It was another busy year for T&T on the courts, as national junior squash and badminton players won titles at regional competitions, but sadly, the T&T tennis fraternity lost two of its devoted servants in 2015.
In 2015 the national tennis fraternity lost two of its valuable contributors in Ria Mark and Carlos Taylor.
Mark, known as the 'Caribbean Queen of Tennis' passed away on October 21 at age 75. Mark was the national women's singles champion on ten occasions during the 1960s and 1970s and medalled at the 1962 and 1968 Central American and Caribbean Games. Mark's late husband Ken was also involved in local tennis, serving as a national team manager, event organiser and administrator. Mark had an impact on the lives of many girls as she taught Physical Education at Bishop's Anstey High School in Port-of-Spain from 1966-2000 and taught tennis at St Augustine Girls' High School.
At her funeral service Mark was described as a dedicated mother, generous colleague and devoted worker.
On December 5, Taylor died after suffering a heart attack. He was 63. Taylor was a national tennis coach and umpire, who was described as a soldier in and out of uniform. Taylor, who was a member of the T&T Defence Force, coached tennis for numerous years and also served as an umpire at the Wimbledon and US Open Grand Slam tournaments. He inspired many children to get involved in tennis paying attention to discipline because of his military training. Taylor also worked with young adults at the T&T Civilian Conservation Corps, helping them improve their lives.
Guzman, Sinanan win badminton crowns
Senior badminton player Solangel Guzman and junior player Travis Sinanan won three titles combined for T&T at the Caribbean Regional Badminton Championships (CAREBACO) in Dominican Republic in August.
The unseeded Guzman did not let a tough draw prevent her from defending the women's singles title. She outlasted second seed Daigenis Saturria of Dominican Republic 21-9, 21-11 to win the final in convincing fashion. In the quarterfinals, Guzman defeated top seed Mariana Ugalde of Mexico 21-13, 11-21, 21-14.
Sinanan snatched gold in the boys singles Under-11 category, then teamed up with a Suriname player to cop the mixed doubles U-11 category. It was a successful tournament for team T&T led by the junior players. T&T took home 25 medals which included three gold, six silver and 19 bronze with Renaldo Sinanan, Will Lee, Brittney Mohammed, Jada Renales and Avril Plaza-Marcelle all winning multiple medals for T&T.
Ramasra retires
from squash
In June, eight-time men's national squash champion Colin Ramasra retired from the sport as the country's top player after representing T&T for 22 years.
Ramasra, who first represented T&T at age ten, said the motivation to compete was not there anymore.
Ramasra stated: "In the last few months, this year so far, I have felt very little desire and motivation to continue competing. Obviously squash is an extremely important part of my life, I am the person I am because of squash. However, I always knew at the back of my mind when that motivation and desire was not there anymore, it does not make sense competing because you are kind of just going through the motions. I can't do something halfway, it's either you do it 100 per cent or move on to other things."
Ramasra said he was proud to go out on top. "I'm 32 and I am able to retire as the number one player in the country." Ramasra also dominated the junior level, winning the national junior title for nine consecutive years from 1993 to 2001. Ramasra earned a career high world ranking in 2010, when he was ranked 148th.
Patrick wins U-19 Caribbean squash title
Shortly after Ramasra announced his retirement national junior squash player Nku Patrick showed that the future of T&T squash was in capable hands. In July at the Junior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Championships in Barbados, Patrick won the boys Under-19 squash title. He defeated Julian Jervis of Cayman Islands 11-9, 10-12, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6 in the final. Patrick's fitness was tested during the tournament as he also needed five sets to advance past the semifinals. He outlasted Guyanese Nyron Joseph 4-11, 11-1, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9.
