SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – Nikoli Blackman captured Trinidad and Tobago’s first gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games on Tuesday night when he swam to victory in the men’s 50m freestyle.
Nikoli Blackman won gold in the men’s 50m freestyle at the Central American and Caribbean Games.Competing at the Juan Pablo Duarte Aquatic Center, Blackman, a student at the University of Tennessee, recovered from having the slowest reaction time to storm to victory out of lane four in 21.98 seconds.
Jorge Otaiza of Venezuela copped silver in a time of 22.42, while hometown boy Javier Nunez claimed the bronze medal in 22.46 seconds.
T&T’s Dylan Carter, the winner in 2023, barely missed out on a medal, finishing fourth in 22.61.
Earlier in the morning session, Blackman was the fastest qualifier overall after he raced to victory in heat four in 22.23 seconds, with Honduran Gabriel Martinez second in 22.63, and Suriname’s Ismael Holtuin third in 22.80.
Cyclist Kwesi Browne claimed his first individual bronze medal, and second in two days when he placed third in the men’s sprint.
The 32-year-old Browne outclassed Guadeloupe’s Matthias Sylvanise in two straight rides in their best-of-three bronze medal contest.
