Boys 11-12 age group competitor, Alessandro Bazzoni, left the 2025 Carifta Aquatic Championships in Trinidad as the country’s most decorated swimmer, after winning gold in the 400 meters freestyle on Tuesday at the National Aquatic Centre in Couva, Trinidad.
The gold medal, his third of the championships, lifted Bazzoni’s personal tally to six as Antigua and Barbuda ended the competition with 20 medals overall, 16 individual and four in the relays.
There was a medal as well for seasoned campaigner, Ellie Shaw on the final day of competition, as she claimed silver in the 100 meters breast stroke, taking her personal count to three for the championships.
Speaking with Observer media on his return to Antigua, Bazzoni said he was somewhat surprised with his own performance since he was limited by illness leading into the meet.
“Very unexpected but expected at the same time because I put in the work and I kind of had a little doubt in myself when I got sick for a little bit but then, I reeled it in at Carifta. I didn’t miss one day of training for Carifta until I got sick and missed two days. After I went back in the water I focused on the weak strokes and that got me much further than expected. It was fun; our team kept each other motivated and if someone was sad then everyone would comfort them so a lot of good vibes going around,” he said.
In addition, Bazzoni picked-up gold medals in the 200 meters butterfly and in the 400 meters individual medley. The young swimmer also picked up medals in the 200 meters individual medley with silver in that event; silver in the 200 meters freestyle and bronze in the 100 meters butterfly.
The medals continued to swim in for team Antigua and Barbuda with girls’ 13-14 competitor, Anya DeGannes claiming silver in the 200 meters butterfly and bronze in the 400 meters individual medley.
DeGannes, although happy with her performance, believes that with more pool time she could have done much better.
“It feels good but I definitely could have done better since I got gold in the two fly [events] last year but it’s fine. I just have to train better because I didn’t train hard enough for this meet,” she said.
There was a double win as well for Maddison MacMillan with silver in the 1500 meters freestyle final. Competing in the girls 15-17 age group, MacMillan got the ball rolling for Antigua and Barbuda at the games, winning the country’s first medal in the meet with bronze in the 800 meters freestyle.
The swimmer said that although she brought in the medals, she was aiming for a bit more.
“This one was a long ride for me and I am very proud of myself. I kept pushing through this meet but I didn’t really PB and I didn’t get the times I wanted but I am happy that I still had the right mindset to come home with some medals. I definitely have to improve my mindset as well as going in with positivity fully which I did do this year. Like I said, I am very proud of myself but I think I have to train harder, go into practice with a better mentality because that will give me the results I am looking for,” she said.
Competing in the girls’ 15-17 category, Shaw had earlier claimed silver in the 200 meters breast stroke while bringing home gold in the 50 meters breast stroke.
Meanwhile, Ethan Stubbs-Green, competing in the boys’ 15-17 age category, picked up double silver, finishing second in both the 100 and 200 meters butterfly. Aunjelique Liddie also got in on the action, claiming bronze in the girls 100 meters freestyle.
The team of Liddie, Shaw, Selah Wiltshire and Alandra Dublin brought home bronze in the 15-17 Girls 200 meters Freestyle Relay.
