Walter Grant-Stuart is hoping that his gold medal outing in Canada this past weekend serves as the catalyst for him to achieve his dream of representing Guyana at the Paralympic Games.
The one-armed wheelsman braved the winter-like conditions in Montreal to win the Union Cycliste International (UCI) sanctioned C1 Para Cycling road race at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on Sunday.
He placed fourth in the Time-Trial event one day earlier. Grant-Stuart a former National Road Race Champion told Stabroek Sport yesterday that competing internationally against top-flight competition will best lay the foundation for him to earn a medal at a Paralympic Games. “The more Para events I attend, they will give me more recognition around the world. Thus I will have a better opportunity to be in the Paralympics”.
Grant-Stuart noted that putting himself and Guyana in the spotlight on the world racing circuit will certainly augur well for local para athletes as well as able-bodied ones. Quizzed on his emotions following his winning exploits, Grant-Stuart stated that “it was a great accomplishment” but added that there is still much work to be done.
He concluded by thanking his family, friends and supporters for making his sojourn a success.
His trip was made possible through support from Grace Kennedy Guyana Limited, the National Sports Commission, Ansa McAl, the Guyana Cycling Association of North America, Kevin Jeffery, Andrew King, Guyana Cycling Federation President, Horace Burrowes and others.
