Vaughn strikes bronze in Brazil
...at South American Games
Michelle Vaughn
Stabroek News
August 3, 2002
Michelle Vaughn opened Guyana's account at the VII South American Games in Brazil with a bronze medal win on the opening day of competition, Thursday.
Reports from Brazil state that triple jumper Vaughn hopped, skipped and jumped 12:23m to record a bronze medal-winning performance for Guyana. Two Brazilians occupied the first two positions.
The other local athletes who were in action on the opening day, all failed to secure medals.
Competing in the men's 5000-metre final, Clevland Forde could only manage seventh place. He returned 15 minutes 46.71 seconds. The race which was contested after a fairly heavy shower of rain was won by Brazilian, Fernando Fernandes in a time of 14 minutes 36 seconds.
After qualifying for the men's 100-metre final with a 10.75 seconds semi-final second place run, Guyana's Keith Roberts could do no better than fourth in the final, where he returned 10.78 seconds.
The final was won by Churandy Martina of the Netherlands Antilles in a time of 10.46 seconds. Second and third place went to two Brazilians.
Like Roberts, Tai Payne had to settle for fourth in the men's 400-metre final where he clocked 48.35 seconds. The race was won by Luis Ambrosio of Brazil in a time of 46.41 seconds.
Payne, Forde, Vaughn and Roberts will be in action again tomorrow as competition continues in the state of Belem.
Payne will contest the 800-metre where his chances of winning a medal is good, while Forde will contest the 10,000-metre, Roberts the 200-metre and Vaughn the long jump.
Forde was doubtful of participating at the Games after his personal doctor Carl Max Hanoman had suggested he (Forde) take a rest from competition.
However, after conducting a series of tests, Dr. Hanoman gave the young athlete a clean bill of health.
Guyana is being represented at the Games by a 23-member contingent, comprising track athletes, swimmers, boxers and table tennis players.
Guyana Rugby Football Union's senior vice-president Noel Adonis is the Chef de Mission and Joseph Lee Lam the General Manager.
The Games are being held in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Belem and Curitiba.