From a very young age, those who are destined for greatness are conditioned to work harder than their peers in order to achieve their goals. However, for most athletes in Guyana, the job of making their dreams a reality is twice as hard, having to balance the pressure of school and staying on top of their game.
Roberts in action
Ask any track and field athlete around about the motto they live by and they will say “hard work beats talents when talent doesn’t work hard”, highlighting the need for a balance in their lives and athletic careers.
Since his days at the Tucville Primary School, Georgetown, Deron Roberts was identified as a star on the track and in the classroom. The young man was a permanent feature in the National School’s Track and Field Championships every year, while maintaining grades in the 90 percentile each school term.
Roberts, following a sprint double achievement at Nationals 2018
As he moved on to his Secondary education at the Christ Church Secondary School, expectantly the balance became more difficult, but for the now 18-year-old athlete, determination and focus became his greatest assets.
In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Times Sport, Roberts a product of the Running Brave Athletics Club, shared a little about his journey in the athletics world.
Deron Roberts going through the warm up paces
“It has been very competitive, as it relates to persons training to come for me. And being up top there, means I had to train twice as hard so that I could stay on top and be the best that I could be,” he noted.
Following his time at Christ Church, Roberts moved to the Morgan Learning Centre where he completed his secondary education, gaining passes in every subject written and moved on to Queen’s College, where he is currently a Lower Sixth student. Commenting on the need for balance in his life, Roberts shared some challenges that himself and other athletes might face in such a position.
“Challenges include, 1. Staying fit. 2, n the event of injury it tells a lot on your mind, so staying mentally fit as well and 3, just trying to be a normal student in school. ”
“It’s all about determination. Because, school takes from 8 to three in the afternoon, that’s studying and the I have to go and train as well. So, determination comes in when at nights after training you have to do homework, as well as prepare for the next training day,” the sprint athlete went on to share with this publication when probed about his coping mechanisms.
At the National School’s Track and Field championships in 2019, it was a tale of heartbreak for Roberts as he pulled up after about 25M into the 100M final. This injury technically ruled the athlete out of the remaining week of competition. Speaking on the set back, Roberts shared that it took a mental on him.
“The mental toll is immense, as it relates to coming back. Just the season before, we had some development meets and I wasn’t able to compete because I was still healing, but when I do get to compete, it’s a lot of licks. But that all in the game and I hope to come out better next time,” he explained.
Back on the track in 2020, the teenager stepped up to the challenge of the Early Season Classic which was hosted by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), in hopes to intermingle the senior and junior athletes. Coming up against the like of, Davin Fraser, Akeem Stewart and Emmanuel Archibald, the aspiring sprinter noted that it was a humbling experience.
“It was very discouraging; it broke me mentally. But thank God for coaches and the rest of people that support me so that I could move on,” he said.
In spite of those hurdles, the track star shared that he is still focused on his goals, with a clear plan in mind.
“It’s a chance of redemption. So that I can prove to myself and others that I am still here and I’m still working toward my goals,” Deron stated, as he explained his intention to qualify for the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Games which are slated for Bermuda in 2021. After which, the aspiring medicine student has his sights set on schooling overseas and then on to the big stage.
“Firstly, it’s to get a scholarship, to be able to study overseas. After then, it’s to go pro, Olympics and medal.”
This publication the inquired about the struggles that Roberts may be facing in wake of the Coronavirus restrictions, to which he answered that it can affect an athlete’s fitness level.
“It is very strenuous due to the fact that we’re at home right now and the work that we put in last year to get ready for this year is gone. Fitness is a thing that goes very quickly, so it’s hard because we can’t go outside to do any long running so we have to stay at home. And even when you’re home, there isn’t adequate equipment or anything that you can use to maintain that fitness.”
“Just be obedient to your coaches or look online for some programs that your can uses, like some jump work, fitness work, high knees, even some push ups or some abs would be very beneficial,” Roberts went on to say, as he shared some tips for staying fit during this time.
For those who know Deron well, there is always a loud cheer whenever he takes the track, for this the athlete shared that he is grateful for his consistent support system.
“Well first of all, God, my parents my brothers, my coach and all the athletes of the running Brave athletic club.”
