President of the JOA Chris Samuda (r) shared a moment with Mattea Issa and the Jamaica golf team to the 64th Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships at the Norman Manley International Airport on Saturday.
Five of Jamaica’s eight-member team departed the island on Saturday for the 64th Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships which will be played at the Country Club at Grand Reserve, Rio Grande in Puerto Rico from August 24 to 26.
The five - Justin Burrowes, Mattea Issa, William Knibbs, Dr Mark Newnham and Shamar Wilson - will be joined later by Rocco Lopez, Owen Samuda and Madelyn Newkirk. The team will have two practice rounds on the par 72 course prior to the start of the championship as they prepare to challenge for the Arthur Ziadie Trophy, the Hoerman Cup and the George Teale Trophy.
A strong men's team headed by national amateur golf champion Justin Burrowes will lead the charge for Hoerman Cup which Jamaica has never won. Jamaica was third at the last championship held in 2019. There was no competition in 2020 because of the pandemic.
"It's one of my favourite tournaments, the Caribbean tournament, it means everything to me to travel with my team to represent my country and hopefully do well," said Burrowes, who welcomed the new players to the campaign.
"I think they get along really well with the team. They are both very easy people to get along with so that aspect of it is easy. They are both two very talented golfers so I know they will go out and do their best and that's all we can really ask for.
“I played junior golf with Rocco at least three or four times so I know Rocco really well and we are rooming together; and Shamar, we have been playing together for the past two or three years so we have a good connection there and in the team practices we have been getting along really well and I think to have them on the team is a good addition."
Meanwhile, Wilson said he is eagerly awaiting the start of the tournament.
"It feels exciting, naturally, to go and represent your country which is the highest stage there is. Everybody wants to get to the stage where it’s the biggest thing to go represent your country, so I am really excited about that," he said.
The most experienced member of the team is Dr Mark Newnham is hoping he is able to inspire the team to give their best.
“What I bring to the team is not only that level of experience but in previous management as well as obviously physician capacities, I have been able to get the best out of the team and I am just looking forward,” he said.
“If you take out my age, we are talking about a very young group of players, talented, awesome and we just going to play and support each other and do Jamaica proud. The awesome talent that's there and how well we gell together is going really do well for our chances of bringing home the Hoerman Cup and the George Steele Trophy."
Williams Knibbs, a former amateur champion said he feels like he is ready to play his best golf at the tournament.
"I feel like I am rounding into form at the right time so physically the game is there so it is just for me to deal with it mentally and emotionally," he said.
The female team has been weakened by the unavailability of the four golfers who were named after the trials. This is because the date of the championship was changed to a later time in August and they are unable to get the time off from school. Fourteen-year Mattea Issa makes her debut on the senior team while Madelyn Newkirk, who represented Jamaica back in 2016, returns to the team.
Issa was happy to be called to the senior team for the first time.
"It feels great to represent my country. It's something that I have always wanted to do. It's a goal of mine to do at this age,” she said.
“Most of the people on my team are a lot older than me so being 14, I think is going to be a great learning experience and I am going to have a great time. My expectations for this tournament is to learn a lot and do the best as I can, shoot as best as I can and overall, end this tournament being a better golf player because I will be learning a lot from the rest of my teammates."
Meanwhile, team manager Robert Chin has high hopes for the team's chances at the championship.
"I think the men's team will do very well given the experience and given the fact that these guys have performed at the highest level in the Caribbean before so I do expect them to deliver. On the female side, a little short but it's what it is and we have to just play with what we have," he said.
Fitness athlete Deidre Lewis thrilled with third-place finish at Mr. and Miss Argentina Pro, eyes further improvements for Chile
Jamaican fitness athlete Deidre Lewis is celebrating a well-earned third-place finish at the IFBB Pro Mr. and Miss Argentina competition, where she competed in the Bikini Fitness Professional category. Lewis stood proudly on the podium behind Brazilian competitors Larissa Dick, who claimed the title, and Flavia Carneiro, who placed second. Rounding out the top five were Franziska Lohberger of Germany in fourth and Anna Wozniakowska of Poland in fifth, completing a competitive lineup of elite pros.
Competing against a field of nine accomplished athletes, Lewis expressed her satisfaction with her performance, crediting her success to adjustments she made based on judges’ feedback from previous competitions. Earlier this year, she competed in the Roger Boyce Classic in Barbados, where judges advised her to work on tightening her glutes. Taking this feedback to heart, Lewis dedicated herself to refining her physique, increasing both muscle definition and overall balance.
"I am pleased, elated, and satisfied," Lewis said. "I made major improvements based on the judges' feedback and where I want to be in the sport, and it paid off. It was a tough lineup with nine competitive pros, and I am happy I represented my country well."
For her Argentina showing, Lewis maintained her size from the Barbados competition and focused on making her legs slightly bigger to enhance her shape and symmetry. Her efforts paid off, and she left a strong impression on the judges and audience alike. Still, she remains determined to push her performance to even greater heights.
Reflecting on feedback from Argentina, Lewis shared that the judges suggested she could benefit from presenting a more shredded look. With her next competition, the Mr. Universe Chile Pro on November 23-24, just weeks away, Lewis plans to dial in her conditioning to meet this goal and present an even more refined physique on stage.
With her dedication to continuous improvement, Deidre Lewis is proving herself to be a force in the Bikini Fitness Professional category. Her podium finish in Argentina highlights her growth in the sport, and her sights are now firmly set on achieving even greater success in Chile.
Jamaican hurdler Damion Thomas reveals career-saving surgery, eyes return to top form
Jamaican hurdler Damion Thomas, a promising talent who has seen his career hampered by injuries, on Sunday revealed that he underwent surgery on October 21 to address a persistent foot issue. The procedure, known as an osteophytectomy, involved the removal of a bone spur that had been causing severe discomfort and pain in his Achilles tendon and lower heel, limiting his ability to train and perform at his best.
Thomas, who has made significant strides in his athletic career despite facing recurring injuries, expressed gratitude for the medical support he’s received. Under the guidance of Dr. John Thompson, a specialist who has overseen his rehabilitation since March, Thomas has worked through rigorous physical therapy and orthopedic care to manage his injury. However, as the pain continued to affect his performance, surgery became necessary to give him the best chance at a full recovery.
“This past year working with Dr. Thompson has been monumental,” Thomas shared on social media. “Since March, Dr. Thompson’s overseeing of my injury through physical therapy, orthopedic care, and lastly surgical procedure has been a driving force in allowing me to finish the previous season and set myself up for a new future. I am thankful.”
The 24-year-old hurdler, who specializes in the 110m and 60m hurdles, has a decorated history in athletics. A former Louisiana State University (LSU) standout, Thomas won the 2021 NCAA Indoor 60m hurdle title, setting a school record and becoming the fifth-fastest hurdler in NCAA history. In 2018, he equaled the junior world record of 12.99 seconds in the 110m hurdles, a feat that positioned him as one of the most promising young hurdlers globally. Thomas also represented Jamaica at the Tokyo Olympics, advancing to the semi-finals with a time of 13.39 seconds in the 110m hurdles.
In early 2024, Thomas was selected to represent Jamaica at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow. Despite his impressive achievements, ongoing injuries have held him back from reaching his full potential on the international stage.
With the surgery now behind him, Thomas is focused on recovery and a strong comeback. His determination to overcome setbacks highlights his commitment to his sport, and fans are hopeful that the procedure will enable him to return to peak form in the coming season.
Reggae girl Shania Hayles scores as Newcastle United Women defeat league leaders Birmingham to climb to fourth in Barclays Women’s Championship
Shania Hayles continued her strong season with Newcastle United Women by scoring in their 2-0 victory over league leaders Birmingham City Women on Sunday, propelling her team to fourth place in the Barclays Women’s Championship. The goals from Hayles and substitute Isabella Sibley proved decisive in a thrilling encounter that saw Newcastle showcase their resilience under heavy pressure from the league leaders.
The match started with both sides exchanging early opportunities, but Birmingham had the first real chance after eight minutes when Ivana Fuso set up Lily Agg in the box, only for Agg’s shot to soar over the crossbar. Newcastle responded strongly, and in the 22nd minute, Hayles, recently named October Player of the Month, put her team ahead. Beth Lumsden created the opportunity with swift footwork on the right, setting up Hayles at the penalty spot, where she struck cleanly to make it 1-0.
Birmingham looked to level the score immediately and came close several times, especially after capitalizing on a loose pass from Newcastle's goalkeeper, Claudia Moan. Moan redeemed herself, however, by pulling off a crucial save to deny Fuso’s shot. Agg then came within inches of equalizing, only for her header to be cleared off the line by Newcastle defender Charlotte Potts.
The second half saw Birmingham intensify their attack, dominating possession and creating numerous chances. Tegan McGowan nearly scored with a well-struck volley, and Birmingham rattled the woodwork three times in quick succession, with close calls from Fuso and McGowan showcasing their relentless pursuit of an equalizer. Despite the near-constant pressure from Birmingham, the Newcastle defense held firm, backed by Moan's strong presence in goal.
With Birmingham pushing for an equalizer, Newcastle struck again on the counter. Lumsden broke down the left wing and unleashed a powerful shot that ricocheted off the crossbar, falling to substitute Sibley. The forward controlled the rebound and calmly slotted it past the last defender, sealing Newcastle’s 2-0 victory.
Sibley nearly added a second just minutes later, but her shot was blocked by a Birmingham defender in a last-ditch effort. Despite Birmingham’s relentless attacks, Newcastle’s defense held strong, securing a crucial win that underscored their tactical discipline and ability to capitalize on opportunities.
The victory marked a significant step for Newcastle United Women in their championship campaign, with Hayles’ contributions reinforcing her role as the team’s top scorer.
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