Evan Ralph is new Stick-fighting king

Stick-fighting champion Evan Ralph celebrates with other members of the Talparo Gayelle shortly after he was crowned “King of the Rock” on Wednesday night. Photos: Rishi Ragoonath

Evan Ralph is the new stick-fighting “King of the Rock.” Ralph, of the Talparo Gayelle, got the better of six other opponents to capture first place honours which carried with it a $13,000 purse.

Second place and $8,500 went to the 2008 champion Anthony Bineal from the Longdenville Gayelle while the $5,500 third prize went to Nigel Jones of Gran Couva. The National Stick-fighting championships, organised by the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, the National Carnival Commission and the Regional Carnival Committee, was held before a large crowd at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre, on Wednesday night.

LEFT: This spectator had to seek medical attention after he was struck by a bois which slipped out of the hand of stickman Evon Ralph during one of the fights.

The event, which started shortly after 8 pm, also featured bouts between the Talparo, Longdenville, Princes Town and Gran Chemin gayelles for the title of champion gayelle. Three members of each gayelle squared off against each other in individual three-minute competition to decide which gayelle was more superior. The first battle was between members of the Longdenville and Gran Chemin gayelles while the other featured Talparo and Princes Town.

The title, which carried with it $16,000, was won by the Longdenville gayelle in a hard-fought battle with members of Talparo. Talparo took the second prize of $8,500 while the Princes Town gayelle copped the $5,500 third prize.
CORI BAYNES
Also read this.