They didn’t win, nevertheless it was a triumphant return for St Lucia’s Senior National Boxing team which placed second to French Guyana/Cayenne, at the Third Annual Creole Boxing Championships held over the weekend in Martinique.
`St Lucian boxers returned home Sunday afternoon with four gold medals, two silvers and two bronze. They finished behind French Guyana/Cayenne who took home six gold medals and one silver. Last year’s champions Guadeloupe finished in third place with four gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal.
The other participating countries were Antigua and Barbuda who placed fourth, host country Martinique (fifth) and Dominica (sixth).
St Lucia’s gold medal winners were: Alex Poyotte in the novice bantamweight division in his debut in the sport; Roni Samuel in the light welterweight cadet under -16 division stopping his Martinique opponent in the first round of their bout; dreadlocked Arthur Langilier who had the most impressive victory of the championships, knocking out the highly fancied Enrique Palcy (Martinique) in a middleweight contest.
Langilier’s power punching had Palcy sprawling to the ground. In an attempt to recover from an eight count, he fell flat again to the canvas on his face giving Langilier a sensational victory in only the fourth amateur bout of his career.
St Lucia’s other gold medal went to Dalton “The Hurricane” George in the lightweight division- his third consecutive gold medal at the Creole Boxing Championships.
Silver medals were awarded to Yanic Leon in the under-16 bantamweight division and Lyndell “The Russian” Marcellin in the light welterweight under-19 division.
Bronze medal went to debutant Leroy James in the under -19 featherweight division and Darius Cetoute in the senior open middle weight division.
Martinique feather weight champion in the under- 19 division Gregory Sexius, was named Boxer of the Tournament, while St Lucian referee Cecil Kerr was recognized as the tournament’s Best Referee.
Next year’s championships will be held in Cayenne /French Guyana, while St Lucia is expected to host the championships in 2013.
Manager of the team, Tennyson Glasgow, was very happy with the performance of the very young squad at the championships in Martinique.
After finishing third last year Glasgow said: “St Lucia did incredibly well this time around WITH a squad of eight boxers and five officials. We also got a new prize which they brought into the competition which is Best Referee which went to Cecil Kerr.”
Glasgow also praised the debutants on the squad who also received medals.
What’s next for the St Lucia Amateur Boxing Association? President David “Shakes” Christopher said: “Some of the outstanding young St Lucian boxers at the Creole Boxing Championships will soon be on their way to Kazakhstan, Russia, for the World Youth Boxing Championships.”
The three boxers taking part in this prestigious competition are Marcellin, Samuels and Keegan Mortley who was unable to compete at the Creole Boxing Championships on account of his graduation.
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