media_artricles :: 2016

Best of Stewart still to come—Wayne

'His best is yet to come.' These were the words of an ecstatic Wayne Stewart, father of the 2016 Paralympics gold medallist in the javelin F43 Akeem Stewart, who spoke to us yesterday, after his son, not only secured the win, but set a new world record with a distance of 57.32 metres on Friday night.

The Lowlands, Tobago super athlete broke the record twice on his way to victory, a feat that emerged from hardwork and dedication, as well as vexation from treatment he received at the Paralympics Athletics Championship in Doha Qatar last year, his father said.

Though equipped with the ability to break the record anytime he takes the pitch, the young Stewart had hardly reached close to the pitch, when World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) officials stuck needles into his veins, taking an unimagineable three vials of blood from him, instead of one.

In relating the experience, the senior Stewart said the actions of the officials raised concerns by those who witnessed it and called for the intervention of an Attorney and doctor to protect the confused T&T athlete.

"I felt as though they came to shatter my son's chances at the championship as these tests were done before the competition had started" Wayne said.

"I was annoyed and so too was Akeem. I told myself once everything is fair, I knew he would produce a thunderous performance which he did on Friday night," Wayne told the Sunday Guardian.

Needless to say, Akeem was hardly disturbed by the antics of the WADA officials and went on to smash the world record by tossing the javelin 54.77 metres. Still he felt undone at the games, knowing his appetite for success was as that of a growing child.

At 24, Akeem trains daily, under coach Wade Franklyn and his father, anxious to be the best in the world in the throwing events.

They did not have the use of the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, which has been under repairs for the past years, so the senior Stewart said he had to cast a shot put circle for him in the backyard of his Lowlands home for Akeem to train.

"But for discuss and javelin we had to go down to Shaw Park for sessions, which didn't bother Akeem as he was disciplined and ready to work hard at anytime"

Akeem's achievement Friday came as no surprise to his father, who said he actually expected his son to do better. "I knew he would have done well because I am aware of the ability he has. I think Akeem is still to produce his best performance, either at the Paralympics or after, so keep your eyes on him. I await to see how he will perform at next Friday's discuss event" Wayne said.

Upon Akeem's achievement, the senior Stewart was immediately contacted by Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith to congratulate him.

Smith who was at the commissioning of the National Tennis Centre when he got the news last evening, said "We are tremendously proud of Akeem, becoming the first man to medal at the Paralympic Games for T&T and doing so with record throws.

Akeem is a gifted athlete and worthy ambassador for Paralympic sport. He has distinguished himself among the world's best in the throwing events and in doing so, positions T&T as a force to be reckoned with.

We congratulate Akeem on his achievement and look forward to what he will produce in his favoured discus event next week."

Akeem will be going after a qualifying spot at the regular Olympics, after falling short of a qualifying berth for Rio de Janeiro by a mere 19 centimetres in the discuss.

"He intends to really work hard for the rest of this year and the coming years with Hong Kong 20-20 in mind." His throw of 20.03 metres at the Zenith Games recorded another national record for Akeem but was not enough to seal a place in Brazil.

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