SPORTS SECTION E
THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2026
JAZZ - PAGE 19
Avian Pride conquers the Warren Seymour Classic
Bahamian chess phenom becomes first player to secure place in the Bahamas National Chess Championships !"#$%&'()'&# !*++%,(./0123#-45.67#+345.63. jburrows@ tribunemedia.net
BAHAMIAN chess phenom Avian Pride is the first player to secure a place in the 2026 Bahamas National Chess Championships.
BAHAMIAN chess phenom Avian Pride became the first player to secure a place in the 2026 Bahamas National Chess Championships after winning the Warren Seymour Classic, the opening event in the Bahamas Chess Federation’s national qualifying series. Pride finished atop the standings with 4.5 points from five rounds, edging a competitive field that included several members of the Bahamas’ 2026 Chess Olympiad team. His victory earned him the first qualifying spot available through the federation’s championship pathway. Candidate master Byron Small also booked his place in the national
championships after finishing second with four points. Sohan Umesh matched Small’s total but settled for third place after tiebreaks were applied. Olympiad team member Philip Hanna Jr claimed fourth place with 3.5 points, while William Davis rounded out the top five with the same score. Beyond determining the first national championship qualifiers, the tournament served as an important tune-up event for players preparing to represent The Bahamas on the international stage. Several members of the country’s 2026 Chess Olympiad team used the competition to gain valuable over the board experience as preparations continue for upcoming international assignments. Among those competing were Pride, Small, Hanna, woman candidate master Chika Pride and Diana
Williams, all members of the national Olympiad squad. The event also highlighted the federation’s youth development efforts. Avian Pride and WCM Chika Pride are the only junior players currently named to the 2026 Olympiad team. This is a sign of the progress being made in developing young Bahamian players capable of competing at the highest level nationally. The Warren Seymour Classic opened the Bahamas Chess Federation’s 2026 tournament calendar and marked the first step on the road to the Bahamas National Chess Championships. Federation officials said the event showcased the depth of local talent while providing meaningful competition for players pursuing national titles and international representation.
Players from across Bahamas prepare to compete in Andre Rodgers National Baseball Championships !"#$%&'()'&# !*++%,(./0123#-45.67#+345.63. !"#$$%&'( )$*"#+,-,.*/0+,) THE Bahamas Baseball Association’s premier youth event returns this week as players from across the country prepare to compete in the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Championships. The four-day tournament, scheduled for June 18-21 in New Providence, will feature competition in seven divisions ranging from 6U T-Ball to 20U and provide a stage for many of the country’s top young players to showcase their abilities before national team selectors and visiting scouts. Bahamas Baseball Association president Clarence “CJ” McKenzie said the championships remain an
important evaluation tool for the federation as it continues to build national teams at various age levels. “This tournament gives most of our top players the chance to show their skills not only to the BBA for national team selections, but also for foreign scouts in search of future college and professional talents,” McKenzie said. “BBA is taking notes of how the leagues are developing the young players especially. There’s still room for improvements and BBA is doing the best we can to assist.” Teams will compete in the 6U T-Ball, 8U Coach Pitch, 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 20U divisions in what is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of baseball talent in The Bahamas this year. McKenzie said fans can also expect intense
competition throughout the tournament. “There are so much rivalries throughout the divisions, so spectators will certainly see some great baseball action,” he said. The championships are named after Bahamian baseball legend Andre Rodgers, who became the first Bahamian to play Major League Baseball when he debuted with the New York Giants in 1957. Rodgers went on to enjoy a 13-year major league career and remains one of the most influential figures in the history of Bahamian sports. Tournament director Tommy Stubbs, who is serving in the role for a second consecutive year, said preparations have once again involved baseball stakeholders from throughout the country.
Lyles runs world-best 14.67 seconds to win 150 metres at Golden Spike meet OSTRAVA, Czech Republic (AP) — Olympic gold medallist Noah Lyles set the world best time in the rarely contested 150 metres at the Golden Spike meet on Tuesday. The U.S. sprinter clocked 14.67 seconds to beat a field of runners including Australia’s teenage sprint sensation Gout Gout. Lyles, who won the 100 at the
Paris Olympics and is fourtime world champion in the 200, capitalised on a fast start before using his speed to cruise to the finish line. He beat the previous best set by Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson at 14.92 in April at Miramar, Florida. Sinesipho Dambile of South Africa placed second in 14.78 and 18-year-old Gout was third in 14.96.
Gout set the under-20 world record in the 200 — a time faster than Usain Bolt’s best at that age — in winning the open Australian title in 19.67 seconds in April. The young Australian has spent time training with Lyles and had earmarked the rarely-raced 150 as a chance to go headto-head with the champion American.
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“I’m pleased to accept the role as tournament director for the second year,” Stubbs said. “It’s a pleasure to work along with some of the most dedicated people in baseball spanning leagues throughout The Bahamas,
including officials,” he added. Stubbs said the younger age groups traditionally provide some of the tournament’s most exciting moments. “The excitement by spectators at all levels of
play, especially in 8U and 10U competition, is usually unmatched,” he said. “I encourage relatives, friends and others to attend this tournament for one or more days where future professionals are made,” said Stubbs.