TT crowned CAREBACO champs

Sparked by the brilliance of national champion Anil Seepaul, his youthful doubles partner Kerwyn Pantin and former three-time junior champion Kesma Bonito, Trinidad and Tobago were crowned 2003 Caribbean Regional Badminton Confed-eration (CAREBACO) champions when they defeated Barbados 3-2 at the Jean Pierre Complex yesterday.

In an absorbing duel between the players of the two countries in the gold medal match, it was three-time champion Seepaul whose forceful smashes and tactical play with skilful 19-year-old Pantin which allowed the local fans and the players to celebrate TT’s third lien on the coveted CAREBACO title, having won in 1990 and 1996 when the championships were held locally. It was third time at home. Seepaul and Pantin were bronze medallist at last year’s Central Ameri-can and Caribbean (CAC) Games. And they displayed wonderful co-ordination to down their opponents in clinical style.  The strategy used by national team coach Daren Dasent to replace Glendon Thomas and Darron Charles tandem with the Seepaul/Pantin combination proved right as they whipped the Barbadian pair of Andre Padmore and Curwin Cherubin 15-3 and 15-11. At that stage,TT clinched the title with an insurmountable 3-1 lead with only the ladies doubles to be contested.

Earlier, 27-year-old triple-crown champion Seepaul started the triumphant march when he stopped Barbadian three-time champion Ryan Holder 15-13 and 17-15 after 34 minutes of exciting action from both rival champions. Former national girls champion Bonito, 19, spent 12 minutes on court as she easily disposed of Mariama Eastmond 11-5 and 11-1 and the local supporters were on a high. However, there was a hiccup when Canadian-based Thomas teamed up with Zeudi Mack in the mixed doubles encounter. The newly-formed pair succumbed to the Bajan champion duo of Holder and Dionne Holder after three tension-filled sets at 8-15, 15-3 and 8-15  after 34 minutes of gripping action. Suriname took the CAREBACO junior trophy in convincing fashion when they whipped Jamaica 5-0 in the gold medal match which was played simultaneously at the JP Complex.

Summarised scores: Seniors —TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO beat BARBADOS 3-2. —  Anil Seepaul bt Ryan Holder 15-13,  17-14; Kesma Bonito bt Mariama Eastmond 11-5, 11-1; Glendon Thomas and Zeudi Mack lost to Ryan Holder and Dionne Holder 8-15, 15-3, 15-8; Anil Seepaul and Kerwyn Pantin bt Andre Padmore 15-3, 15-11; Sabrina Cassie and Zeudi Mack lost to Dionne Holder and Mariama Eastmond 14-17, 4-15.

Junior — SURINAME beat JAMAICA 5-0 — Mitchell Wongsodikromo and Stephanie Jadi bt Kirk Francis and Shaunekka Phillips 15-3, 15-8; Virgil Soeroredjo bt Kasif Bernard 15-3, 12-15, 15-3; Stefania Esajas bt Tracy Morgan 11-4,  11-7; Wongsodikromo and Soeroredjo bt Bernard and Francis 15-2, 15-6; Stephanie Jadi and Stefania Esajas bt Tracy Morgan and Shaunekka Phillips 15-6, 15-13.