media_artricles :: 2013

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Daniel leads TT CAC contingent

Three-time Olympian Roger Daniel will lead a six-member delegation to the 2014 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games qualifiers in Guatemala.

The one-week event, set to begin on Sunday, will be held at the Victor Manel Castellanos Range in Guatemala City. The qualifiers are being held for the first time ever.

Daniel, along with fellow Commonwealth Games medallist Rhodney Allen, recently ACOM Challenge bronze medallist Marsha Bullen-Jones, are all competing in the Pistol events and will be joined by Marlon Moses and Taran Deosaran, in the Rifle competition. The team will be managed by Robert Couri.

Daniel and Deosaran are former CAC gold medallists. The former was victorious at the 2002 Games in El Salvador as well as in 2010 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, Deosaran was crowned double champion in El Salvador.

The team will leave for Guatemala tomorrow.

Daniel warmed up for the qualifiers by dominating the Caribbean ACOM Challenge in Martinique over the Easter weekend, winning four gold medals. The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Sergeant copped the Standard pistol (559), Free pistol (192), 10m Pistol (198.3) and Central Pistol (577) events. Bullen-Jones was third in the Women’s 10m Pistol (163.6) and fourth in the Sport Finals (497).

The Olympic shooter revealed that the qualifiers are crucial for him.

“It will be like actual games we will be going in 2014 in Vera Cruz in Mexico. We will be meeting all contenders. It is important to go there well prepared and do what is expected, which is to qualify.”

Bullen-Jones said she used the ACOM Challenge to prepare her for Guatemala and will be aiming to qualify for Mexico. She said her ultimate goal is to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Additionally, Moses will be hoping to compete in his first CAC Games. The 29-year old, who has been shooting for approximately two years, has participated in several ISSF World Cups in Australia, South Korea and Germany. He also won the President’s Medal in 2007 before getting into competitive shooting.

Deosaran, who has been in the sport for 26 years, will be attempting to qualify for another CAC Games and calling for better ammunition to train and compete locally.

“Right now we have been using third/fourth grade equipment,” he said.

ACOM Challenge results

Marsha Bullen-Jones - bronze (10m Pistol 163.6 points); fourth (Sports Finals 497)

Roger Daniel - 4 gold - Standard Pistol (559); Free Pistol (192); 10m Pistol (198.3); Central Pistol (577).

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