Bonner & Webb cop Ochi beach volleyball event

OCHO RIOS, Jamaica, October 18, 2012 - Jamaica’s number one male beach volleyball pair of Gatasheu Bonner and Ryck Webb came away winners of the "Ochi Beach Vibz" beach volleyball competition staged by the Jamaica Volleyball Association (JaVA) on Heroes' Day at the UDC Beach in Ocho Rios.

Bonner and Webb defeated Kevin Williams and Omar Williams, 23-21 , 21-12, in the final.

In the female section, Kai Wright and Shedeiky Hamilton-Barnes renewed rivalry with Nardrake Hutchinson and Tsahai Williams and eventually came away winners, 25-23, 18-21, 15-13.

Third place in the male division went to Adrian Ramdeen and Omar Wilson, while Donovan Richards and Jay-Jude Johnson placed fourth. Hadijah Spence and Ashley Smith placed third in the female division, while Tracey-Ann Bonner and Camille Irving claimed fourth.

Eleven male and 10 female teams took part in the one-day competition. The competition was sponsored by Sunset Jamaica Grande, Jamaica Blue Spring Water, Yummy Bakery and Just Bet, who provided the winners through to the fourth place teams with rewards of cash and prizes valued at approximately $100,000.

"The event was a resounding success when examined from the perspective of the number of spectators and the number of new teams from across the island that entered the competition.

"I believe these two factors combine to the benefit of our sponsors as it increases their opportunity for the exposure of their products," said JaVA's Public Relations Officer Jadalee Passley.

Major Warrenton Dixon, president of JaVA, said they are seriously examining the possibility of hosting a major international beach volleyball competition and that two of the important considerations would be accommodation, meals and a large enough venue.

"A partnership with UDC and Sunset Jamaica Grande would make the hosting of such an event essentially certain," noted Dixon.

That event would see the participation of approximately 200 players and officials from all the major beach volleyball- playing nations in all continents.

Dixon also said there were several other planning considerations JaVA was deliberating so a final decision is still some way away.