The Jamaica Defence Force's Lance Corporal Phillip Edwards, cools off after finishing 31st from a field of 2000 in a 42km marathon at the World Military Games in Catania, Sicily, Italy. - Contributed JAMAICAN SOLDIERS are already preparing for the next Military World Games after making their mark at that event held in Catania, Sicily, Italy recently.
They competed in a 42 kilometres marathon and boxing and returned home with a bronze medal earned from the latter.
Over 2,000 runners started the marathon and Lance Corporal Phillip Edwards impressed by finishing 31st from the field in a time of 2:34.02, bettering his personal best of 2:38.12 in a local marathon. Edwards has participated in local marathons.
BOXING
In boxing, heavyweight fighter Lance Corporal Omar Gavin took home the bronze medal, but his training partner, Lance Corporal David Linton, was not as fortunate. He was eliminated in the first round of his lightweight fight.
They will be back for sure and hoping for even greater success.
"The event was by every indication a success. The Jamaica mission participated in boxing and athletics this year but we have plans to compete in more events at the next staging (2007)," said Major Shane Lawrence who headed the eight-man delegation.
Private Hurly Stewart, Edwards, Gavin and Linton were the athletes. The officials were Major (ret.) Trevor Martin, Warrants officers (class two) Lawrence Bailey, Barrington Graham and Lawrence.
