in his footsteps, Gumbs has some words of wisdom. “My advice to the younger ones who are looking up to me would be to trust in yourself, and believe that the path you are on will drive you to greatness. Always remember to stay determined and always challenge yourself to become the best version of yourself.”
In terms of his strategy for the competition, Gumbs explained, “I have no strategy, as I said before, we look at it as three swings to throw as far as we could. From there, it can go really well, or really bad. Obviously, you will hope that this day will be your day when you are in peak form.”
He is filled with pride and gratitude. “Getting the chance to wear BVI on my chest is one of the best feelings I could ever feel. Knowing that this is what I wanted to do from young and it is now coming into fruition is sometimes a surreal feeling for me, but I know that I have been putting in the work, so I do deserve to be here as well.”
“Let’s be the best we can be, and go BVI!,” Gumbs added.
The Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority has recorded 10 vessel-grounding incidents between February and December this year, including four between October and December, prompting Chief Marine Accident Investigator in the Premier’s Office, Jerome Padmore, to call on vessel owners and operators to heighten vigilance while navigating Virgin Islands waters.
“This is a significant number and it is concerning, especially given that the marine tourism season is just beginning,” Mr. Padmore said. “It highlights the urgent need to reinforce strict situational and navigational awareness when operating in local waters.”
He said the incidents primarily involved bareboat charter catamarans and occurred under varying conditions, but all shared common contributing factors: reduced situational awareness, inadequate passage planning, and over-reliance on electronic navigation systems.
Mr. Padmore said most groundings are preventable and typically result from human error rather than mechanical failure. Common causes include lapses in concentration, misinterpretation of navigation tools, incorrect assessments of shallow areas, and excessive dependence on electronic charts.
“In regions like the Virgin Islands, operators must remain vigilant due to the complex geography, which includes numerous islands, cays, reefs, shoals, and submerged rock formations,” he said. “These elements can change with tides and weather, making attention to detail essential.”
He also warned that groundings pose serious environmental risks, including damage to coral reefs, seagrass beds, and marine habitats. Even one incident, he said, can cause long-term ecosystem harm and require costly restoration efforts.
The MSIRA is urging all vessel operators—including charter crews, private owners, commercial operators, and bareboat charterers—to reaffirm their commitment to safe navigation. Recommendations include reviewing bareboat charter qualification criteria, ensuring proper briefings, consulting cruising guides and local charts before departure, following designated channels, monitoring water depth, observing navigational buoys, and reporting hazards.
All marine accidents, including groundings, must be reported to the MSIRA within 24 hours, as required under the Virgin Islands Merchant Shipping (Accident Investigation and Reporting) Regulations 2020.
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National Parks Trust Marks Arbour Day With Native Tree Planting at The Baths and Spring Bay
The National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands observed Arbour Day 2025 on Nov. 21 with native tree plantings at The Baths National Park and Spring Bay National Park, part of an ongoing effort to restore natural vegetation and strengthen coastal ecosystems.
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the Trust said the plantings support the replacement of invasive species and the long-term health of two of the Territory’s most visited natural sites. Officials said the initiative aligns with broader conservation priorities across the national park system.
“Arbour Day is an opportunity to give back to the land that sustains us,” the Trust said. “These plantings contribute to the resilience of our coastal landscapes and help ensure these sites remain healthy for generations to come.”
Alongside the plantings, the Trust’s annual Arbour Day Plant Sale is being held at the Joseph Reynold O’Neal Botanic Gardens from Nov. 17 through Nov. 28. The sale features a variety of fruit trees, including Suriname cherry, lemon, sugar apple, sugarcane fruit, and starfruit, as well as other native species. The Trust also made available the Ylang Ylang tree, known for its fragrant yellow blossoms used in perfumery.
Residents were encouraged to take part in Arbour Day by planting trees in their communities or visiting the Botanic Gardens to purchase native species. The Trust noted that public participation plays a vital role in advancing environmental stewardship across the Territory.
Arbour Day observances highlight reforestation, biodiversity, and the importance of native vegetation — key components in safeguarding the ecological integrity of the Virgin Islands.
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Government Retracts Bulletin on Indefinite Work Permit Exemptions Amid Public Confusion
The Ministry of Labour and Workforce Development of the Government of the Virgin Islands has officially retracted a bulletin issued yesterday November 11, regarding the status of Indefinite Work Permit Exemptions.
Individuals previously granted indefinite exemptions under the categories of Marriage or Minister’s Discretion were instructed to submit renewal applications, while those under the Education category must now apply for a standard work permit. The Ministry emphasized that work permit exemptions are a privilege, not a status, and encouraged eligible residents to apply for residence status instead.
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