The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) snared the Best Gym award and police officer, Dennis Thomas arrested the Best Boxer trophy when the curtain came down on this year’s National Open Championships on Sunday at the National Gymnasium.
Thomas, who represented Guyana at the World Amateur Boxing Championships (WABC) in Kazakhstan last month, unanimously defeated GDF’s Markember Pierre on Friday night, then KO’d William Hendricks in the first round on Sunday on his way to claiming the middleweight and best boxer award.
The pugilists of the GDF gym racked up 10 points in the two-day championships to earn the Best Gym trophy ahead of Republican and Police Boxing Gym that tallied four points each.
Light welterweight, Bert Braithwaite from GDF was declared the runner up best boxer after winning both of his bouts via the KO route. Braithwaite stopped Republican’s Clifton Graham in the first frame Friday then Aquincy Harvey on Sunday in the third and final round.
Another standout of the championships was light heavy, Desmond Amsterdam who was crowned a triple champion after a TKO victory over GDF’s Omar Charles in the second round.
Amsterdam was also the top performer in his division at the Novices and Intermediate championships.
Guyana’s other representative at the WABC; Imran Khan defeated Stephan Gouveia on points to earn the lightweight title of the championships after three punch filled rounds.
Eon Bancroft was declared the winner of the welterweight division after defeating his arch rival Ron Smith on points.
Republican’s Jason Barker (heavyweight) and Stephon Nedd (bantamweight) copped the top honours in their respective divisions.
Other categorical winners at the championships were Quincy Wright (55-59lbs), Isaiah Moore (70-74lbs), Kevon Mullings (75-79lbs), Timothy Evans (80-84lbs), Jamal Eastman (95-99lbs), Shaka Moore (105-109lbs) and Junior Henry (110-114lbs).
In excess of 40 combatants from gyms like the Forgotten Youth Foundation, Tiger Eye, Pocket Rocket, Rose Hall Jammers, Essequibo, Young Achievers, Harpy Eagles, GDF, Republican and Police engaged in fistic action on Friday and Sunday.
Boxers who excelled at the Open championships will also be selected to compete on the Champion-of-Champions card this weekend in Bartica.
