LIKE
her three predecessors, Guyana’s latest world champion, Gwendolyn
“Stealth Bomber” O’Neil was presented with gifts, yesterday, for
her outstanding feat that lifted the country’s international profile.
O’Neil
paid a courtesy call on President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the
President, when the head of state bestowed the honour on the country’s
first female world champion and country’s first boxer to win the
prestigious title on local soil, to express the nation’s appreciation
in a tangible way.
President
Jagdeo committed to the world champion a middle-income house lot, $5
million towards constructing a house and a duty free concession for a
vehicle.
In
the main event of the historic “Clash in the Park” world title card
at the National Park on May 29, O’Neil wrested a unanimous decision
after a bruising encounter with American Kathy Rivers.
This
first world title won here, materialised three years after Andrew
“Sixhead” Lewis gave Guyana the country’s first world title on
February 17, 2001, when he knocked out American James Page in Las Vegas
to win the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title.
Then
in 2002, Wayne “Big Truck” Braithwaite won the country’s second
world title by stopping Italian Vincenzo Cantatore on October 11 in
Italy
About
a week later, Guyana got another world title when “Vicious” Vivian
Harris put away Diosbelys Hurtado in round two to claim the WBA Junior
Welterweight title in Houston, Texas, on October 19.
The
boxers were handsomely rewarded by the state for their outstanding feat
that placed the country firmly on the world map.
Sarwan
tops batting and bowling averages…
Remain
focused, just keep on batting
…President
Jagdeo
VICE captain Ramnaresh Sarwan headed the batting and bowling
averages for West Indies in the two-Test cricket series against
Bangladesh that ended on Monday.
Sarwan
paid a courtesy call on President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the
President, yesterday.
President
Jagdeo said: “Maintain your dedication, remain focused, just keep on
batting, the entire nation and West Indian cricket fans are behind your
progress.”
Sarwan
gathered 301 runs from two innings, including a Test and first-class
career-best 261 not out in the second and final Test in Jamaica, for an
average of 301.00.
“Your
marvelous innings in achieving the feat as the Guyanese with the highest
Test score was witnessed with tremendous pride. The entire Guyanese
nation joins me in extending wholehearted congratulations.”
The
23-year-old Sarwan snared eight wickets from 48 overs, including a Test
best four wickets for 37 runs in the opening Test in St. Lucia, for an
average of 13.12 runs apiece.
However,
Pedro Collins was the most successful West Indies bowler in the series.
The left-arm medium-fast bowler captured 14 wickets at 17.28 runs
apiece, including a Test best six for 53 in Jamaica.
Not
surprisingly, Habibul Bashar topped his side’s batting aggregates and
averages. The Bangladesh captain hit 235 runs from four innings at an
average of 58.75.
Mushfiqur
Rahman and Mohammad Rafique were the most successful Bangladesh bowlers
with four wickets each.
JUNE
10 2003
