WILLEMSTAD – Athletes from Curaçao have made their mark across multiple disciplines at the South American Youth Games in Panama, highlighted by a strong start from the island’s U17 baseball team and mixed performances in other sports.
The baseball team opened the tournament on Monday with an impressive 7-2 victory over Argentina. After a steady start, Curaçao took control of the game, supported by a home run from Nasir Jean Mansour El-Ossaïs and solid pitching.
However, the team was unable to maintain its winning streak in the second match on Tuesday, falling 7-4 to Brazil despite a late comeback effort that included a three-run home run by Rayshelnon Ogenia. The team now looks ahead to its next matchup against Peru.
In tennis, Curaçao’s players competed in both singles and doubles on Monday but were unable to secure victories. Emilia Tedder, Keziah Fluonia, and Brandon Bridgewater all lost their singles matches, while the women’s doubles team also fell short. The competition continues with upcoming matches against opponents from Uruguay and Peru.
On the athletics track, Giovanni Abath Jr. finished eleventh in the 100 meters on Wednesday, recording a time of 11.48 seconds. He is scheduled to compete again later this week in the 200 meters.
The South American Youth Games are a multi-sport event for athletes aged 14 to 17 from across the region. Organized by the Organización Deportiva Suramericana, the games were first held in Lima, Peru, in 2013 and take place every four years, serving as a precursor to the Youth Olympic Games.