GUYANA started the Pan Am Games Qualifier in fine style when both members of its boxing team recorded victories on Sunday in Panama.
Lightweight Steffon Gouveia defeated Canadian opponent Jag Seehra 13-11 while junior welterweight Bert Braithwaite won against Johnny Gabriel Baccino Val of Uruguay 18-16.
The victories have pushed the Guyanese into today’s quarter-finals. Braithwaite, a member of the GDF gym, will fight Yoelvis Hernandez of Venezuela. Gouveia, who fights out of the Harpy Eagles gym in Albouystown, will face Wellington Arias of Dominican Republic for a chance at a medal.
The two were from an original team of six selected by the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association to attend the Games but lack of funding forced its trimming.
GABA Technical Director Terrence Poole is the coach attached to the team in Panama.