History was made when siblings Ahijah and Kezia Blunt of St Martin’s Mangrove both advanced to the finals of the individual boys’ and girls’ competition of the Cave Shepherd/Berger Paints/A One Supermarkets National Primary Schools Road Tennis Championships yesterday at Rubis Courts, Brighton.
Ahijah will face the talented Azarie Clarke of St Stephen’s Primary while his sister Kezia will take on Eboni Atherley of George Lamming Primary in next Wednesday’s title matches.
Ahijah’s confidence, along with his cool demeanour paved the way for him to dish out a 21-9 sow to Keshon Walrond in the first round. After gaining a bye in the Round of 16, he defeated St Judes’ Shamari Greenidge-Lewis 21-10 in the quarter-finals before ousting Blackman and Gollop’s Nathan King in the semi-finals.
King had earlier given a good performance, destroying Kairos Greaves of Sharon Primary 21-13 during the first round; beating Eagle Hall’s Omari Sobers 21-16 in the Round of 16 and Jaihare Williams 21-10 in the quarter finals.
However, King somehow forgot to bank on the skills grasped from his idol Antonio “Lil Man” Daniel when he made a number of errors.
He managed to prevent a sow when he made some good smashes but that fight kicked in a bit too late as Blunt wrapped up the match 21-11.
Clarke defeated Naja Codrington 21-14, before trouncing Jalon Howell of Bay Primary 21-8 and Kaniel Risbrook of Ellerton, 21-14.
Kenan “The Hulk” Ollivierre proved himself as one to watch after sharing out three sows during the Zone 2 team competition.
However, the tables were turned for Clarke and he defeated Ollivierre 21-12 in the semi-final.
Among the girls, seven-year-old Kezia sowed Jada Prescod of Luther Thorne 21-8 before beating the experienced Solange Holford 21-19 in a hard fought semi-final while Atherley defeated one of St Giles’ track queens, J’Nia Edward, 21-12 and edged St Stephen’s Abilla Clarke Toners’ 22-20. (RG)