Trio making best of Commonwealth Games exposure

Swimmer Tia Gun-Munro, along with Track athletes Jabari Michael-Khensu and Desroy Jordan, are hoping to make the best of their first exposure at the Commonwealth Games.

This, by some distance, is the trio’s largest sporting experience, and they are lapping up the chance to compete at the global multi-discipline event.

For Gun-Munro, her hopes and aspirations are pinned on self- expectations and satisfying others.

According to her, “My expectation, basically, is to do well and I have been training hard for the occasion and my biggest hope is to improve on all my times in all the events in which I compete”.

Admitting that she is scared going into the Games, Gun-Munro disclosed that she is trying to muster that confidence needed.

Relishing the opportunity, Gun-Munro commented: “I feel proud of myself and within me I simply want to do my best and please myself and others”.

Gun-Munro will swim in the 50m Breaststroke, today, Friday, July 29 and tomorrow, July 30, in the 50m Freestyle and Monday, in the 100m Breaststroke.

Meanwhile, Michael-Khensu sees it as an honour to represent his country.

“I am blessed to be competing for St Vincent and the Grenadines … It has always been my dream since I have been competing to come out on these big stages and represent the country well,” he highlighted.

Planning to make a statement, Michael-Khensu added, “My goal is always to win, because although we are a small island, we have a lot of talent, a lot to show and I will love to be a part of starting that trend where people will start to see St Vincent and the Grenadines as a place with good runners, in any sport, not only Track and Field”.

Michael-Khensu is set to compete in the 200m on Thursday, August 4.

Joining Michael-Khensu on the track is Jordan, who is officially listed to run the 800m on Wednesday, August 3.

Embracing his first international meet, Jordan related, “As a youth growing up, I always wanted something like this, so I feel good coming to the Commonwealth Games, because not everyone gets the chance to come to a Games like this”.

He, too, recognizes the magnitude of the occasion, hence, his contentment lies in bettering his time.

“I hoping to do my best, as I know this is a very high level of competition, so I am looking to do my personal best time,” Jordan stated.

The views of the three were supported by President of the Commonwealth Games Association of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Stephen Joachim, who told the Vincentian participants: “Do your best, give it your best shot, because you have no pressure on you… Once you do your best we are all happy for you”.