reporting from Beijing
On a warm Beijing night and with expectations running high, Cleopatra Borel was going through her normal routine before competition, unfortunately, faith was against this proud daughter of T&T.
In the morning session, Borel looked comfortable, qualifying after her second throw in sixth place, but well off her season best of 19.26. As the Pan American Gold medallist, her own expectations were high as well, “I am going to have to throw over 20 metres to earn a medal and that is what I am going to aim for,” Borel said.
“On my first warm up throw, I did something to my hand, and after that my fingers separated and now I have pain in the centre of my hand and I could not throw after that, I tried to keep going, but...” a clearly deflated Borel said while looking at her swollen hand, and the lacerations and separations that were clearly now visible.
This more than anything explained why many watching Borel’s throw seem so laboured, even causing some to remark about her trajectory, and as she explained, not even her coach (Ismael Lopez Mastsrapa) knew in the beginning. “He did not know as I was trying to explain to him what was happening but it was not until the second throw that he understood what I was saying.
Borel finished 12th, with throws of 17.43 (twice) and 16.85. The eventual winner was Christina Schwanitz (20.37) with Lijao Gong in second (20.30) and Michele Carter third (19.76). “I mean it is disappointing because I do not feel that I did something wrong. It just feels like a freak thing happened and my hands really hurt now. This is a tough one but I feel good knowing that I gave it my best,” said Borel.
The ever-inspirational leader is determined that the rest of the T&T team at the World Championships in Beijing will fight even harder now. “Now it is even more important for the rest of the team to go out there and do their thing. I hope that they can really focus and pull it together and do well.
“To everybody, go after your dreams. There will be ups and downs because otherwise, this was a great year for me and there is still Rio,” said a resilient Borel.