The [British] Virgin Islands are the 2023 Champions of the Battle of the Fittest Tournament after beating rivals and defending champions Dominican Republic (DR) in a thrilling final in St Maarten on Saturday, July 22, 2023. Photo: Battle of the Fittest/Facebook

The MVP of the Battle of the Fittest Championship was Jahmai Jones (with ball) of the [British] Virgin Islands. Photo: Battle of the Fittest/Facebook

The VI, champions of the Battle of the Fittest for the 4th time, were coached by Ronald Simmonds aka Gola. Photo: Battle of the Fittest/Facebook

The [British] Virgin Islands took the grand prize of $10,000 for winning the 2023 Battle of the Fittest in St Maarten. Photo: Battle of the Fittest/Facebook

The game was a keenly contested affair that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Photo: Battle of the Fittest/Facebook

Players from the Virgin Islands console a dejected Dominican Republic player. Photo: Battle of the Fittest/Facebook

The Virgin Islands won 78-77 in front of a large pro-VI crowd at LB Scott Sports Auditorium to gain sweet revenge over the Dominican Republic who had dethroned them in 2019.

The game was a keenly contested affair that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

With the game even at 75-75 with 2:03 on the clock, good defense by the VI forced a shot clock violation by the Dominican Republic.

Thrilling last minutes of game

And with less than a minute to go in the game, Ray D. Victor made his way into the paint with the ball but sent it back out to Leslee J. Smith who fired from the 3-point arc to give VI a 3-point lead, 78-75.

The Dominican Republic would then improve the deficit to 1, 78-77.

A technical foul was then called on a DR player with 38 seconds on the clock and gave the VI an opportunity to add another point to the lead; however, Ray Victor missed the free throw.

With the DR having the last play of the game, but with a chance to still win, one of their players went for the clutch shot from distance but could only find the rim of the basket, much to the relief and ecstasy of the VI and their large group of supporters.

The MVP of the Tournament was Jahmai Jones of the [British] Virgin Islands.

The VI, champions of the Battle of the Fittest for the 4^th time, were coached by Ronald Simmonds aka Gola.