Ceili Peterson wins historic Bronze to secure Guyana’s 1st Medal at Centennial CAC Games

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (July 26, 2026) – Guyana’s Ceili Peterson etched her name into the nation’s sporting history on Sunday by capturing the bronze medal in the Women’s Under-49kg Taekwondo competition at the XXV Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, earning Guyana’s first medal of the Centennial Games.

Peterson delivered a composed and determined performance to defeat Venezuela’s Yulienny Pedraza by a 2-0 margin in the bronze medal contest, securing a well-deserved place on the podium.

The Guyanese taekwondo athlete, who was one of the flag bearers along with Archery’s Devin Premaul, displayed tremendous resilience throughout the competition. Following a hard-fought 2-0 semifinal defeat to Colombia’s Andrea Ramírez, Peterson regrouped impressively and responded with a dominant performance in the bronze medal match to earn Guyana’s first podium finish in Santo Domingo.

Her achievement was celebrated by an enthusiastic Team Guyana delegation led by Chef de Mission Keniesha Headley, Coach Carlos Amezcua Blanco, and fellow athletes and officials, whose unwavering support echoed throughout the competition venue.

President of the Guyana Olympic Association, Godfrey Munroe, praised Peterson’s achievement and the work of the entire taekwondo programme.

“Ceili has demonstrated tremendous courage, resilience and determination in winning Guyana’s first medal of these Games. To rebound from a difficult semifinal defeat and produce such a commanding performance in the bronze medal contest speaks volumes about her character and competitive spirit. On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Guyana Olympic Association and the people of Guyana, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Ceili, Coach Carlos Amezcua Blanco, and everyone who has contributed to this outstanding achievement. This medal is a proud moment for Guyana and provides tremendous inspiration for the rest of Team Guyana as competition continues.”

Chef de Mission Keniesha Headley also commended Peterson’s performance and the unity displayed by the Guyanese delegation.

“Ceili competed with tremendous heart and determination. Every member of Team Guyana rallied behind her, and her opportunity stand on the podium as our country’s first medallist of these Games was a truly special moment. We are incredibly proud of her achievement and look forward to supporting the remainder of our athletes throughout the Games.”

Peterson’s bronze medal provides an excellent start to Guyana’s campaign at the Centennial CAC Games, where the nation’s athletes continue to compete across several sporting disciplines.

Peterson reflected on her achievement with gratitude while remaining focused on her long-term ambitions.

“I am truly elated to have won the bronze medal for Guyana. While my ultimate goal was to win the gold, I am grateful to have earned a place on the podium and to bring home Guyana’s first medal of these Games. This medal is a testament to the hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering support of my family, friends, Coach Carlos Amezcua Blanco, my sponsors, the Guyana Olympic Association, and everyone who has believed in me throughout this journey.

This is only the beginning. My eyes are firmly set on winning more medals for Guyana and ultimately qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, and my ultimate dream is to win Guyana’s first Olympic gold medal. Today’s result gives me even greater motivation to continue working hard, improving every day, and pursuing that goal with everything I have.”

Coach Carlos Amezcua Blanco praised Peterson’s performance, describing her as one of the most dedicated athletes he has had the privilege of coaching.

“Ceili is a wonderful athlete to work with. She is disciplined, hardworking, dedicated, and always eager to learn. One of her greatest strengths is that she is a very quick learner and is constantly looking for ways to improve. I am extremely happy that we were able to come to these Games and secure a medal for Guyana. This achievement is the result of months of commitment, sacrifice, and teamwork.

Of course, there are still many areas we need to improve, and we know there is much more work ahead of us. But Ceili’s consistent progress and her willingness to learn give me great confidence in what she can achieve in the future. This bronze medal is an important milestone, but I truly believe it is only the beginning of what will be a very successful journey. We will continue working towards even bigger goals, including qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.”

The Guyana Olympic Association congratulates Ceili Peterson on her historic accomplishment and wishes all members of Team Guyana continued success as they proudly represent the Golden Arrowhead in Santo Domingo.