Luan Gabriel’s personal coach is predicting great things for the Isiah Thomas Secondary School student, following her historic, record-setting run at the CARIFTA Games in Bermuda at the weekend.
Coach Nabi Wallace says he expects the 15-year-old prodigy, to go very far in the athletics business.
The Bioche teenager claimed Dominica’s first gold medal ever on the track at the CARIFATA Games, by winning the Girls Under-seventeen 200 metres title.
In addition, her performance in the U-17 girls 200m semi-finals of 24.09 seconds is a new national record for both the U-17 and U-20 girls’ categories.
Luan’s coach who has been nurturing her development since 2009, sang her praises following her victory.
“Luan is the most consistent athlete I have ever trained hence the reason why it is possible to take her to the next level. Disciplined, persistent and humble are just few of the words I could use to describe the characteristics of this young lady,” Wallace stated.
However, Wallace, who is currently at UWI St. Augustine in Trinidad completing a degree in Sports Management, bemoaned the overall preparation level of the national team, whose only other win was one bronze medal in the Under 17 Girls Javelin.
He believes that many of the athletes ran on ‘raw talent’ and that more structured training programmes need to be put in place for national athletes.
However Wallace says he sees a lot of potential coming out of Dominica, and suggests that in Luan’s case she is “well poised to represent Dominica in the 2016 Olympic Games.”
Wallace has extended gratitude to those who were instrumental in facilitating the national team’s participation in Bermuda.
He singled out Trevor Shillingford (Sports Coordinator of the Sports Division), the Ministry of Sports and the Dominica Olympic Committee.
He also thanks Dani Burton and Joseph Bazil, who supervised Luan’s training in his absence.
Meanwhile the National Youth Council has called on the country’s young people to emulate Luan.
NYC President Fenella Wenham says the 15-year-old represents hope for young people in Dominica.
“I know Luan. She is a very determined young lady and what she did we can always learn from it no matter how old or young we are. She goes for training and she also has to do school but she works at it,” she said.
She said Dominica will also benefit from Gabriel’s achievement.
“She is the youngest and first athlete to win a gold medal at the CARIFTA games for Dominica and that spells well for us,” Wenham added.
VERY NICE!!!!
congratulations Luan great work be pleased top know that this was not a supprise as you have worked hard and shown the correct attitude.
This was not the first gold for Dominica on the track. Just one Dawn Willias in the 800m.
My apologies the report should have reflect first sprint track medal for Dominica. Luan is aware that Dawn Williams won gold at the 1992 Carifta Games as we have been in contact with Dawn on facebook.
Congratulation to Luan. You have done something that now other Dominican has done at the Carifta level. Keep up the good work and continue to strive for excellence on and off the field. There are many great opportunities out there for you. The ultimate prize is competing and having success at the Olympic Games. In the meantime, take care of business in the classroom and inquire about the necessary test needed for a athletic scholarship in the USA.
Congrates again….
Congratulations again to Luan on her record breaking performance which led her to the gold medal. Now I call upon those who are financial able to invest in this young lady as she prepares for the CAC Junior Championship in San Salvador from June 29th – July 1st.
congratulations Luan. Mr. Charles would have been proud. He was looking forward to a gold medal for Dominica during his stint as the president of the Dominica Olympic Committee. Good Job. Mr. Charles will rest in peace.
We are all very proud of you Luan! May God continue to bless you and your coach particularly at this time as we celebrate the resurrected Christ at Easter!
Great things coming from a small village by the sea. Usain Bolt say is sweet potatooe, I say is de fish water… Congrats, you make us all proud
i would like to congratulate luan on a job well done but i hope the sports division put some measures in place to keep her doing a great job on like me i was the fastest runner dominica could ever have and because of lack of facilities and prefrences i quit running.
congrats nabs & luan
but i also hope if god spear our lives we see 2016 there will not be a headache for sponsors for this young lady to go represent Dominica again, is time some of us Dominicans put our differences a side and come together to help the young people
(pertaining to the bigger heads in the sports division)
horray for Dominica
congrats Lu!! We’re all very proud of u
I really hope she takes this serious and don’t let young boys full her head. That girl is special and have a very bright future……Good luck in future meets.
dominicans all over are very proud..let us
concentrate on doing more for her and the others they might end up at the olympics one day
i am happy that Luan made us proud. now people when we ask for sponsors for these young stars please help us and stop pushing us aside. hearts off to coach Nabi who has to go the extra mile to see that this athelete achieve her goal.Business people please don’t be selfish adopt an athelete so they can continue to make us proud.
great job Luan
congrats luan! its a pleasure to see my friend representing dominica to the fullest and doing her best! continue the good work
Congratulations to Luan, her coaching staff and support system. Continue to make us proud!
Congratulations Luan!!!!
Whoop Whoop!!!!!!!
congrats to u luan. u made us all proud. keep up the good work.
Way to go Kiddo great job, you and the rest of your team.
Congratulations to Luan on her history-making victory and to her coach on the well-deserved success of an athlete under his supervision.
Continue the hard work and I am sure you will reap the rewards.
Great job Coach, and Luan! You guys are on your way to achieving greater things. Thanks for the positive in spite of all the negative that surround us each day. Thanks much and keep on training.
go lu lu congrats keep up the good work make the scholl proud
congras guy keep doing what you guy are doing to put dominica on the map of sports.
Great Work, continue striving for the best in all your endeavors. The sky’s the limit
well done u go girl making us proud
please dominica football association work with the DAAA and build a race track around the newly football staduim in stockfarm.
Well Done. Hope to see you in 2016 olympics
congratulations to you and your school. I hope that your achievement helps to improve the image of ITSS.
Now that Luan has proven what can be achieived on raw talent, I hope something will be done to put a structured programme in place to support our young athletes. Let us give as much notice to luan’s success as we give to all the bad news in circulation. CONGRTULATIONS LUAN! Job well done.
Congrats to you my young Dominican sister. I wish you nothing but the very best for the future.
Congratulations Luan. We are all happy and proud of your achievement. Keep doing your best.
So proud of you Luan. Great!!! You did it for yourself and for us Dominicans and this we are happy and proud of. Keep moving up the ladder, keep your eyes on the prize and keep focused.
Congratulations cuzzo you made us all proud keep up the good work.
Well done, young lady. I am sure your fellow athletes (and Dominica at large) are proud of your achievement, and I wish you would get all the training, knowledge and upliftment that is necessary to take your talent further.
#JahBlessings#
You made us all proud. Go Luan go.
I’M VERY PROUD OF YOU GUYS
KEEP IT UP!!!!!
great job!! great news!! Wish u success in your future endeavors!! Just remain focused and be positive!!
good job dominica ,from antigua keep up the good work
congrats girlie……..
Congratualtions Luan! You made yourself and your country proud! Congrats on a win well deserved. Great training Mr. Wallace.
congrats ms. gabriel….
congrats girly…continue making us proud..coach nabi, i know your dedication towards you students..blessing for the future..
Bravo Luan, Bravo Domnica!