Tobago
Newsday Reporter
The Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted the first Skip Challenge titled “Skip to My LUW” at the Sid Gray Multipurpose Complex last Sunday. His event was designed as a physical and mental motivation to lose unwanted weight (LUW). It started with a 5 minute endurance challenge.
Mount St. George’s Angel Davidson, 14, competing in the women’s category under the age of 25, was the only athlete to reach the five-minute limit without stopping. Loaf Smith of Mason Hall outperformed men under the age of 25.
Plymouth’s Keon Yorke outperformed his classmates in the male category over the age of 25, while Bethesda’s Marlyn Murray lasted longer than his female peers.
The CrossFit style category combined skip, push-ups, and intense running drills. Davidson easily completed a task in the women’s category and won the second title of the day. Richard Thomas of Roxborough won among the men.
Individual freestyle segments proved to be a highlight among the audience. Athletes had to combine at least four skip variations in 30 seconds.
Mount St. George’s Kelesia Love Race received the largest crowd approval among women, while Mount St. George’s Geron Jordan also stood out among men.
Davidson, the most impressive competitor of the day, said skipping was natural for her. “Skip is what I like. That’s what I do in my spare time,” she said.
“But I practiced a week before the competition. During the competition, I just got on the rhythm and everything became natural.”
The afternoon minutes featured a lively 30-minute aerobic exercise led by instructors Brendon Thompson and Dean Wright, and an acrobatic skipping skill by Trinidad and Tobago Skipping Rope Federation Isaia Stokes.
In her featured speech, THA’s Secretary of Health, Wellness and Social Protection, BYisrael, congratulated the Church and stated that religious groups are facilitating her work with such initiatives.
Rev. Richard Frederick, event coordinator and health director of the Tobago mission, said the event was an extension of the Zoom and Mini Aerobics Caravan held early in the pandemic.
He states:
“Since its formalization in 1863, the Church has delivered a strong health message through processes such as health food factories, hospitals, restaurants and lifestyle centers around the world.
“In line with Bible ideals, the Tobago Church community has promised to work with relevant stakeholder groups to promote health and well-being across all communities on the island.”
Four other events are planned throughout the year in various church zones, with the central zone scheduled for April 10.
Skip to LUW results.
Durability: U-25 Female: 1. Angel Davidson, 2. Areya Campbell, 3. Ariel Nichols.
Endurance U-25 Male: 1. Rophe Smith, 2. Justin Orr, 3. Miguel Phillips.
Endurance Women over 25: 1. Merlin Murray, 2. Christio’s Mondo-Sebro.
Endurance Men over 25: 1. Keon Yorke, 2. David Thomas, 3. Joel Lovelace.
Combo woman: 1. Angel Davidson, 2. Areya Campbell, 3. Roxanne Andrews.
Combo male: 1. David Thomas, 2. Richard Frederick, 3. Loaf Smith.
Individual Freestyle Women: Kerricia Lovelace
Individual Freestyle Men: Geron Jordan.
