The reigning Sportsman-of-the-Year was recently announced as the male flag bearer for Guyana’s contingent at the upcoming Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games. The 24th edition of the Games is scheduled for June 23 to July 8 in El Salvador and the Dominican Republic.
The slick light heavyweight who recently wrapped up a 10-day high level training camp here with pugilists from Barbados ahead of the Games, said yesterday that he was privileged to have such an honour bestowed upon him and will throw his best punches forward at the event.
“I have never been a flag bearer for Guyana before, so it is an amazing feeling for me, I am happy and I am excited for such an honor” said Amsterdam who represented Guyana at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.
“I must say thank you to the Guyana Olympic Association for selecting me, it is truly an honor” Amsterdam added. Table tennis player, Natalie Cummings, will be the female flag bearer for Guyana at the Games.
Amsterdam then gave an update on his current status.
“My conditioning is coming good, everything is going well so far. I am feeling great and I am ready to go, Guyana will have good results.”
The orthodox puncher nicknamed ‘Dynamite’ added that he is ready to detonate at the Games in order to place him closer on the road to realizing his dream of representing the Golden Arrowhead at the Olympic Games next year in Paris, France.
“My aim for this CAC Games is to make it to the gold medal round and qualify for the Pan American Games. From there, the goal is to go to the next level, the Olympic Games. Once I make it to the gold medal round at the Pan Am, I would be going to Paris for the Olympic Games.”
Amsterdam is ready to carry the Golden Arrowhead and climb the top podium step for the gold medal.
Notes: Team Guyana’s 52-athlete contingent will represent the nation in 10 disciplines at CAC. They are Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Fencing, Hockey, Swimming, Table Tennis and Weightlifting. Hockey will be the only discipline that will compete in the Dominican Republic. A total of 37 sports will be staged at the tournament.
