media_artricles :: 2016

Akeem takes discus silver

AKEEM STEWART has done it again for Trinidad and Tobago, this time earning a silver medal in the men's discus throw F44 event at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, Brazil, yesterday.

The accomplishment was Stewart's second medal of the Games after he won gold in a new world record in the men's javelin F44 on September 9.

Stewart recorded a personal best in the event with a distance of 61.72 metres on his sixth and final throw. Earlier he recorded throws of 56.03m, 61.70m, 60.83m, 60.82m and 60.53m.

Winning gold and breaking the world record in the event was American David Blair with a top effort of 64.11m, while Dan Greaves of Great Britain claimed bronze with a 59.57m attempt.

Stewart's father Wayne, speaking from Tobago, was delighted with his son's performance despite his son having challenges leading up to the Games. "It is definitely exciting I feel a sense of accomplishment. I do not want to be to critical but three weeks before the Games he could not use the (discus) circle in the (Dwight Yorke) Stadium because they are doing repairs in the stadium.

Give track and field a home so we don't have to wait on Central Government. I am so happy you would not believe, we hype up and glad." Stewart (Wayne) is hoping his son is rewarded for his remarkable effort in Rio saying, "I strongly believe that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Tobago House of Assembly will do justice, they will do what they have to do. Everything is in their hands and they will fix up.

On behalf of my son I sincerely wish that the authorities in Trinidad and Tobago both the THA and Central Government reward him in a decent way, a nice way, in a way that he would not have to toil but he could continue to bring more glory to Trinidad and Tobago because the journey now start." Stewart (Wayne) said that the TT public drove his son to succeed.

"Thanks to Trinidad and Tobago for all the support. All the positive vibes give him the energy to drive." President of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee congratulated Stewart on his achievement and stated this is a breakthrough for Paralympics in TT .

"Great again and consistent," Lewis said while describing Akeem's feat, "Akeem really responded well to the pressure and he has earned his just reward. He has worked hard and he has come away from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games with a gold and a silver and he also would have fallen just short of qualifying for the Olympics.

It has been a tremendous achievement and I think in many ways it is a breakthrough for him and the sport of Paralympics in Trinidad and Tobago." Lewis wished TT athlete Nyoshia Cain the best today and thanked swimmer Shanntol Ince for her effort. "Best of wishes to Nyoshia Cain who is competing tomorrow (today) and I commend Shanntol Ince for her tremendous effort at the Games in the swimming discipline and for her contribution from what I understand in terms of supporting her teammates." Nyoshia Cain will represent TT in the women's T44 100m event today, while Ince competed in four swimming events at the Games.

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