Osuji grabs Pan Am bronze

Chinedum Osuji created history when he opened his country’s account in the Men’s Under 80kg Taekwondo competition, fighting his way to a bronze medal.

The local martial arts star easily beat Honduran Miguel Ferrera in the Round of 16 stage 4-1 then defeated Richard Alcantara of the Dominican Republic 5-3 in the quarter-finals to automatically put himself into medal contention.

The only question left to be answered was what colour it would be. His next opponent was James Moontasri of the USA in the semi-final.

The American ended the country’s hopes of a first ever gold medal in this event when beat Osuji 3-1. But Moontasri took a beating in the final as he was defeated 7-0 by eventual winner Angel Matos of Cuba.

It was a good day for Trinidad and Tobago as more success was enjoyed this time by the men’s hockey team.

The local hockeymen beat Cuba 2-1 in Match 8 of the Preliminaries of Pool “A” at the Field Hickey Centre.

The match started off tentatively with few clear cut chances and it came as no surprise that the first half ended goaless.

Cuba took the lead immediately after the resumption in the 47th minute with the local team starting of slowly and Hernandez Blanco capitalising to put his team ahead.

The TT players did not give up and the goal conceded seemed to spur them on as star player Kwanwayne Browne equalised the score in the 54th to keep the hope of victory alive. It was Atiba Whittington who proved the hero as he produced the winner in the 65th to send the TT contingent on the benches wild with excitement. Cuba pushed for the equaliser but the TT defence held firm and with the final whistle scenes of jubilation and joy broke out among the winning players.

In badminton results on Sunday, national player, Kerwyn Pantin was defeated by Pedro Yang of Guatemala in two straight sets in the Round of 16 Men’s Singles.

Olympic medalist and national swimmer, George Bovell was in action late last night in the heats for the Men’s 100m Freestyle.

His brother Nicholas and other national swimmers all took the pool last might for their qualifiers.