Brother’s love fuelling Shaw’s season

Last year was one of record-breaking success for Edwin Allen's Dionjah Shaw but also with a painful loss, something that is fuelling her charge in her first season in Class II in the discus at the March 28 to April 1 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships (Champs).

Shaw not only smashed the Class III discus record en route to the title last year but also claimed the Carifta Games Under-17 record last April in front of her home crowd at the National Stadium, to win the title.

While she was competing, however, she was also dealing with a personal loss, with the passing of her brother during Champs. For Shaw, he is her main motivator this season to continue the success that she had last year.

"My biggest motivation has been my brother. So I am doing everything for him and myself and to make my school and mom proud," Shaw told STAR Sports.

With the memory of her brother fuelling her, she has been producing top-level performances this season in her first year in Class II, with the biggest difference being her improved technique in getting better results, as well as what success has done for her self-belief.

"The difference between last year and this year is that I have been working on my full turn because I couldn't do it last year," Shaw said. "It built up my confidence more, so, when I go out there and compete, I am not afraid."

The confidence that she currently enjoys is what she hopes will lead her to yet another recording-breaking performance this year, hoping that she will be able to hit the 50-metre mark, something that she is resolute about achieving.

"It has been a good season so far. I have been throwing 45 metres consistently this season, but I am still working on reaching 50 metres at Champs," Shaw said.