Bovell goes for gold in Pan Am pool

ACE swimmer George Bovell III, fifth in his pet 200 metres freestyle at the recent World Swimming Championships in Barcelona, Spain, was focusing on striking gold for Trinidad and Tobago in last night’s final in the same event at the XIV Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Bovell III cruised to victory in his heat yesterday morning, the second best time of 1:51.00 seconds. He was set to match strokes with  Brazilian swimmer Rodrigo Castro who posted the fastest qualifying time. Last night’s final was scheduled for 8.36 pm. Younger brother Nicholas Bovell will swim the “B” final earlier, after qualifying with a personal best  time of 1:55.56 in the 200 metres free. Also down to contest “B” finals are teenagers Ayeisha Collymore who was clocked in 5:26.60 for her swim in the 400 metres individual medley heat and Sharntelle McLean in the 100 metres freestyle, with a clocking of 59.52 seconds in her heat. But Linda McEachrane managed only eighth in her 100 metres freestyle heat timed in 1:00.21 seconds, and was ousted. According to Chef-de-Mission Brian Lewis yesterday, Trinidad and Tobago hockey men take on United States in a battle for fifth position, while the women meet Canada for a similar position. 
Both matches are on today.

Top amateur heavyweight boxer Keston Manswell trade punches with Dominican Republic hometown hero Francisco Nunez  tonight in a bout which would put him in the bronze medal round with victory. Manswell holds the psychological advantage over Nunez whom he beat in El Salvador last year, on his way to the silver medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games. Cheryl-Ann Sankar will begin her battle for a medal when taekwondo action gets underway on Thursday. On a sour note however, Lewis said badminton queen Sabrina Cassie will be returning home from the Games tonight, after suffering a severe knee injury. Lewis said he hopes the athletes compete to the best of  their ability and do not put too much expectations on themselves. To date, Trinidad and Tobago have collected two bronze  medals at the Games.