Nyota Peters fourth after seven events
By Michael DaSilva
Stabroek News
December 7, 2002
Track and Field athlete Nyota Peters is currently placed fourth after four of seven events, in the heptathlon of the 19th Central American and Caribbean Games, currently underway in El Salvador.
According to reports from El Salvador, Peters who is making her debut as a heptathlon athlete is currently on 2711 points, 387 points behind the leader, Yudith Mendez of the Dominican Republic.
F. Mazanillo also of the Dominican Republic is placed second with 3008 points, while L. Valldeperas of El Salvador is third with 2842 points.
Peters placed 5th in the 100-metre, returning 15.94 seconds for 722 points. The event was won by Mendez in 14.46 seconds.
In the 200-metre, Peters placed 4th in 26.15 seconds. Mendez won the race in 24.91 seconds, while Mazanillo finished second in 25.05 seconds.
The multi-talented athlete - Peters - was second in the high jump, recording 1.63 metres in the event which was won by El Salvador's Maria Carrillo (1.66 metres).
In the shot-put event, Peters placed fifth with a throw of 8.54 metres. Mendez again dominated the event with a throw of 11.42 metres.
The local was billed to contest the long jump, 100-metre hurdle and the 800-metre last evening, and according to Amateur Athletic Association of Guyana's (AAA) president Claude Blackmoore, Peters was expected to improve her points by leaps and bounds.
Blackmoorer opined that Peters' pet event is the long jump, and she should do extremely well in the hurdles, since she is a very good high and long jumper.
Blackmoore said the AAA will be hoping that Peters secure a medal since she is making her debut in this event and winning a medal will inspire her to go on to greater things as a heptathlon athlete.
According to Blackmoore, Peters was identified by Canadian coach Daniel St. Hillaire who is the director of the High Altitude Centre in Montreal Canada for this event.
Blackmoore said St. Hillaire is currently working towards getting Peters to Canada for a three-month stint.
"Whatever she gets we (AAA) will be contented" Blackmoore reasoned.
