Jamaica Gleaner

All about enjoyment for discus champ Stona

- – L.S.

DESPITE CARRYING an injury and up against a top-class field in the Class One discus final, St Jago High’s Roje Stona, was all about enjoying himself and doing his best in his pet event at the ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls’ Championsh­ips and it proved to be a winning combinatio­n for the gold medallist.

“To win the discus Class One is a blessing. It’s my personal event and I just came out to execute and that’s what I did,” he said.

“The plan was to come out and start well and then go for it in the early round, but I went behind and people might think I was under pressure, but I wasn’t, I was enjoying myself,” he insisted.

CLOSE COMPETITIO­N

Stona, who suffered from a painful knee, said the competitio­n was close throughout but he was just focused on winning the event.

“It was tight, because I know I have an injury ... and the other throwers were doing well, so you didn’t know who was going to win. My knee is injured but it was just mind over matter, as the championsh­ip is more important,” he added

Two years ago, Stoner fell out at the preliminar­y round in Class Two, so claiming the Class One title this year, under the circumstan­ces, gives him a feeling of redemption. “It makes me feel great,” he stated.

The big thrower is also down to compete in the shot-put event and although his expectatio­ns remain in check he is still looking to contribute to his school’s ambitions of finishing fifth

“I hope to contribute more in other competitio­ns. I just hope to go out and execute, I am not sure what will happen but when you do your best anything is possible,” he said.

 ?? IAN ALLEN/PHOTOGRAPH­ER ?? St Jago High’s Roje Stona winning the Class One discus at the National Stadium yesterday.
IAN ALLEN/PHOTOGRAPH­ER St Jago High’s Roje Stona winning the Class One discus at the National Stadium yesterday.

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