Vincy Swimmers snatch 30 medals at BASA Invitational

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ top swim clubs, the Black Sands Swim Squad and the Blue Marlins Swim Club, copped a combined total of 30 medals at the 33rd edition of the Barbados Amateur Swimming Association’s (BASA) Invitational Championships.

Blue Marlins swim squad: front L-R Zoey May, Raya Adams, Zane Da Briel
Back L-R Hazen Da Briel, Skylar Byron, Belle Adams, Tayeah St Hilaire

Held at the Barbados Aquatic Centre, the championships took place from May 22-25, 2025.

When the pool was closed and the championships ended Black Sands had accounted for 19 of the medals won, with Blue Marlins pouching 11.

The top medallist for Black Sands was Kione De Shong who returned with eight gold medals, swimming in the Male 11-12 age category.

De Shong, the 2025 CARIFTA triple medal winner, won gold in the 50m and 100m Freestyle, Breaststroke and Butterfly, as well as the 50m Backstroke, and the 200m Individual Medley.

Another CARIFTA medallist and Black Sands swimmer, Kennice Greene who claimed six medals: one gold, two silver and three bronze, competing in the Female 15 to 17 age group.

Black Sands’ other medallist was Eltonique Leonard who won a gold and four bronze.

In addition to their medals, De Shong had eight personal best times, and established a new national record in the 50m Backstroke, while Greene reset the 200m Individual Medley national record.

For Blue Marlins, Zane Da Briel, Hazen Da Briel, Belle Adams and Zoey May, were their medallists.

Zane, competing in the Male 8 and Under age category, won a solitary bronze, but did three personal bests.

Zane’s elder sibling, Hazen, who swam in the Male 15 to 17 age group secured five medals- three silver and two bronze. Hazen also set new records in the 200m and 400 Freestyle, as well as the 200m Individual Medley.

Meanwhile, Adams competing in the Female 11-12 age group won five medals- three silver and two bronze, and set six personal best times.

May competing in the Female 9-10 age category gained a bronze to go along with five personal best times.

In addition to the three medallists, Black Sands was represented by a total of 11 swimmers, and Blue Marlins, by a 7 member squad.

The Championships featured more than 350 swimmers from 15 swim clubs from six Caribbean countries.