A sprinter with speed to burn

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/08/2020 (1927 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Deborah Adekayode is a 16-year-old student-athlete at Vincent Massey Collegiate who is looking forward to and is hopeful that she will soon be going back to school for Grade 12.

Like all students last year, Deborah was deeply affected by the pause caused by COVID-19.

“It was a shock. We learn about historical sicknesses in the past, but never would have thought that we would go through it,” she said.

“During the first couple of weeks of online learning I was on top of it. The further along it went I found it more difficult to stay motivated. My marks didn’t suffer, they actually improved, but it was a difficult challenge with the lack of structure.”

Deborah is a track and field athlete and she’s a burner who likes her speed. She runs the 60- and 100-metre sprints, races in relays and also does the long jump. Deborah has a natural skill and she is determined to make the most of it.

“I have been running track for nine or 10 years. I used to live in Cape Town, South Africa. I was born and was raised there until I was 9. When we came to Canada I took a six-month break, but then got back into it,” she said.

“I love it. I love my sport. It is my passion.”

Deborah and her family live in Bridgwater. Her dad Freddy, mom Olu, and brothers David and Daniel provide much love and support to Deborah.

“Thank you to my mom and dad for being my No. 1 supporters through everything. All the ups and downs. They love me unconditionally. They do all they can to be at every race. I will always remember and appreciate all the love they have shown me,” she said.

Sprinting began as a hobby but it has now become something else for Deborah.

“Over the last three years I have started believing that I can do something after high school with sprinting. I have had some universities who have started to talk to me. My goal is to run in university and then see what happens after that.”

You can feel the strength of spirit when you talk to Deborah. There is no doubt she will be successful.

She offers this powerful advice to other athletes:

“You will lose. There will be someone who is better. Let that motivate you. Let that push you.

Believe in yourself. Always believe in yourself. Find the strength from within.”

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Troy Westwood is co-host of The Big Show, every weekday morning from 6 to 10 a.m. on TSN 1290 radio. He writes about Winnipeg’s unsung sports heroes every other week in the Canstar Community News weeklies. If you know of an athlete whose story Troy should tell, contact him at: troy.westwood@bellmedia.ca