“I treat every setback as a lesson” – national sprinter Kwanza Bearam

…says they contribute to his journey which kept him motivated to come back stronger

“I treat every setback as a lesson and reminded myself that growth often comes from the struggles, not just the win.”
These were the words of national sprinter and long jumper Kwanza Bearam, whose focus is not just to achieve personal accolades but also to inspire others to chase after their dreams and utilise their full potential despite setbacks that may come their way.
The 20-year-old, a member of Running Brave Athletic Club, has an all-time best of 11:19 seconds in the 100m and 6 meters in long jumping. He is presently preparing for several upcoming events such as the National Senior and the South American Track and Field Championships.
During a recent interview with Guyana Times Sport, Bearam recalled that he represented his House in primary school – St Thomas More Primary School. Due to his consistent performance, he went on to represent his school and ultimately his district.
While he would have excelled at sports, the former South Ruimveldt Secondary School student never took them seriously until recently.

He recalled watching elite athletes dominating the track and him seriously considering sport. “I wanted to feel that same rush and see how far I could challenge my own potential,” he stated.
Apart from the 100m sprint, he chose long jump because it combines speed, power and the appropriate techniques. “There’s something about hitting the board just right and flying through the air that is satisfying. It challenges me both mentally and physically, and when everything clicks it feels effortless.”
He added that sprinting came naturally while long jump came along after his coach saw his strength and explosiveness.
These talents, he attributed to the influence of Guyana’s own Tianna Springer and Christian Coleman as he watched them overcome challenges, and saw their determination to win and to also perform at a high level. This really motivated me. Also, their discipline and passion for the sport have had a major impact on the way I approach training and competition.”
Preparing mentally for big competition can be nerve-wrecking but this young man visualises the race in his head from start to finish. In addition, listening to music helps him focus and keep calm.
In maintaining that focus and energy on and off the field, eating the right foods is the secret.

“I stay consistent with clean eating – the right amount of protein, carbs, fruits and veggie meals and taking my supplements do the job. I also stay hydrated. After a race, I focus on stretching, rest is just as important, so I make sure to get quality sleep. When I’m dealing with an injury like my hamstring, I would go to rehab and recovery work to speed up the healing process,” he added.
When it comes to training, he keeps motivated by remaining focused and reminding himself of his goals and the reason he joined the sport. “I stay locked in on improving one step at a time even when it gets tough, I remind myself that hard days are what separate average from great, and that mindset keep me pushing through.”
As any athlete would, he has suffered several injuries during training and on the track, but while he is eager to return, he allows them to heal. This, however, does not deter him from going to the venue to rally for his team. “Despite dealing with hamstring injury that held me back, I would still show up for my team and support them from the sidelines. These moments remind me how much I love the sport and how hungry I am to make my mark and a comeback.

“One of the toughest times I faced a setback was when I struggled with a hamstring injury that kept me from competing and training for a year and couple months. It was frustrating especially since I had goals and competition ahead of me, but I reminded myself that setback was just a part of the journey. It taught me patience and how to stay motivated even when things aren’t going as planned. The key was understanding that recovery would lead to my comeback stronger than before,” the sales clerk attached to the Hand-in-Hand/GCIS Incorporated related.
When asked about the most challenging part of competing in track and field, he replied “staying consistent and focused is sometimes challenging as one simple mistake can cost you a race or a jump…so it’s about perfecting every little detail that can lead to successes.”
As it relates to handling pressure in high-stakes competitions, he depends on and trust his training. In fact, he reminds himself that pressure is a result of his hard work and more so, he is always prepared to handle the heat.
“I try to block out distractions and focus on what I can control – my performance, my mindset and my effort; it’s all about turning that pressure into motivation, knowing that it’s an opportunity to show what I’m capable of,” he further stated.
He added that one of his main goals is to lower his best time for the 100m sprint to below 10.8 seconds and increase his long jump record to 7m, but more importantly, he hopes to secure a full scholarship to a university to further develop his skills – both academics and athletics.
In fulfilling this dream, he plans to remain disciplined and stick to his routine, but at the same time give himself some time to relax and spend time with friends and family in order to not feel ‘burn-out’.
But as he awaits that time, he is ensuring that he is well-prepared for the upcoming track and field meets.
Meanwhile, if he weren’t a track and field athlete, Bearam explained that he would have taken up a career in theatrical arts. “If I weren’t a track and field athlete, probably I would have been taking part in the arts such as dancing and singing in theatrical plays and so – anything that allows me to express myself physically and artistically would’ve been a vibe. I still feel like the rhythm and discipline from athletics would’ve translated well into something like dancing and singing, since it’s all about timing, control, and the passion.”
For those who want to take up track and field as a career, he urged them to be focused, be consistent and don’t compare your progress to anyone else’s accomplishments. “God said when the time is right, he will make it happen, so trust the process. Be encouraged; keep showing up even on tough days that’s where champions are built.”