TrinidadandTobagoNews.com Reporters
January 04, 2009
Undefeated Trinidad and Tobago boxing champion, Giselle Salandy, died following a vehicular accident on the Beetham Highway, on the outskirts of Port of Spain, this morning, January 4th 2009. The 21 year old boxing sensation succumbed to her injuries at the Port of Spain General Hospital around 8.29 a.m. Reports state that Salandy was driving west into Port of Spain a little before 7 a.m. when she crashed into a concrete pillar upon reaching the National Petroleum (N.P.) overpass just before the Bhagwansingh turnoff. Miss Salandy and other occupant of the Toyota Yaris, national female footballer Tamar Watson were injured and both were rushed to hospital. Most recent reports indicate that Watson suffered two broken legs and is in a critical condition.
Salandy’s manager Boxu Potts reported that doctors at the medical facility tried everything possible to save her life but their attempts were futile.
Gary Hunt, the Minister of Sports described Salandy as an icon, a great contributor and a motivator. He also assured the public that the government of Trinidad and Tobago is prepared to pay for the boxer’s funeral.
Giselle Salandy receives the Chaconia Gold Medal in 2007
Born in Siparia on January 25, 1987 Salandy began boxing at the tender age of 11 under the tutelage of Kim Quashie and later Fitzroy Richards. Her exploits in the boxing ring brought great attention to the sport of boxing and earned her several awards including the Chaconia Gold Medal in 2007.
Giselle Salandy, T&T’s most successful female boxer, was the holder of eight international boxing titles including Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA), World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC) titles, which she successfully defended in her last fight. This fight, which took place on Boxing Day against Dominican Republic’s Yahaira Hernandez, took her professional record to 17 wins and zero losses.
Condolences continue to pour in as the public and persons who knew her personally remember her for her contributions to Trinidad and Tobago.
Jizelle Salandy’s Send-Off
Hundreds of people turned up to the St. Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church in La Romaine to remember and bid farewell to the World Boxing Champion Jizelle Salandy. They came in buses, maxis and cars from all over Trinidad to pay their last respects…
Click here for larger image
My mother cried for you Jizelle (Poem)
Official Condolences for Jizelle Salandy
January 06, 2009, Salandy’s body would be available for public viewing at 5 p.m. at Belgroves Funeral Home on Coffee Street, San Fernando. Family members will have private viewing from 4 pm.
The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday 7th January, 2008, at the St. Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church in La Romaine followed by an internment at the Fyzabad Cemetry.
Both the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago expressed their sympathy for the sudden passing of Boxing champion Jizelle Salandy. (Official Condolences for Jizelle Salandy)
A building to house abused children on Marriott Street, San Fernando will be named in her honour.
Footballer Watson critical after tragic accident
T&T’s US-based Women’s footballer Tamar Watson is warded at hospital after being involved in a tragic accident that took the life of this country’s world light middleweight champion Jizelle Salandy. Reports are that the former Real Dimension midfield player had broken both her legs and had sustained serious hip injuries. Watson, who turned 22 on Dec. 30, played for T&T at the Under 20 level and attends Shorter College, Georgia.
Boxing Sensation Jizelle Salandy’s Biography
Giselle Salandy fact file
Born: January 25, 1987
Govt to pay for Jizelle’s funeral
Warner sends condolences
T&T boxing queen Jizelle Salandy dies
Trinidad and Tobago boxing queen, Jizelle Salandy, died early this morning following a major vehicular accident. The car in which Salandy was travelling hit a pillar on the of the flyover on the Beetham Highway on the outskirts of Port of Spain.
Bitter-sweet memories
The sport of boxing was bitter and sweet for the year 2008. Bitter particularly for professional boxing and sweet in the mouths of the amateurs.
Salandy wins Boxing Day bout with Hernandez (video clip)
Salandy chalks up Victory #17
By Gregory Trujillo
Published: December 27th, 2008
The pretty face of T&T female boxer Jizelle Salandy was again left unscarred, as she chalked up her 17th straight win in the ring on Boxing Night at Jean Pierre Complex in Port of Spain. Before a small holiday crown that was one-third the size of when she won her world-record eight titles by beating German-based Karolina Lukasik in March, the energetic 21-year-old fighter stopped Yahada Hernandez of the Dominican Republic unanimously on points in her first title defence. While Salandy was never hit by any big bombs, she almost won the junior-middleweight fight on a knockout in the eighth round, as a determined Hernandez held on grimly to be saved by the bell. There were no knockdowns.
Salandy retains world boxing titles
Sunday, December 28 2008
TRINIDAD and Tobago’s Giselle Salandy repelled a spirited challenge from the Dominican Republic’s Yahaira Hernandez to retain her multiple light middleweight world boxing titles on Friday night.
This is truly UNBELIEVABLE! We have lost a great young female athlete, who was one of the more upstanding, ambitious and hardworking Trinis in our midst. It is too sad for words.
this is so sad i can’t believe it! R.I.P i have chills right now truly sadddddd.
Rest in peace Giselle… young life gone too soon.
Although I have never been a fan of boxing, Giselle inspired me to see the sport in a whole new light. When I heard of her death I prayed that it was only a senseless rumour. I never met her but I feel like I have lost a member of my own family. My heart goes out to her family and friends. I loved her indomitable spirit. May she rest in peace.
ohhhhh so soooooo sad this is truly sad I cant believe this news she was so young and ambitious she would be missed by many R.I.P 🙁
it is truly sad to hear that may she rest in peace
oh my, i could not believe it, when i heard about Giselle’s death it brought tears to my eyes, i’m still in shock. May she rest in peace.
This is so sad to here my condolences go out to her family.she will truly be missed.
When i heard the first report I really didnt think it was serious, I thought it was something minor like Richard thompson last week. but when they confirmed her death I was truly in shock. I keep remembering her face on the news boxing night when she won the match so jubilant. This is really sad and i extend condolences to her family especially her sister who just had a baby. I keep urging people to take their time on the road, the year has now started be cautious, athletes be careful.
this death is a shocking to all.rest in peace giselle and my condolence send out to the family
RIP Giselle. Condolences to friends, family and loved ones. T&T in mourning!
u were a true fan in boxing.R.I.P GISELLE
Extremely shocking news! Has saddened my day. Condolences to her relatives and friends. Trinidad and Tobago has lost one of its spirited, ambitious and talented young citizens. May her soul rest in peace.
It is a very sad time in the wake of any death. To see this young life lost to tragedy. Trinidad and Tobago will remember her forever. Condolences to the family.
I do not have all the facts and certainly wish to be sensitive to the family of this beautiful and courageous young lady at this moment of tragedy. However some good might emerge in Trinidad aka Little America, and our leaders finally decide to get tough on our traffic laws especially as it linked to alcohol consumption and driving in our country. If I am not mistaken , or recent Sports Man of the Year cousin Thompson ,got into a fender bender in the wee hours in the morning ,after returning from a raunchy party ? The Yankee press can give their celebrities such as John Travolta and his family a bye when it comes to possible drug abuse and questionable death to his kid , we in ‘rainbow country’ don’t have that luxury . Our population is a mere 1.3 million, America has that much in homeless alcoholics in New York alone, I am certain .
so tragic, RIP Giselle.
Hoping that the female national footballer comes out of her critical condition. Be careful on the roads people.
This is truely unbelievable, I am lost for words, however, a few came to mind, exceptional, focused, discipline and inspirational, just a few words which I think describes Giselle “Magic” Salandy. Magic may your soul Rest In Peace.
May you rest in peace,always admire you love from atlanta,georgia.
Truly another sad day in Trinidad and Tobago’s history…a a real icon she will always be remembered as our undefeated hero…my condolences to her friends and family..rest in peace..
its a shame to see talent like this go to waste ,i am very sorry for the loss . I spoke to one off her former coaches Wayne Lawson who was very sad and distraught over the matter , he is very sorry for the loss and sends his regards to the family and friends . It goes to show how short life can be and we can be taken at any time . She was a idol and inspiration to all the young and old people ,she will be missed and will be remembered for all time
Unbelievable. Trinidad and Tobago has truly lost a Sporting Hero. Ms. Salandy, you will be missed by many. Gone too Soon.
Gone too soon, but will not be forgotten.
I extend condolences to her family.
Rest in peace Giselle.
I was truly shocked to hear the new of Giselle’s passing this morning. She was so young and full of promise. No one knows when their end will come so we must use this beautiful girl’s death as a reminder of that. We can’t sweat the small stuff.
Life is indeed a mist…
R.I.P Giselle. 🙁
This is unbelievable! I still can not believe it, when I heard about Giselle’s death tears filled my eyes. I am still in shock. My heart goes out to her family. She has made a name for herself at such a young age. Let her memories live in your hearts. May she rest in peace.
This is really sad, she had it made for success. It’s sad to hear this news. I give my condolences to her family and close friends.
R.I.P. Giselle you will always be our Boxing Champion.
This is truely a sad day. I saw the accident but did not know it was her. You could not even tell what colour the car was – it was so mangled. R.I.P. …..
she was the greatest female boxer at the age 22. nothing could not have beat her sadly she lost to the one thing dat all of us will have to go in the ring and face…why!!! sorry to hear…rest in peace…honey… R.I.P GISELLE SALANDY….we will miss u dearly….
Trinidad and Tobago has lost yet another gifted icon.
Condolences to her family and friends, they will remain in my prayers. R.I.P. Champ
This thing we call life and the window of opportunity it allows us to look through lies solely in the hands of our Creator being opened and closed at his command.RIP Giselle….Your reputation goes before you.