Guyanese middleweight boxer Rayon O’Neil was thrown from the medal hunt at the 2003 Pan American Games when he lost on points to a Puerto Rican opponent in Santo Domingo Friday night.

Terrence Poole, manager/coach of the boxing team said that O’Neil lost by a 18-10 margin in a fight he (Poole) considered close. “I felt that it could have gone either way. It was a close fight,” Poole said.

According to Poole, there were no knock downs or standing eight counts throughout the contest. Guyana’s quest for medals will continue today when swimmer Onan Thom takes to the pool.

Thom will compete in the 100 metres breast stroke preliminary and on Friday compete in the 50 metres free style.

On Thursday the weight- lifters go into action. William Langford participates in the 77 kilos category while one day later Shondell King competes in the 69 -kilos division.

Meanwhile, Allian Pompey and Marian Burnette, the two locals to win medals at the games left for the USA yesterday. Poole disclosed that Pompey departed yesterday morning while Burnette left in the afternoon.

Both athletes captured bronze medals. Burnette snatched the first medal for Guyana in the 800 metres finals while Pompey, the Commonwealth champion placed third in the 400 metres. (Steve Ninvalle)