Marena Martinez was among the local swimmers splashing to gold on the opening day of the Aquatic Sports Association of T&T (ASATT) National Long Course Championships at the National Aquatic Centre (NAC) in Balmain, Couva, on Thursday (May 14).
Martinez, a Laventille resident who recently copped a total of five medals in her third CARIFTA appearance, including gold in the girls 14-15 year-old Open Water event, was at her absolute best in the women’s 11 & Over 800 metres freestyle, touching the wall in time of nine minutes and42.67 seconds. The Marlins swimmer finished a distance ahead of second-place clubmate Zahara Anthony, the Marlins swimmer who clocked 10:31.78 for the silver, while Rae Toni Yates completed the top three in 10:32.17.
Isaiah Alexander, another Marlins swimmer, grabbed gold in the men’s equivalent when he stopped the clock well ahead of his closest challenger, Zion Applewhaite, in 9:37.55. Despite their rising talent, the two clubmates have been close rivals. On Thursday, however, they set aside their friendship for just under ten minutes. Applewhaite stormed home in 9:47.62 to claim the silver, while Jadon Ramdeen of RWB Aquatic Academy secured the bronze in 9:51.47.
Meanwhile, Maya Preudhomme of Barbados claimed the top spot in a one-two Bajan finish in the girls 10 & Under 200m freestyle final. Preudhomme delivered a commanding victory in 2:55.16, making her the lone swimmer to dip under the three-minute mark. Her compatriot, Lillie-Belle Balkissoon, took silver in 3:03.60, while Marlins’ Sarai Best clocked 3:07.33 to earn the bronze.
In the boys 10 & Under 200m event, Jesse Robertson stood out in a field of nine swimmers. His time of 2:53.37 propelled him to the top of the podium, well ahead of Yuri Son Lee, who took second in 3:06.45, and Nathan Brathwaite, who placed third in 3:07.98. The pair of Khairi Antoine (3:08.52) and Amin Elsherbiny (3:08.93) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Chloe Woodley also joined the winner's circle, leaving the field in her wake to capture gold in the girls 10 & Under 100m breaststroke final with a time of 1:43.94. Jonna Alleyne secured the silver in 1:47.13, while Preudhomme claimed her second medal of the night, taking the bronze in 1:49.93.
Son Lee later redeemed himself, capturing his first gold of the evening in the boys 10 & Under 100m breaststroke final. The rising talent touched the wall in 1:53.25, with Elsherbiny (1:53.54) and Giovanni McAlphin (1:54.29) sealing second and third place, respectively.
