Delayed but not denied: Stewart announces himself with 100m win

In capturing the Class Three boys’ 100 metres title, Herbert Morrison High’s Tavaine Stewart kept a promise he made to himself after missing last year’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletic Championships (Champs).

Stewart won Wednesday’s final in 11.03 seconds after having to wait for two years to compete at Champs. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 edition and an injury ruled him out for last year’s meet. He said that he was determined to make his mark and not let another year go by without proving himself on the big stage.

“No Champs in 2020 because of COVID-19, last year I injured my hip at the Western Championships. This year, I decided that I am not going to miss Champs for the third year in a row,” Stewart said. “So I came here and I showed them that the champion is here and he is ready for his high-school career.”

Even more surreal for him is the immense confidence placed in him by his teammates, which surpassed his own confidence.

“I wonder how it is possible that people can more faith in me more than how I have in myself and I just want to thank them for having faith in me,” Stewart said.

WORTHWHILE JOURNEY

His maiden Champs title was exactly how he envisioned and said the reward has made his long journey worthwhile.

“I have worked hard for this. I have reached home late at nights. Sometimes I could not get a ride to come home. It is very hard to reach home at 10 p.m in the nights and have homework to do, because you can’t forget your education,” Stewart said. “For me to come here, and winning this Champs title for Class Three, it’s a big feeling.”

Describing his head coach Claude Grant as one of the best in the island, Stewart said that the victory will go a far way for the school to get much-needed respect for their sprinting programme.

“It (100m victory) shows that we are here to win,” Stewart who will be hunting the sprint double today said.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com