Rising Star - Shemar Wallace

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lifestyle

Friday, 30 November 2012 02:33

By Nicole Shirley

Antigua St. John's - At just 12 years old he is already familiar with the sweet taste of victory, having basked in its thrill many times over.
The exploits of this pint-sized lad started eight years ago.

Like one born for this purpose (distance running), Shemar Wallace has grown in leaps and bounds since his first outing, when he succeeded in sending his parents and many spectators into a state of disbelief. He ran the entire distance from Hawkins Drive to King George V Grounds when he was only four years old.

The youngster hinted that there was more in his ’tank’ after that first race. “I wasn’t tired and I felt I could have run some more,” he said.

To date, the longest distance he has covered is 13 miles. Incidentally, in this race he was named the youngest ever to enter and finish, his time being two hours and 18 minutes.

Shemar has represented Antigua & Barbuda in Anguilla on six occasions, running in the 5- and 10k events, and dominating the former for four consecutive years. At age ten he graduated to the 10k version, placing in the top three each time he participated.

He speaks quite fondly of competing on that Island (Anguilla), and lists his repeat triumph in the 5k as his most memorable outings. His most recent feat was the November 18 Red Cross 5k,  where he took top honours in the under-13 category.

Wallace has been a member of the Roots Athletic Sports Club since 2005 and is coached by Oswald Baptiste. To be in optimum form for his discipline, he trains approximately two hours daily, feeds on a fruit- and vegetable-rich diet, eats less red meat and drinks plenty of water and milk.

His medal count currently stands at 23, while he also boasts of being the holder of 13 trophies and two plaques. The latter were given him on consolation grounds for his participation in the 13-mile Jonathan Rowe Tinman race.

Shemar names Usain Bolt as the athlete he is most motivated by, with Bezunesh Bkele and Haile Gebrselassie being his favourite distance runners.

He is currently a first form student at the Antigua Grammar School and hopes to make a successful career from athletics, while his dream of being a medical doctor remains very close to his heart.

His main fans, parents Sharon Cain and Hopeton Wallace, are hoping that their son -- who they refer to as ‘Bebeto’ -- will make the qualifying time for the 2020 Olympic Games.

“He would have been old enough to try for the 2016 Games, but we are not sure what will happen. Anyway, four years later he will be more mature, so I am hoping and praying that I will have the joy of watching him bring home the first distance gold medal for the Caribbean,” his mother said.
 
There are several others who are watching the growth of young Wallace, often referring to him as ‘lionheart’. They are also harbouring hope, much like that of his parents, that he will represent the nation on the highest stage ... bagging gold.

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