Wishart, Gonsalves aiming to defy odds in steeplechase
By Michelangelo Jacobus
The steeplechase is an obstacle race in athletics, which derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing. The foremost version of the event is the 3000 meters steeplechase.
A 3000-metre steeplechase is defined in the rulebook as having 28 barriers and seven water jumps. Since the water jump is never on the track oval, a steeplechase “course” is never a perfect 400 metres lap.
Instead the water jump is placed inside the turn – shortening the lap or outside the turn – lengthening the lap.
Nigel Gonsalves (front) and Ronaldo Wishart (second) in action during their debut steeplechase event
This is an event that is foreign to Guyanese athletes; the last time a Guyanese athlete participated in the steeplechase was over half a century ago.
Nigel Gonsalves and Ronaldo Wishart will be representing Guyana in the 3000 meters steeplechase this weekend as they seek to make Guyana proud at the South American Under-20 Championships from June 3-4 at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, West Coast Demerara.
On Sunday last at the GOBSA Independence Track Meet, they both participated in their first competitive steeplechase events along with Rondell Newton.
After completing the race, the trio described the experience as “difficult”, because “they had never done anything like it”. However, Wishart pledged that he and his partner, Nigel Gonsalves, would do their “very best” to make Guyana proud and to improve on their times as they seek championship glory.
Events such as the hurdles, pole vault, hammer throw and steeplechase are non-traditional events in which Guyanese have either never or rarely participated in.
Guyana, which is aiming to have an athlete in almost every event in hopes of winning medals, will be represented in the 400m hurdles and the 3000m steeplechase. The athletes who will be taking part in the events have only had a little over four weekends worth of training, but are all striving to make the motherland proud.
