Cave, D’Anjou to represent Guyana at IMMAF World Championships after US Lab mishap

Guyana will have only two representatives at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championships after a mix up with the team’s blood samples at a US lab.

Ijaz Cave and Corwin D’Anjou will be the only two representatives for Guyana at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championships, which is set for January 24 – 29 in Abu Dhabi.

D’Anjou will compete in the Men’s Welterweight (77.1kg) division, while Cave will be fighting in the Men’s Light Heavyweight (93kg) category.

The initial team of six that was slated to compete had included Webster McRae, Akeem Fraser, Christopher James and John Campayne.

However, as Executive member, Dr Sawan Jagnarain explained, following a mishap in several important test that had to be done overseas, they will be left behind.

According to Dr Jagnarain, the GMMAF had solicited the services of a lab in the United States of America, since some of the required testing of the athletes that are mandatory by the IMMAF, could not have been facilitated in Guyana.

MMA fighters are all required to provide proof that they are free of bloodborne viruses to compete. These test check for viruses such as Hepatitis and HIV.

Dr Jagnarain said the athletes blood samples were done and sent in December but up to crunch time, the Lab related that they had encountered some technical difficulty and only two of the samples were done, being that of Cave and D’Anjou.

“This is a major blow to all the work the athletes had put in,”

a livid GYMMAF president, Gavin Singh highlighted.

Guyana will be the only country from the Caribbean present in the UAE, given the fact that Trinidad and Tobago had to withdraw after their representatives recently tested positive for COVID-19.

The athletes also paid a courtesy call to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr.