Paris Paralympics silver medallist Akeem Stewart will be seeking to capture the gold medal when he lines up in the men's discus F44 finals at the World Para Athletics Championships at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, India on Saturday.
Stewart tasted gold at the 2017 World Para-Athletic Championships in London, England, in the men's javelin and shot put (F44) and is looking to complete the throws treble in India.
"Previously, I won shot put and javelin (crowns) at the World (Para-Athletic) Championships. Discus is the only event I have not won a global title in so I am hoping to do my best there," said Stewart.
The Carnbee, Tobago resident also won gold at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the javelin and was second in the discus. At last year's Paris Paralympics, he copped silver in the discus as well.
His quest for gold in India has been challenging as father, Wayne Stewart and coach Wade Franklyn have both been battling with health issues.
"My season has been rough. I did not have my coach with me. After I came back from (the 2024 Paralympic Games in) Paris, he was ill. I am also facing some personal problems with dad, battling with his kidneys. He is showing improvement. This year has been a rough roller-coaster for me mentally," said Stewart.
Stewart, who attended Scarborough Secondary School, is heading to India with some good news as he has been able to train right at home after being unable to have access to the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet. "I would like to say a special thanks to the president of the T&T Paralympic Committee Sudhir Ramessar, for ensuring my own discus circle in my backyard. With one week of training for the 2025 season, I am looking forward to doing something great."
The 33-year-old told Guardian Media Sports as he departed for New Delhi, that his Paris Paralympic silver medal was for his ailing father.
"I dedicated that one (silver medal in Paris) to my dad. After coming off my first international medal after the COVID-19 pandemic (gold) at the Para Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile (in 2023), it was a big surprise to hear my father had this kidney problem."
Stewart, who won silver (boys' Under-20 discus) and bronze (boys' U-20 shot put) at the 2011 Carifta Games, said it was challenging keeping focused on competing in the French capital in the Paralympic Games last year.
He said, "Mentally, it was tough. Going out there and competing and always getting phone calls about my dad's condition. In Paris, I would say special thanks to (coach) Wade Franklyn and (physiotherapist) Mikey Reuben and the officials there; they kept me grounded and made sure I was able to free myself. Also, Mikey went out of his way to help me in training, retrieving my implements and that helped me out a lot."
Stewart is the lone T&T athlete competing at this year's World Para-Athletics Championships, which got underway on September 27 and ends on Sunday.
