As the Guyanese Nation revelled in the celebration of its 55th Independence Anniversary this week, Noelex Holder similarly celebrated a personal accomplishment for which he has since been revelling.
Along with a group of 8 other athletes, Holder has been selected to be part of Guyana’s contingent to the South American Senior Championships to be held this weekend in Ecuador.
Noelex Holder
“To me, I want to leave a legacy, be a household name, so when they think sports, they think Guyana; they think sprinting; they’ll think Noelex Holder!” the young man declared to <<Guyana Times Sport>> as he expressed his intentions.
The 21-year-old can be considered a breakout star on the track, having registered numerous podium finishes since the restart of athletics earlier this year, following a lengthy break as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Now he will be tasked with ensuring the Golden Arrowhead is well represented this weekend at the South American Senior Championships.
Upon learning that he was selected for the team, Holder said he felt that his hard work had paid off.
“Well, hearing was something (that) really resonated in my heart, and I knew I was putting in the work. I felt that I deserved to be there, and I don’t want to waste the opportunity,” he declared.
Holder shared how he used the pandemic to better his craft.
The budding sprinter explained, “The work all started in the off-season, I should say during the pandemic; that’s when I decided that it was time for me to develop my craft and put in the work to get to the top.
“So I was doing a lot of long distance, a lot of strength work; and then, coming close to the Games, I got more specific, where I did more speed work and so on, and the results showed,” he added.
Once he gets to Ecuador, Holder says, he is committed to playing whatever role is asked of him. And although making the Tokyo Olympics may be a long shot, it is right within his vision.
“Whatever the country wants me to do, whatever the coach decides, the administration; if they say to do relay or individual meet, I’m ready to do it, and I’ll put my best foot forward,” Holder explained.
“Well, at the moment, I think Tokyo is a bit far, but anything is possible once I put my mind to it! So maybe I should put Tokyo at the head of my mind, aim for the stars and land on the moon,” he declared.
Guyana will be represented at the SA Championships by an 11-member team. The Games are scheduled for May 29-31 in Ecuador. The team consists of Noelex Holder, Emmanuel Archibald, Mark Jhallu, Andrea Foster, Jasmine Abrams, Quamel Prince, Arinze Chance and Jeremy Bascombe. One change to the team will see Devaun Barrington travelling in the place of the injured Winston George.
Coach Johnny Gravesande and Team Manager Kenisha Headley are accompanying the team. (Jemima Holmes)
