Jamaican freestyler wants to pioneer project in Jamaica
LONDON, England — Despite failing to advance to the world final in the 2016 edition of the Red Bull Street Style tournament on Monday, Jamaican freestyle footballer Aaril Anglin said that it was an invaluable experience to represent his country at a global event.
Anglin crashed out of the planet’s premier freestyle football tournament at the qualification round, which was held at the iconic Roundhouse venue in Camden Town.
He suffered three losses and finished in fourth position in Group G behind Ricardinho from Brazil, Fahed from United Arab Emirates and Sander from Findland.
“I wasn’t prepared mentally and physically and I wasn’t in the best shape to match those guys. You have some break and hardcore dancers that were very hard to beat. However, I did my thing and I am really proud of myself.
“Everything has been good and it is really an honour for me to represent my country, Jamaica, at the tournament. I think that if it wasn’t for my knee, I would have done much better and maybe make it to the world final.
“However, it has been a good tournament for me and I am still learning as I go on. It is also good to be among these freestylers as I am learning from them as well. I have been with them in 2010 in South Africa and so I am somewhat familiar with them,” Anglin said.
The 27-year-old Anglin, who was scheduled to return to the island today, said that his main focus will be to try and develop the sport of freestyle in Jamaica.
“We want to start a project in Jamaica (and) we are working on a thing named ‘Yard Ball’ where we will be teaching the sport in Jamaica.
“I want this sport of freestyle to develop more in the Caribbean (as) I see some very outstanding acrobatic style the foreigners are doing and if we are to beat them we need to increase our level of the sport,” he told the Jamaica Observer.
Anglin understands that it will require hard work for the Jamaican project to succeed.
“It is going to take hard work and dedication, but I want to do that. The most important thing we want are sponsors and Red Bull has really done so much for the sport, and I want to give them thanks for everything and hope that other sponsors can come on board as this sport is really a good thing,” he said.
