The St. Kitts-Nevis Times (SKN Times online) and Times Caribbean (Times Caribbean Online) continues the very popular Top Lists series with this years Top 33 list of St.Kitts-Nevis Sports persons of all times. The list follows the SKNTimes 40 most influential and Powerful Women 2016 which was released earlier this year in February .
The Top 30 list of Sports persons includes athletes from all the major sports including football, basketball, cricket as well as Track and Field, Golf, Netball, Boxing and even Bodybuilding. The list looks at sportsperson over the last 60 years.
Some of the more popular and iconic names on the list include Keith Kayamba Gumbs, Trevor Marty Huggins, Elquemedo Willett, George McMahon, Livingstone Sargeant and of course Kim Collins.
Some of the names may be considered controversial as some of the athletes’ historical on the field success are in one or two cases equaled or overshadowed by their off the field failures. However the SKN Times focused on the field of play success rather than the off the field failures.
Bertil Fox for example is currently in prison for a brutal double murder. However he is still considered by many Bodybuilding pundits, enthusiasts and experts as one of the best of all time in thee history of World Bodybuilding. He is also one of only 3 Kittitian and Nevisian athletes to win a World Title in their respective discipline. The other two are Livingstone Bramble who won the WBA World Lightweight Boxing Title and of course 2003 World 100m sprint Champion Kim Collins. Fox won the Mr. Universe title in 1978 and 1979.
Athletes Antoine Adams and Tameka Williams as well as Dane Rawlins and Romaine Sawyer are some of the younger sportsmen who are still very active and have much still to offer as far as their contribution to sports
The TOP 33 Greatest Sportspersons
1. Kim Collins (Athletics) – In 2003, he became the World Champion in the 100 m. His personal best is 9.93 seconds which he ran earlier this year at the age of 40 and becoming the fastest person ever over the age of 35. .Collins made his debut at a major championship at the 1997 World Championships, where he failed to qualify for the second round in the 100 m. He improved quickly, and at the 2000 Summer Olympics, he became the first athlete from St.Kitts-Nevis to qualify for an Olympic final, finishing 7th in the 100 m. The next year, Collins would win Saint Kitts-Nevis’ first World Championship medal, when he tied for the bronze medal in the 200 m.At the 2002 Commonwealth Games, he won his first major title. The 100 m at the 2003 World Championships became the biggest triumph of his career. With Olympic and World Champion . In a very close race, where the top four athletes finished within 0.02 seconds, Collins won and became the first World Champion from Saint Kitts and Nevis.
World 100m Champion 2003,
Commonwealth 100m Champion 2002 ,
200m World Championship Bronze medalist 2001 .
World Championship 200m Bronze Medallist 2005
World Indoor Championship 60m Silver Medalist 2006
World Indoor Championship 60m Silver Medalist 2008
World Championship 100m Bronze, 4 x 100m Bronze 2011
Only Sprinter in history to participate in 5 Olympic Games
2. Bertil Fox (Bodybuilding) – In spite of Mr. Foxes past indiscretions the fact remains he is one of only three Kittitian nationals to win a world title in any sporting discipline , former Mr Universe, Mr Olympia and Mr World. Fox won the 1969 Junior Mr. Britain at 18. He went on to win nearly every major bodybuilding contest outside of the IFBB, including the 1976 AAU Mr. World, the amateur 1977 NABBA Mr. Universe and the professional NABBA Mr. Universe in 1978 and 1979. Joe Weider sponsored Fox’s move to Los Angeles in 1981, and he competed in IFBB contests for the next 13 years. The late Bill Reynolds, then FLEX Magazine editor-in-chief, gave Fox the (now ironic) nickname “Brutal” for his high-volume and extremely heavy training. Fox placed second in two IFBB shows – the 1982 Night Of Champions and the 1983 Swiss Grand Prix (beating Lee Haney) and he finished fifth in the 1983 Mr. Olympia (his second of five Mr. Olympia appearances).
3. Livingstone Bramble (Boxing)- one of only three Kittitian nationals to win a world title in any sporting discipline, former world lightweight champion. He became the first world champion from Saint Kitts and Nevis. He was given a shot at a world title when the WBA pit him and Ray Mancini for the organization’s world Lightweight title on June 1, 1984. Despite the fact Bramble entered the ring sporting a record of 20 wins and only one loss, with thirteen knockouts, Mancini was widely expected to win,. Bramble cut Mancini in round one and went on to become the WBA world Lightweight champion by a fourteenth round knockout in Buffalo, New York.
4. Elqomuedo Willet (Cricket) was the first man from the Leeward Islands to play for West Indies when he made his debut as a 19-year-old against Australia in 1972-73. He took two wickets, and five in the next two Tests – including his best of 3 for 33 at Port-of-Spain. His inclusion in the West Indies side had a massive impact on cricket in the Caribbean’s smaller islands, where players had hitherto been ignored.He played in five Tests from 1973 to 1974. During New Zealand’s tour of the West Indies in 1972, Willet was considered the best of the many left-arm finger-spinners the New Zealanders faced.
5. Roy Gumbs (Boxing)- Is the former commonwealth middleweight boxing champion. Gumbs knocked out Glen Mcewan twice in the 13th round in 1982 to win his first title the BBBofC British middleweight title. He followed his British Titlle with a 5th round knockout of Ralph Hollet to win the vacant Commonwealth (British Empire) middleweight title . He followed up with a knockout of Hollet in the 4th round of the rematch which was held the following year. Roy fought Chong Hil Park in Souel South Korea in 1985 for the IBF super middleweight title in His career featured 26 wins with 21 knockouts.
6. Stuart Williams (Cricket/Football)-4th Nevisian test player as well as a former St.Kitts-Nevis national football team member. St.Kitts-Nevis’ most internationally acclaimed batsman. During his career he made one Test century of 128 and one ODI century of 105*, both against India. Williams is currently a member of the Coaching staff of the WICB West Indies Team.
7. Keith Authurton (Cricket)- 3rd Nevisian test player, once regarded as the best fielder in the world. A dashing left-hander and an outstanding cover fielder. A very good left-arm unorthodox bowler played in 33 Tests between July 1988 and August 1995 and continued playing in one day matches until May 1999. He was also a good bowler. He took three 4-wicket hauls in the shorter version of the game with a best of 4/31. In Tests he got two hundreds and eight fifties. He had a best of 157 not out against Australia, a knock with 16 fours and a six.
8. Trevor “Jimmy” Levine (golf)- Considered the best amateur golfer in the Caribbean for the past 15 plus year. Certainly the most outstanding player that the Eastern Caribbean has ever produced. Was chosen as the 2005 OECS Sports Personality of the year with an impressive golf season that included winning three tournaments and placing second in another three, as well as captaining the OECS golf team.
9. Keith “Kayamba” Gumbs (Football)- Kayamba has represented his country 123 times, scoring 47 goals in the process. He also played more than 150 games for Newtown United FC, scoring almost 200 goals. Kayamba is the only St.Kitts player to have won the Top scorer Award 6 consecutive years and Best striker Award 7 consecutive years. He currently plays as a striker for the Indonesia Super League side Sriwijaya FC. Due to extensive newspaper and media coverage, his arrival in Indonesia was met with much enthusiasm from the Singamania fans and he has proven a hugely popular player. Kayamba’s talent was spotted by the Newtown community, while he was attending the Newtown Primary School (now the Tucker/Clarke Primary School). His talent was monitored and nurtured as he moved on to the Basseterre Junior High (now the Washington Archibald High School) and then to the Basseterre Senior High where he finished his schooling. Kayamba played other different sports, including cricket and basketball. In his debut first division season in 1989, he was very successful helping Newtown to win the double (league and cup). He scored the most goals, was awarded best striker and Rookie of the year. His outstanding debut season earned him a called up to the National Senior team by the then head coach Alphonso ” Bridges” Bridgewater.
10. Derrick Parry (Cricket)- 2nd test player from Nevis and 10-derrick-parry-cricket arguably the best West Indian Off -Spin bowler ever. Played 12 tests with a career best 5 for 15 versus Australia.
11. Glen “Ghost’ Phillip (Basketball)- The First successful Basketball Scholarship Athlete from the federation. Played with Division 1 Quinnipiac College in Connecticut between 1991 and 1994. He hold scores of school records in blocked shots, rebounding and scoring. After returning to SKN after his successful college career Ghost captained the National St.Kitts-Nevis Basketball Team and established himself as one of the best players in the Caribbean region having won MVP Trophies in almost every tournament he played in including the OECS, Leeward Islands and Caricom Championships. He is the only St.Kitts—Nevis basketball player to be selected for an ALL Caricom Team that played College Teams from the US. Phillip took his success on the court to the political arena when he was elected in 2010 and became the Minister of Sports et al. Phillip currently coaches his hometown Club Challenegers Exodus.
12. Atiba Harris(football)- Harris played for St. Peters FC as a youngster, captaining them to the SKNFA Premier League Finals, and became the first player from St. Kitts to sign with a Spanish club when he signed in Spain with Cádiz in 2004-05. In 2006, he became the first St. Kitts player to sign with Major League Soccer. He signed with Salt Lake and scored 4 goals and recorded 1 assist in 12 starts. In December 2007, Harris Captain of the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Team and FC Dallas player, Atiba Harris in action for the Sugar Boyz against the Turks and Caicos Islands was traded to Chivas USA for a 3rd round pick in the 2008 SuperDraft. Chivas USA traded Harris to FC Dallas in exchange for Marcelo Saragosa, after making 42 appearances for Chivas scoring 5 goals and recorded 7 assists. Harris has played for the Saint Kitts and Nevis national team since 2003. He played in five of St. Kitts’ 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying games, and in its 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Belize on February 6, 2008.
13. Livingstone Sargeant (Cricket)-Is considered one of the best batsmen ever not to play for the West Indies team. His ferocious batting is legendary and many would argue that he is by far the best batsmen ever in the history of St.Kitts-Nevis cricket.
14. Victor Eddy (Cricket)- Missed selection to the WI team by a nose hair. Easily one of the best all-rounders in St.Kitts cricket history. Scored 5 centuries and 15 50’s as well as 44 wickets in a 59 match regional first class career that spanned 15 years between 1972 when he made his first class debut, to 1988.
15. Luther Kelly (Cricket)- arguably the best opening batsmen ever from the Leeward Islands. A prolific and ferocious batsman who toiled in the shadows of Greenidge and Haynes. Many argue that had it not been for Haynes and Greenidge, Kelly would have undoubtedly by a Test player. He played 47 first class matches between 1975 and 1990 with his highest score of 132.
16. Runarko Morton (Cricket)- One of 5 test players from the Federation. Has Played 15 tests, 56 ODI’s and 7 20/20 for the West Indies team. Has had a colorful career both on and off the field. Is considered the best Nevisian player of this generation. Morton died on 4 March 2012, when he lost control of the car he was driving along the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway, hitting a utility pole at Chase Village in Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago
17. Jill Musgrave(Netball)- one of the most feared Netballers in her time arguably the best netballer ever out of St.Kitts and Nevis.
18. “Marty”Huggins (Basketball)- the most prolific scorer in SKABA as well as LIBA history as well as one of the top 5 basketballers in LIBA history. Has been playing basketball at the national level for over 20 years and has been a part of every national team since 1985 both as a player and coach.
19. Leonard “Len” Harris(Cricket)- Arguably the best Kittitian batsman ever. Played 29 first class matches for the Combined Islands between 1958-1971 with a highest score of 105. An opening batsman for much of his career, and occasional bowler in his final seasons,played in West Indian first class cricket, as well as facing the MCC team, England and Australia during his career. He scored nearly 1,400 runs at 29.04, including a century, and taking 15 wickets at 19.46. He then went on to play lower-level cricket for St. Kitts until 1976, and helped create the first cricket academy in the Leeward Islands
20. Cess Podd (Football)- Kittitian born player who became a trailblazer for black footballers in England when he made his Bradford City debut in September 1970.A fullback with a good turn of speed, Ces went onto make 565 appearances for Bradford City – a club record. He also was the Technical Director for the St.Kitts National Football team during the late 90’s.
21. Noel Guishard (Cricket)- Considered one of the best all-rounders from St.Kitts. One of just a handful of players to score over 1500 runs and 140 wickets at the regional first class level. Made his first-class debut in 1979 and played his final first class match in 1992.
22. Diane Dunrod-Francis(Track)- for many years was ranked as one of the top 400m runner in the entire Caribbean and central America alongside the Legendary Ana Quirot. She is also the former record holder of of the NCAA Southeastern Conference’s indoor 400 meter record at 52.6 seconds.
23. Terrence “Fighting Hunks” Hunkins (Boxing)- Was one of the Caribbean’s top boxers for many years during the late 70’s and early 80’s. He fought throughout the region including Curacao, Aruba, the Virgin Islands and fought international in Ecuador where he lost a 12 round decision for the WBC Continental Americas welterweight title
24. Cresentia “Pipsin” O’flaherty (Netball)- Cresentia O’Flaherty was selected to the St Kitts-Nevis State Team which participated in the World Tournament held in Trinidad and Tobago in August 1979. She was selected to the West Indies Netball Team in 1988, and touring Australia as a member of that team in 1989 She also was selected as members of the OECS Netball Team and Cresentia O’Flaherty holding the position on Vice Captain of that same team which played competitive matches against Australia, Canada and England in the Caribbean in 1989. Cresentia was selected as Captain of the Leeward Island Netball Team that played against Australia in Antigua in 1990. She had the repeat honour of being selected for the second time to the West Indies Netball Team which toured the Caribbean and played matches in St Lucia, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua and Barbuda.
25. Tiandra Ponteen (Track and Field)- She won the 400 metres silver medal at the 2005 Central American and Caribbean Championships. She reached the semi-final at the 1999 World Youth Championships, the 2002 World Junior Championships (in 200 m), the 2004 Olympic Games, the 2005 World Championships and the 2009 World Championships. She also competed at the 2000 World Junior Championships, the 2008 Olympic Games and the 2010 World Indoor Championships without progressing from the first round. Her personal best times are 23.41 seconds in the 200 metres, achieved in April 2005 in Oxford; and 50.83 in the 400 metres, achieved in June 2005 in Sacramento. On the indoor track she has 23.24 seconds in the 200 metres, achieved in February 2006 in Fayetteville. She also holds the Saint Kitts record in the 4 x 100 metres relay, with 44.41 seconds achieved in July 2004 in Bogotá together with Carol Clarke, Nathandra John and Virgil Hodge.
26. Elvis “Pepe” Isaac (Football/Track)- arguably the most skillful footballer ever out of St.Kitts and the 1st to be invited to a professional team try out.
27. Winston Eddy (track and feild)- former OECS/Leewards Islands 100m and 200m record holder. Had a record 3 gold medals at the OECS Texaco championships held in St.Kitts in 1990.
28. Eric Haynes(Track and Field)- First Kittitian to win Carifta Gold in the 100m in 1987. Led the federation’s first Olympic Team in 1996 at the Atlanta Olympics. Held the National Record in the 100m for much of the late 80’s and early 90’s. See Video Clip below of the 1991 World Championships Preliminary Round Heat which features Eric Haynes of SKN who placed 4th behind Linford Christie of Great Britain
29. Desai Williams(Track and Field)- First Kittitian-born athlete to win an Olympic medal having won a bronze medal as a part of the Canadian 4 x 100m relay team at the 1984 Olympics. He was also a finalist at the infamous Seoul Olympics 100m final which was won by Ben Johnson and included Carl Lewis. Williams placed 6th in the race which at the time was the fastest 100m race in history.
30. George McMahon(Cricket)- long before Eddy and Harris there was George, arguably the best Kittitian batsman ever
31. Shirlon Williams (Cricket)- missed selection to the WI due to regional bias. Had an impressive 2 centuries and 4 – 50’s in a 29 match regional first class career that spanned a brief 6 years from 1979 to 1985.
32. Antoine Adams (Athletics)- Two Time Olympian and current National Record Holder in the 200m. Antoine is one of a very small hand full of SKN Athletes who runs professionally on the International Circuit. He was a member of the Historic SKN Bronze Medal team at the Daegu Worlds in 2011. He was the captain of Team SKN at the recent Rio Olympics.
33. Romain Sawyer (Football)- Considered the most skillful player on the current Sugar Boyz squad who are currently ranked #80 in the World. He plays as a midfielder for Championship club English Club Brentford in the English premier League .