http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/_Pe ... 84436.html'Pelting mango and coconuts every day'
By Kim Boodram
Story Created: Aug 12, 2012 at 12:02 AM ECT
Story Updated: Aug 12, 2012 at 12:02 AM ECT
FROM pelting coconuts out of trees as a child to throwing a javelin for gold yesterday.
Keshorn Walcott is now royalty in his hometown of Toco.
And as jubilation overflowed into the streets of Toco yesterday, the new Olympian's mother said yesterday his stunning win at the Games in London, England, was a feat she always believed he was capable of.
"I was afraid to believe for everybody to know but in my heart, I always knew Keshorn could do this," Beverly Walcott said yesterday at the family home in Trois Roches Village.
Walcott was already exhausted from nearly 20 minutes of crying when it became clear her 19-year-old son, second-born of three boys, had created history by bringing home the country's second Olympic gold medal in 36 years.
Saying Keshorn's victory was for all of Trinidad and Tobago, Walcott said her son had been nicknamed "The Monster" when he started javelin throwing a few years ago, with good reason.
"That boy doesn't give up," she said.
"He spent all his spare time training and when he couldn't train up here, when the gym at the Toco Composite School was closed, he would go to Sangre Grande or San Juan.
But all I want now is the flowers he promised to bring for me when he comes back."
Throughout yesterday's javelin final, Walcott was in her bedroom, watching the contest in privacy.
"I want to watch my boy by myself," she said.
Frequent screams of excitement and encouragement were heard and as Keshorn finished his second throw in the men's javelin, she shouted, "My boy on fire!"
The young athlete's father, Endy King, fell nearly silent as news came that his son had won gold yesterday.
A shocked King said it would take some time for the magnitude of the event to sink in and his pride as a father could run no deeper.
"Words cannot describe how I feel right now," King said.
Earlier, King had said his son had a good start in building his strength just by being a young man in a village like Toco, where much of their time was spent outdoors.
Referring to the ease and prowess displayed by Keshorn on the field, King said:
"He might have started training with the javelin only a few years ago but the training started long time, when he was young.
"They have nothing to prepare your arm like that, to build strength in your arm, like being a young man and doing things like pelting mango and coconuts every day. Keshorn used to pelt coconuts out of the trees. That come natural to him out there."
Keshorn is not the family's only outstanding athlete.
Younger brother Elton was a standout for T&T at the last four editions of the Junior Carifta Games. He captured the boys' under-17 triple jump title on his Carifta debut, in 2008, and went on to record a hat trick of victories in the under-20 category, striking gold in 2009, 2010 and 2011. A young Keshorn wanted to be a track runner and later, a footballer, but fell short in both sports.
"He tried running and he was slow," Keshorn's aunt, Anna Lee Walcott, said yesterday.
"He tried football too but wasn't good enough at it."
Within minutes of Keshorn's victory yesterday, the family home was filled with relatives and friends in the closely-knit village.
Tears and laughter mingled as the congratulations flowed and all who spoke to the Sunday Express described Keshorn as "dedicated and humble".
He was a regular 'Toco boy' who loved the dumplings and peas his mother would often cook.
Toco councillor Terry Rondon, who spent most of the day with the family, broke down at the sight of Keshorn's success.
Sobbing openly, Rondon thanked God and said Keshorn deserved "more than a hero's welcome".
"He deserves the best we can give him," Rondon said.
"This is great day for Toco and I hope now we can see what Toco is capable of producing."
The Toco Main Road yesterday became a celebration site with some eager residents standing at the side of the road, waving the national flag and shouting "gold" at passing cars.
Real glad for them. Was up there just 2 weeks ago. Always a nice place with nice people. Bask in the glory and fame Toco!!
