THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has named Keevin Allicock, Shakquain James, Emmanuel Pompey and Akeelah Vancooten to represent Guyana at the 13th South American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from September 12 to 26, giving the quartet another opportunity to compete internationally after missing the Commonwealth Games.
The selection comes after the boxers were all denied the opportunity to compete at last month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, despite travelling with the Guyana delegation and preparing to enter the ring.
The boxers were rendered ineligible after mandatory once-in-a-lifetime genetic sex test results were not returned before the competition began.
The requirement stems from World Boxing’s recently introduced Sex Eligibility Policy, under which all competitors aged 18 and older must undergo a PCR genetic test to verify their biological birth sex before competing in sanctioned events.
The test detects the SRY gene, which identifies the presence of Y-chromosome genetic material. Under the policy, athletes determined to be male at birth are eligible for the men’s category, while those determined to be female at birth may compete in the women’s division.
GBA President Steve Ninvalle said sending the four boxers to Argentina fulfils a commitment made following the disappointment in Glasgow.
“We’re happy that boxers are getting a chance to compete after not being able to do so at the Commonwealth Games,” Ninvalle said.
He said the association had promised the athletes another opportunity to represent Guyana at the next major event, and the South American Games now provide that platform.
The group will once again be under the guidance of National Coach Lennox Daniels and, according to Ninvalle, have remained focused on their preparations since returning from Scotland.
The GBA is hoping the boxers can continue Guyana’s strong tradition at the South American Games, which have been held every four years since 1978.
Boxing has consistently contributed to Guyana’s medal tally at the Games.
At the 2022 edition in Asunción, Paraguay, Allicock won bronze in the 57kg division, while Desmond Amsterdam claimed bronze at 80kg. Their medals, alongside Nicolette Fernandes’ silver in women’s squash singles, accounted for Guyana’s three medals at those Games.
The 2018 edition in Cochabamba, Bolivia, also saw boxing produce two bronze medals, with Allicock earning another third-place finish, then in the 56kg category, while Collin Lewis took bronze at 64kg.
Guyana finished that edition with five medals, with Leslain Baird’s silver in the javelin, while Winston George and Jenea McCammon claimed bronze in the men’s 400m and women’s 100m hurdles, respectively.
