Local sports officials say Kyron’s world champs performance a ‘clear indication of greatness’

Local sporting officials have commended athletic sensation Kyron McMaster for his outstanding recent performance at the 2019 IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

McMaster finished fourth in the final of the men’s 400-metre hurdles event in a seasons best time of 48.10 seconds.

Sports Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley told BVI News that he witnessed the race and said the entire BVI is extremely proud of McMaster and his accomplishments.

“It was an incredibly beautiful moment for us to see that Kyron McMaster was among the world’s fastest in the 400-metre-hurdles and was competing fiercely and just narrowly missed a podium finish. I do think that he has the opportunity to even improve on what he has done so far,” the minister stated.

He also said McMaster’s achievements are even more impressive because he comes from a very small territory with far fewer resources than what his competitors have access to. 

“These will be persons who have access to all types of different human resources, nutritionists, trainers and different persons — all these different resources that a country can give to their athletes. The BVI does not have these kinds of the same resources to compete with these big countries. Kyron has done well given the resources that he has had at his disposal,” Dr Wheatley added.

Indication of greatness

President of the BVI Athletic Association Steve Augustine — who is currently at the games in Doha, Qatar — said McMaster ran a “hellacious” race.

“Though not quite what we had hope for, I still commend him on his performance. In the track and field world, the only meet that surpasses the accomplishments at World Championships is the Olympics. Competing against the best in the world is what the World Championships represents and to place fourth here is clearly an indication of greatness,” Augustine stated.

He also said he is looking forward to more outstanding performances from McMaster in 2020 as the 400-metre hurdles final in Doha was McMaster’s last race of this season.

“Members of the BVI Athletic Association holds no reservation in saying he represented the country well and fought a good fight. His 2019 season may have ended with this meet. But with a performance such as the one he did, I’m excited to see what awaits us at the 2020 Olympics,” the President added.

Big performances from Henry and Malone expected

Meanwhile, the focus will now be placed on long jumper Chantel Malone who was recently crowned the PanAm Games Champion and Eldred Henry who is set to compete in the men’s Shot Put event. 

Augustine sais he expects good performances from the two BVI athletes.

He said: “Both athletes are true contenders and, like Kyron, the expectations are high. In 2017, as you would recall, Chantel proved herself to be deserving of worldwide attention at the Championships, becoming BVIs first outdoor finalist in the Long Jump event.”

“These are exciting times for BVI Athletics, our athletes are showing up at all levels. The country is supportive of their efforts and God has continued to open doors of opportunities for us full spectrum.”

Henry and Malone are set to compete in their respective event on October 3 and 5, respectively.

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