Naomi London has an unyielding passion for sports and the island’s latest recipient of the Student Athlete of the Year title, yearns to become a star athlete.
Hailing from the southern community of Vieux Fort she grew up in a family where sports ran through the veins of her relatives. And it didn’t take long for Naomi to begin showing her prowess in the track and field arena.
The young athlete was introduced with a colorful profile at the recent National Sports Awards function that highlighted her exploits at national and regional levels. She also came up with good performances at the Carifta Games.
Naomi’s outstanding performances over the past year, includes:
– Fastest 100m and 200m female u-17 2023
– Gold in the 100m, 200 and 4×100 at Island Champs 2023(100-11.58, 200-23
– History making double silver in the sprint in CARIFTA
– Saint Lucia’s first-ever medal in the 200m. #CARIFTA
– Second medal for Saint Lucia in sprints at the CARIFTA level. #CARIFTA50
– Qualified for Commonwealth Youth Games
Naomi took time out at the sports function to take Voice Sports through the journey of what makes her tick, as an athlete.
“I was naturally talented and ready and my coach saw me and took me under his wings, and now here am I today and I’m proud of that,” said London, on her natural inclination towards atheletics.
Speaking on what spurs her on as an athlete, Naomi says: “I would say it mostly has to do with my determination and knowing that I have the potential with faith in God as my #1 supporter it pushes me to the limit.”
A Pisces by birth, born March 18, London is pleased that she chose track and field as her choice of sports. “I am good at it, so I’ll see how far I go. I favour the sprints 100 and 200 metres races.”
Maintaining her composure and not getting overly flustered is key to Naomi success as she prepares to compete. Describing herself as a “naturalist” and taking on her exploits involves basically, “sticking to the formula that I have to see how far I can go”.
London cherishes the experience that she has gained, by representing her country in regional meets.
“It gives me a lot of exposure and helps in getting out to compete, and having to go out into other countries,” she explained. “I’m a beginner and I’m just getting there and I’m expecting more and hoping to make inroads to bigger achievements.”
Copping the Student-Athlete title provided an added thrill for the exuberant Naomi, though she fell short in a bid for the coveted Jr. Sportswoman of the Year title, going up against some other top young female contenders.
“That’s my second time being here to compete for the title, and though I didn’t win it is what it is. I’m happy for the winner and having my name up on stage is just the starting of greatness, and I believe that I will be the next top female athlete, declared London.
The young sprinter is very dedicated and committed to her pursuits as an athlete. She asserted: “I’m very dedicated to the sport, it has taken me to a number of places, and so, I won’t let that just go to waste. I know I can go for higher achievements and it’s just small steps at a time. I will be there soon though, and I’ll be fine.”