The start of last year saw the emergence of para-athlete Akeem Stewart, who came up big in the track and field sport of shot put, with an impressive win in Medellin, Colombia at the Il Campeonato Paralimpico de Atletisimo Games, in November, with a throw of 17.49m, in his class.
Quiet and gentle, the Tobago resident went through a vigorous classification session in order to compete as a para-athlete for the first time in Colombia. Competition at the Para-Games is divided by the type and extent of the athlete's impairment.
This classification is determined by teams of medical and technical experts at specific games worldwide.
Being an F-43 athlete, this performance places Stewart less than one metre shy of the international Paralympic world record, a goal he has set his sights on as he moves toward more stringent competitions.
As the 2014 season began, Stewart has quietly continued to forge ahead on his journey to excellence. Competing in the open competition, he has shown his prowess on the field here at home.
He took top honours both at the Falcon Games, in April and again at the Twilight Games, last weekend, leaving little doubt about his talent, as well as his dedication, drive, commitment and passion for the sport.
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