Fiona Richards cops Malta Champion Girl Prize
Fiona Richards is one cool customer. The first year Class One athlete, who represents Edwin Allen High School, garnered the most points in girls’ competition to emerge Champion Girl at the fourth meet of the 2017 Digicel Grand Prix Athletics Championships, Central Champs.
One who seems to find fun in everything, Richards, having just collected a $25,000 prize courtesy of sponsors Malta after a
‘topper-top’ display, said “it was just like collecting another medal”.
“I don’t know, is just me that, just cool,” Richards said, with a grin. That soon turned to laughter, and more laughter as she expressed more on her achievements, a gold medal in the shot put with a 13.80-metre throw and silver in the discus, one of the Digicel Grand Prix championships events, having recorded 45.97m.
That mark was bettered by St Jago High’s Gabrielle Bailey, who threw a record 49.11m.
Probably explains why Richards admitted not having her sights set on a top award coming into the meet.
“I wasn’t expecting that, but I hope I will use it wisely,” she said of the bonus. “It’s important, it helps us out more and gives us a push.”
A versatile campaigner who hails from Portland, Richards started track in first form at Buff Bay High, running hurdles and relays as well as the long jump.
The 17-year-old is used to being pushed, as one blessed with talent who appears not to recognise it.
“I was not good, but I could get myself into the finals,” reminisced Richards, laughing at herself while going on to point out that she made the switch to the throws in ninth grade.
“I actually started the throws when I was at Buff Bay High. I got two gold medals when I was in first year Class Two, in the shot put and discus. So after that I just made the switch because my coach said more schools are going to be offering me things, so go to the one that is more important,” shared the former winner at Eastern Champs.
Later, the coach gave her more definitive advice. “My coach said I could get a better option and more help at Edwin
Allen. He was right, because they have a better gym, a better programme, and the field is there for me to execute and work.
“I feel fine, I feel thankful,” said Richards.
At the Frankfield-based school where she now wears the sky blue uniform in competition, Richards said training is hard and noted that “executing well” also contributed to her success.
“Listening to my coach, taking the boosting up from my teammates are other factors,” she said, laughing again like she so often does.
However, there is more to Richards than frolic and play, as reflected in her off-field activities.
“I mostly study, or I dance, or I watch some videos of top throwers and try to steal their technique (laughing again),” she said.
“Hopefully, and hopefully, I could continue and be a professional athlete. But I want to be a chartered accountant,” Richards said of a career goal.
“I’m a business student and I love to work with people.” Her placing in the discus qualifies her for the Digicel Grand Prix Finals and the GC Foster Classic, to be held at the National Stadium today, where she will be looking to help her school retain the top prize of $1 million towards their sports programme. Richards could also earn an additional $25,000 courtesy of Malta if she cops the award for overall champion girl.
“I’ll be listening to my coach and looking to execute,” said Richards with a grin that is etched in her personality.