– appeals for more support from ministry, corporate entities

Race walker Rudolph Mitchell is celebrating a personal milestone of 100 consecutive wins locally after winning the 10K Race Walk around Soesdyke but he is appealing for the ministry to demonstrate more interest in pushing the sport and for sponsorships.

Forty-seven-year-old Mitchell recently sat down with Stabroek Sport to talk about his big achievement on Saturday in the Cavaliers Sports and Tour Club (CSTC) and National Sports Commis-sion (NSC) 10K Race Walk.

But first, what is race walking? It is a long distance athletic event. Race Walking is governed by two rules; the toe of one foot cannot leave the ground until the heel of the other has touched. If this rule is broken it is referred to as loss of contact.

The second rule requires that the supporting leg must straighten from the point of contact with the ground and remain straightened until the body passes over it. These rules are judged by the human eye, which creates controversy at today’s high speeds. Athletes may sometimes lose contact for a few milliseconds per stride which can be caught on high-speed film but such a short flight phase is undetectable to the human eye.

Mitchell, a 23-year veteran of the sport started race walking in 1985. “At that time I was working for GUYMINE and from there I went into the Joint services. I remember there was a very tough race and there was a guy from the Guyana Defence Force that beat me for two years and after then he left and went to the United States and I started dominating from that time, it was around 1987.”  Mitchell said he believes he has a natural ability for the sport and does nothing special to prepare for a meet, “I don’t have any special food I eat, once and far I would use builders and tonic but that is all I use.”
SS: How did you feel in the run-up to your 100th victory and the race which decided your fate?

RM: “I’ve been in race walking for over  23 years and I feel great. I feel like a king. I don’t have any idea about what exactly will take place at the ceremony but I know there will be prize giving for myself and other athletes with the presence of the Director of Sport Neil Kumar and Public Service Minister Jennifer Westford who were very supportive throughout the month of race walk activities Cavaliers sports and Tour Club had organized during the month of August.”
SS: After each race how do you wind down and recuperate?
RM: “When I’m competing I am doing so barefooted so I’m accustomed to that and I actually feel more comfortable that way. If my race was today my feet would feel a little sore but I would go home and simply relax. Within two days my feet are back to normal and I’m ready for any action.”

SS: In your opinion what is the Cavaliers Sports and Tour Club doing for the sport?
RM: “To me the club is doing wonderful things for race walking but it needs more sponsorship from other places and it will develop more. One of the major races organized by the club was one which began at Soesdyke Junction all the way to Linden and that was one of my longest races but I enjoy doing it because it keeps you well and fit.”
SS: Have you spotted anyone coming up in the sport that is talented?

RM: “There is a walker in Kuru Kuru (Jeremy Cornelius) and Kevin Mitchell of Linden who is also my nephew. The two have a natural talent and I have raced against both of them from time to time. However I realise that they have a lot of stamina but they don’t have the experience to go along with it. For example, the technique, they just walk with the normal strength but the right technique isn’t there.”
SS: What would you like to see in terms of further development for race walking in Guyana?
RM: “I’ll be glad if the Minister of Sport would push it more. One of the ways would be financially and I’d like to have trips and competitions out because I don’t have anybody to compete with locally so if I was able to travel I would be able to compete with some of the best race walkers and improve my ability.

“If we received cash and other related incentives we would find much more people participating and spectators coming out to support the athletes. I have never walked for cash but for the love of the sport. Trophies and gifts are given out but in other countries there is finance and money involved amongst the sports authorities and athletes. I would have dropped out a long time ago if I wasn’t aiming for that hundred.

“Once again I am appealing to the government to the look at the 100th victory I have achieved because it is a great number and I want them to look at what Guyanese are capable of. Reflecting upon the successes of Lindeners in the entertainment and sporting arena this year he stated, “I also hope that my fellow Lindeners are inspired by myself and others who have done the mining town proud.”