Roach aiming for CARIFTA shot put gold

Roach, who earned a silver medal in the Under- 18 girls shot put at the 2016 CARIFTA Games in Grenada, says her goal is to bring home gold this year. Roach said, “That is the plan definitely this year. I have a personal best I am trying to achieve.” Roach will be among 51 TT athletes competing at the 2017 CARIFTA Games in Curacao from Saturday to Monday. Roach says Borel encourages her to succeed in the sport. “Of course I look up to Cleopatra.

She always tells me to manage my time wisely because I have CXC this year and it is kind of a burden on me sometimes with training and CXC. She always encourages me and tells me everything is for a point in time and you will get through it, she is always there for support.” Roach says her father, who is paralysed, is also a motivation to her. “My family, my parents, my dad (inspires me) especially.

He is in a wheelchair, but he always faces different adversities and he always comes through. Whenever I am feeling discouraged I look at him and how he does not give up.

“He is a great role model especially for when you are feeling down about something, he never has a frown on his face, he is never upset or ask why, he just does what he has to do.” Roach likes the team’s chances this year. “I think we have a good team this year with a lot of talented athletes. I think this team could bring home a lot of medals because there are a lot of hard working and talented athletes on the team.” TT finished fifth on the medal standings last year with 14 medals (three gold, two silver, nine bronze).

Joshua St Clair, who will compete in the boys Under-20 400-metre and the 4x400m relay event, also believes the team will produce top results.

St Clair said, “This year’s team I think is focused and ready to bring back a lot of medals. I know that for sure, because this team is strong mentally and these athletes train very hard to make this CARIFTA team and I know we going to Curacao with a strong team.” St Clair is hoping to achieve a personal best of 45 seconds in the 400m event. “At this year’s CARIFTA I will like to get a personal best, without any injuries and have my head on to bring back a gold medal for Trinidad and Tobago.” St Clair expects top performances from Avindale Smith, Jerrod Elcock and Deleth Charles, while he is hoping for a number of podium finishes in the relay events. Top performances are also expected from Tyriq Horsford (boys Under-18 javelin) and Khalifa St Fort (girls Under-20 100m, 200m), who both won gold medals for TT last year.

Antonia Burton, a sprint and hurdles coach on the TT team is satisfied with the team’s progress. Burton said, “I think this year we have a very good team. I think the signs are encouraging especially after our Barbados Dual Meet. I think the attitude of the kids is different from some years past, and I think the nation could expect a better showing than 2016.”