1998 Reggae Boyz inspire UK-based Jamaican weightlifter
Published:Friday | April 9, 2021 | 12:14 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
For national weightlifter James Daley, the opportunity to compete for Jamaica at the upcoming Pan American Weightlifting Championships represents the fulfilment of a lifelong dream of being able to don the national colours competitively.
Daley, along with Omarie Mears and Sientje Henderson, will be the trio of Jamaican representatives competing in the tournament, which is slated for April 17-24 in the Dominican Republic.
The event also serves as a qualifier for the rescheduled Olympic Games, which start in July. All three athletes are based overseas, with Daley and Mears residing in the United Kingdom (UK), while Henderson currently lives in the United States.
Daley said that he was inspired by the historic 1998 World Cup-qualifying campaign of the national senior football team while growing up and since then, had a desire to one day represent the nation of his heritage.
“’Excited’ is not the word, this is a dream come true. When I was a young boy, I dreamed of playing for the Reggae Boyz after watching the 1998 World Cup. I finally found my sport of Olympic weightlifting in my 20s and my long-term goal was to represent Jamaica,” Daley told The Gleaner.
Preparations have not been smooth because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to Daley, with restrictions in the UK resulting in a lack of time in the gym. However, he says that despite the limitations, he is excited for the challenge ahead.
“Training has been a real challenge during the lockdown period. Gyms have been closed in the UK for long periods, but I have managed to train through rain and snow,” Daley said. “My training numbers have been on the rise despite the conditions, and I’m looking forward to delivering on the platform.”
It is a platform that he and his teammates hope will bring local exposure to the sport and to the Jamaica Weightlifting Federation (JWF), which launched in January 2020.
While he says that the pandemic has thwarted plans for potential sessions on the island, Daley believes that the team’s participation and performance will go a long way in elevating its profile as well as attracting local talent.
“We have assembled an excellent team for the Pan American Championships and are all in great condition coming into the competition. I believe we will have a great showing and spike the interest in Jamaica,” Daley said. “COVID-19 has slowed our plans to get to train and deliver sessions in Jamaica, but I believe the competition will promote the sport and help with awareness across the country. Thanks to Mark (Bloomfield), our Weightlifting (Federation) president, we have managed to restart the JWF, and now we have the honour to represent our country and inspire potential young (athletes).”