In the realm of youth sports, where young talents shine and dreams take flight, one young Tobagonian athlete has been leaping towards greatness. Meet Imanni Matthew, a 16-year-old from Bishop's High School in Tobago whose dedication and prowess in track and field have brought him numerous accolades and aspirations for even greater heights.
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00:00 Hi, my name is Imani Matthew. I am 16 years old.
00:03 I attend Bishop's High School. I'm from Tobago and I'm a long jumper.
00:08 On my training days, I normally get up around 7, 7.30.
00:28 I eat breakfast. I try to eat healthy and on time because you have to digest your food in a matter of hours before training.
00:36 I lunch at like 12. Training starts at 3.30 and whatever my coach has planned for the day, that's what I do for training.
00:44 I started track at a young age. I think I was like 7 or 8. I was at school games and our coach saw me, Miss Anneli Walcott.
00:55 She saw me and she took me under her wing and she trained me from there on and I'm here now.
01:01 I'm the youngest of three brothers. I currently live with my dad. My mum is in England.
01:06 And after Commonwealth Games, I'll be visiting her in England.
01:10 So many goals that I have achieved this year is making the character team and winning gold,
01:16 making the NACAC Under-18 team where I win gold also and I broke the Under-18 record.
01:24 And I also have the Commonwealth Games coming up soon where I would like to keep my gold winning streak and just make my country proud.
01:32 I am proud of my achievements at the NACAC Under-18 Games where I placed first, breaking the record,
01:39 where I jumped 7.71, ranking me fourth Under-18 in the world right now.
01:44 I look up to Usain Bolt because he is the best athlete there was ever in the sport.
01:50 And I also look up to my older cousin, Andre Leroy. He currently has the national record for trying to go.
01:57 I started track and field under the watchful eyes of Miss Anneli Walcott.
02:01 Then I had to move to Tobago where she introduced me to Coach Alan Morrison.
02:06 And for the past four years, I've been in Kaisersland Panthers and I'd like to thank both of them for helping me reach to this point in life.
02:14 My dreams for the future is one, making my country proud and getting a gold medal at the Olympic Games.
02:23 And I'd also like to break the world record in the long jump.
02:26 During my free time, I hang out with my friends. I go to the movies. I go fishing. I go riding bike, you know, normal teenage stuff.
02:37 I'd like to thank my mum and dad for supporting me. My whole family, they have been a great support to me.
02:43 They really pushed me and keep me on the right track to do what I'm supposed to do.
02:50 Keep me safe, keep me, you know, very grounded and humble so I can be here now.
02:56 I thank everyone for viewing my Express YSS interview.
03:01 And I ask of you to come out and support each and every one of us at the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
03:08 (Music)
03:18 (upbeat music)