[www.inewsguyana.com] – The successful South American Youth championship team paid a courtesy call to the Ministry of Sport where they were congratulated on their exceptional performances.
Jason Yaw won gold for Guyana in the boy’s 400 metres as well as breaking the games’ record which now stands at 46.79s while Natricia Hooper won silver in a time of 55.06s.
During the courtesy call, Yaw expressed his heartening moment of the championships.
“It felt great, I’m accustomed to breaking records but the best part was standing on the podium and hearing the national anthem,” the 6’3” quarter-miler related.
Hooper on the other hand, while happy about her silver medal, counted the experience as a learning process.
“It felt great to get the silver, it was an eye opener to some of my weaknesses but I’m still a bit vexed that I didn’t win,” she noted.
Coach at the championships, Julian Edmonds, who happens to be the personal coach of both Yaw and Hooper was ecstatic for both athletes.
“I was happy for Guyana, for these young athletes… it was rewarding, Hooper had some hiccups with the language barrier but she did really great for her first international event.
“This is the first time I have seen Jason run at his full potential and it was pleasing, the President of the Brazilian Federation came personally to congratulate him,” Edmonds highlighted.
Meanwhile, Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony, in congratulating the athletes urged them to continue their “hard work” and to remain “disciplined”.
Anthony also revealed that the use of the track will be done on a “case by case basis” before it is officially opened.
