Determined swimmer Shanntol Ince ready for Rio

This is a major international multi-sport event governed by the International Paralympic Committee involving differently- abled athletes around the world.

One of the major and probably the most inspirational representatives from Trinidad and Tobago in this year’s event is Paralympics swimmer Shanntol Ince.

Ince is a truly determined athlete who trains for hours six days a week and simply never gives up. Ince, who started swimming at the age of four, said she currently has mixed feelings about the event but is mostly excited to represent Trinidad and Tobago again at this level. “Swimming is something that I love and enjoy and continue to do,” she added.

Although Ince enjoys swimming and has achieved a lot in the sport since she started, there were many obstacles that she had to face and eventually overcome.

In the beginning many persons doubted her by creating a lot of limits based on her physical appearance.

There were also financial difficulties in terms of getting sponsorship support and proper coaching.

Coming all the way from Claxton Bay to train in St James was also a challenge for her, also staying healthy and getting the right foods and nutrients.

Although she faced these challenges she remains thankful that she was able to overcome them.

“I thank Jesus for all that he has done for me and helping me overcome these obstacles,” she pointed out.

She is also thankful for the support of her family who worked around her schedule to help her achieve her dreams.

She is also grateful for all the support and sponsorship she is getting from British Petroleum of Trinidad and Tobago (bpTT ) who were also her first sponsors in 2012. In 2014 Ince sustained an injury and bpTT ensured that she got the opportunity to go to Texas, United States to do a training assessment to see how things were.

This year she is involved in the Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago’s RBC(TT ) community outreach program where she is getting the opportunity to share her world with them and see what it is like to be a part of the RBC family and marketing team.

Getting this opportunity to meet, learn and grow with this establishment Ince says has inspired her to keep going and push pass all the obstacles that she faces.

One of those current obstacles are the expectations.

When asked about her expectations Ince added, “ I am going to give my all.” Ince is hoping to do a lot better than she did in the last Paralympics.

She believes she has many competitors this year. Ince said, “it is important to keep a level head and remember all the hard work that I put in to go in as confident and do as best as I possibly can going into the meet.”