Over the last 12 months, the Cayman community has witnessed some of the islands’ greatest moments in sports, as well as arguably the most gruesome situation in recent memory.
The Cayman Compass has put together our list of the top 10 sporting moments from noteworthy performances, spanning from the Olympics and Guinness record books entries, to a shooting during a domestic football match that left the community in shock.
1 Fastest swimmer on the planet
Topping the Compass’ list is Jordan Crooks’ world record breaking performances in Budapest.
Crooks, 22, in December captured his second world championship title for Cayman and shattered two world records in the process, to become the fastest 50-metre swimmer ever.
There is no question that his swimming at the 2024 World Championships was the sporting greatest achievement Cayman has seen.
2 Jordan Crooks at the Olympics
If Crooks didn’t capture world records, perhaps his performance at the Olympics this year would’ve topped this list, but being second to himself is only fitting. When Crooks swam the Olympic final, it’s fair to say nearly everyone at home and work held a watch party to see the mega star do Cayman proud against the very best.
It was a razor-thin margin between a podium place and the 50-metre freestyle blocks for Crooks who swam an historic race, becoming the first Caymanian swimmer in an Olympic final and the eighth fastest swimmer in the world on that day.
Crooks finished in Paris just .08 of a second outside of bronze. It was a race that united Cayman like never seen before in recent memory, with crowds flocking to watch parties, waving flags and sporting their Cayman colours to show their support.
3 Mass shooting at football game
Though Crooks’ Olympic final and his World Championship performance are heady days Cayman won’t soon forget, the same can be said of what transpired on 25 Feb. – but for all the wrong reasons
Seven people were injured after a gunman opened fire during a Cayman Islands Premier League football match between Elite and Academy at the Ed Bush Stadium on that day – the first mass shooting recorded in Cayman’s history.
Following the horrific incident, many were left traumatised, including Academy’s coach Virgil Seymour, who decided to relinquish his role on the sidelines after “bullets whistled” by his head during the shooting.
4 Football triumph in World Cup qualifiers
2024 proved to be an extremely successful year for the national Cayman Islands men’s football team.
Cayman’s last-minute goal secures historic World Cup qualifier victory
The team recently earned an historic promotion to League B in the CONCACAF Nations League, but the biggest moment for the men, no doubt, came in June, when a last-minute header by Joshwa Campbell secured Cayman’s first ever victory in a World Cup qualifying fixture.
It was a day football fans celebrated with pride, either while watching their TV screens, or as spectators at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex where they showered the Cayman squad with praise for their heroic efforts.
5 Swimming becoming national sport?
Though not confirmed yet, when the news broke that the Ministry of Sports was planning to make swimming the official national sport for the Cayman Islands, it prompted a large reaction from the local sporting community.
Such a move would mean swimming was being recognised as the standard for which all sports on island would be judged, and more efforts to accommodate aquatic athletes and the association would be made.
The primary focus was on the multi-million dollar aquatic centre for which Cabinet waived the requirement for planning permission and gave the green light for the facility to begin construction.
6 Cayman cricketers play among the greatest
The Caribbean Max 60 cricket series launched in Grand Cayman earlier this year, with a mix of all-time greats, seasoned franchise players, and a handful of Cayman Islands players, who got their first taste of a pro environment.
Aussie cricket star David Warner hails ‘exciting’ T10 games in Cayman
The Cayman players were grateful to play among cricket stars like England’s Alex Hales and Australia’s David Warner at the Jimmy Powell Oval.
The T10 tournament was one of the biggest cricket competitions Cayman has ever held and a repeat event looks set for 2025.
7 Historic swim around Little Cayman
Sydne Didier tested herself in September, swimming 24 miles, encountering everything from jellyfish to sharks, and nearing dehydration, in the waters off Little Cayman, to spread awareness of climate change.
Didier, 53, from Massachusetts, pushed her body to its limits with a small crew who steered her to finish the 23.88 miles in 14 hours and 15 minutes around Little Cayman – the first person to complete the route.
Her remarkable swim has left her wanting to make more history, with hopes of a return on the cards.
8 First Commonwealth gold in karate for Cayman
While Cayman has enjoyed many firsts in team and individual sports over the last 12 months, Nick Young stands out, having won a Commonwealth gold medal in karate.
The Caymanian claimed a gold medal at the Commonwealth Karate Federation 2024 Club Championships – the first time in the nation’s history that an athlete won gold in that sport.
In fact, outside of youth competition, Young was one of only four individual medalists for Cayman at a Commonwealth-sanctioned event, and one of two athletes to win gold – the other being Cydonie Mothersille at the 2010 games.
9 Cayman brothers tie Guinness record
Cayman rugby took 2024 by storm, having arguably the largest crowd in recent memory during the ‘Big Game X’ to having the largest number of siblings in history play in a rugby union international match.
Cayman brothers tie Guinness record for most siblings in a rugby match
The Westin family rugby dynasty in the Cayman Islands has been well documented, but now their prowess in the sport has led to tying a Guinness world record.
Five Westin brothers (Matthew, 23; Paul, 29; Edward, 33; Joseph, 37; and Shane, 40) in May played a test match against Bermuda at which they contributed to a 44-12 victory, but they also tied the Guinness world record for most siblings.
10 Caymanian boxer strikes championship in England
Amateur boxer Christopher Hurlston won the Yorkshire Novice title earlier this year, making him the first Caymanian in history to ever hold the belt.
Christopher Hurlston punches his way to monumental title win
Hurlston’s victory also marks the first time in over a decade that a boxer from Cayman held an amateur title.
Since then, he went on to rack up more wins and decided to transition into the professional rankings, with hopes of making his pro debut in early 2025.
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Jordan Crooks is without a doubt the Cayman standout athlete ever on the world scene with his performances in Budapest. However the Compass has me confused describing Jordan as the fastest ever over 50 meters, yet in an earlier article referring to Caleb Dressel’s 50 meter record of 17.63. Can we ger clarification, which I believe is Jordan’s being in a 25 meter pool and Caleb’s in a 50 meter pool.