Young athletes win medals in Honduras
The last time Belizean sporting representatives went to Honduras they returned with heads high, despite a heartbreaking 3-3 draw with Guatemala’s national football team. This time the venue proved even friendlier as our young athletes made their mark in regional competition.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
Over the weekend twenty-seven primary school athletes went to Honduras to take part in the seventh Central American Infant Championships in Tegucigalpa. They competed in twenty-nine of the thirty-four events, and according to their coach, Fred Evans, their performance was stellar.
Fred Evans, Coach
“If you go back you look at eight gold, eight silver, six bronze, that’s twenty-two medals. We won medals in twenty-two of the twenty-nine events that we entered. This is the best performance that we’ve had to date and I’m sure we are capable of doing better.”
Doing better meant shattering some old records–even ones belonging to Belizeans.
Fred Evans
“A number of records were broken. At least one of the records belonged to Jaheed Smith. We have two little boys that he himself has been referring to as little me. This is Javin Usher and Edgar August, both from St. Joseph. Both did extremely well, and Javin Usher broke the long jump record for his age group, which used to belong to Jaheed Smith.”
Javin Usher, Medallist
“I win gold and silver. I went into the 4×60 relay and long jump. This experience was exciting because I never known I was going to come in second over all. Didn’t know Belize was going to come in second.”
Edgar August, Medallist
“I went in three events, for sixty meters I came in first. For the relay I came in first and for the high jump I came in second. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I go to practice and Mr. Evans and Alex Evans help me. Alex helps me with high jump, Mr. Evans helps me with sixty metres and Miss Flowers help me in the relay.”
Jose Sanchez
“So when you grow up, you think you’ll represent Belize at the Olympics.”
Edgar August
“Yes sir.”
Raisa Staine got involved in sports only after her mother prompted her and in her first competition she won two medals.
Jose Sanchez
“This is the first time you went, what was that experience like?”
Raisa Staine, Medallist
“I wasn’t doing anything in the evening. She took me out to the track and I enjoyed my first few days so I decided to continue with it.”
Jose Sanchez
“So what’s your advice for girls who would like to get into track and field?”
Raisa Staine
“Just follow your mind and do what you think is best for you.”
Since Marion Jones won gold and displayed the Belizean flag, a lot of interest has been shown in track and field.
Fred Evans
“It has added something, but unfortunately it has not had the impact it could have. We have not really taken the advantage of the advent of Marion Jones, hopefully there still is a chance to do this. One of the things that would help is getting a new track. One of the ideas we have is to have Marion Jones be the patron of the championships when we host it next year.”
Reporting for News 5, Jose Sanchez.
In a letter faxed this morning to the young athletes, coaches, administrators and volunteers, Sports Ambassador Marion Jones congratulated all concerned and encouraged them to increase their efforts and build on this success.
