Suriname’s Marcelino Richaards (center) proudly sings his country’s national anthem after taking gold in the Boys 100 metre butterfly ahead of Guyana’s Nial Roberts (right) and Heneef Amatngalim (left) of Suriname. (Rawle Toney Photo)

Suriname on pace for swimming title

Suriname dominated day one of the Inter Guiana Games male and female swimming championships, winning all but one race when the event splashed off at the Castellani Pool yesterday.

The Dutch-speaking country amassed a total of 139 points and grabbed 21 medals (11 gold, 8 silver and 2 bronze) to lead French Guiana which has 72 points along with five medals (3 silver and 2 bronze) with host Guyana in the cellar with 70 points and ten medals (1 gold, 1 silver and 8 bronze).

Guyana’s eastern neighbours came out full of hype and from the sound of the first whistle at the platform, it was obvious that the other countries would be in for a long day.

Several IGG territorial records were broken during the Dutch invasion, with Chandel Domaso clocking 1:12.61s in the girls’ 100 metre backstroke to break Jannis Leims’ record of 1:13.50s which was set in 2006.

Jair Boerenveen of Suriname broke his 2006 record (1:04.80s) that he set in the boys’ 100 metre backstroke when he clocked 1:02.01s in front of French Guiana’s Roy Tairiaffe (1:03.70s) who also finished within the time.

Guyana’s wonder boy and Olympian Nial Roberts was just not good enough for the Surinamese, but he did manage to win his country’s lone gold medal when he pipped Jair Boerenveen (24.94s) for gold in the boys 50 metre free style, swimming 24.48s. He also equalled fellow Guyanese Orlando McRae’s record in the event.

Roberts had to deal with the power of Marcelino Richaards of Suriname who denied him a second gold when he beat the Guyanese in the 100 metre butterfly swimming 57.80s as compared to 58.61s by the Guyanese Olympian. The two though did manage to break the games’ 2006 record of 59.86s which was set by Joel Refos.

The host country’s other senior swimmers, Noelle Smith, and Henk and Allan Lowe were also not their usual selves as they all settled for bronze in their respective races.

However Smith who is no stranger to the games after taking part in Suriname last year, also won bronze in the 50 metre breaststroke, the 50 metre freestyle and the girls’ 200 metre medley relay.

But some positives did come out of a bad day for Guyana as debutante Soroya Simmons manage to take home a bronze in the girls 100 metre backstroke although none of the other newcomers to the team managed to get an individual medal.

The championship will continue today from 9.30 am and from looking at yesterday’s performances, it is expected to be a strong battle between French Guiana and Guyana for second place in both the male and female races.

Listed below are the points standings for the swimming championships.
Male

1. Suriname – 65 points

2. French Guiana – 39 points

3. Guyana – 36 points
Female

1. Suriname – 74 points

2. Guyana – 34 points

3. French Guiana – 33 points

Overall

1. Suriname – 139 points

2. French Guiana 72 points

3. Guyana 70 points