FOTOS (Suministradas)

Ayden Owens Delerme viene de establecer marca nacional para el Atletismo puertorriqueño. La semana pasada acumuló 8,130 puntos en el evento del Décalo

La gesta fue realizada en el Bryan Clay Invitational en Azuza, California. Ayden quebró allí la marca juvenil de Puerto Rico para este evento por 1,207 puntos. Era 6,923 de Douglas Rosado. También rompió la de adultos por 426 puntos (7,704 de Luiggi Llanos).

Con esta victoria Ayden se coloca #1 en el ranking mundial de la temporada en la IAAF, rebasando a Karl Robert Saluri (Estonia) que tiene 8,060.

A todo ésto, Owens a penas acaba de comenzar su carrera universitaria. Es Freshman en University of Southern California (USC), cuya marca del Décalo también fue rota por Ayden, sí, como prepa.

Sabemos que para muchos en Puerto Rico este chico era desconocido hasta ahora. Igualmente, muchos no saben por qué es que él puede representar a la Isla a nivel internacional. Pues bien, QuePalo.com tuvo entrevista exclusiva con el chico maravilla del Décalo y el TeamPUR, Ayden Owens.



882240495156463 on piZap.com


«« HÉCTOR VÁZQUEZ MUÑIZ, QuePalo.com »»

Where are you from?

» AYDEN OWENS, Décalo Atletismo TeamPUR «

"I was born on May 28, 2000, to a Puerto Rican mother and African American father. I was born and raised with my seven siblings in Wexford, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. I currently attend the University of Southern California and study biomedical engineering.


«« HVM »»

What's your Puerto Rican roots?

» AYDEN OWENS «

"My mother’s parents were born and raised in Puerto Rico. My abuela was born in San Lorenzo and grew up in Santurce. My abuelo was born and raised in Mayaguez. They met in Puerto Rico when my abuelo was in medical school at University of Puerto Rico. After marrying, they moved to the US, where my abuela had 9 children, including my mother, Carmen (Carmen Delerme)."



882240495156463 on piZap.com


«« HVM »»

What connections do you have here on the island?

» AYDEN OWENS «

"My Wexford family has been vacationing in Puerto Rico since before I was born. We still return often to visit our many relatives there. Last year my sister, Melina, moved to Cupey, Puerto Rico. She currently studies at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, and lives with our cousin, Ann La Place."


«« HVM »»

Since you had the opportunity to represent the US at World Juniors, why did you choose Puerto Rico?

» AYDEN OWENS «

"I chose Puerto Rico because it is where I felt I belonged. I could have competed for Team USA in Finland and was prepared to go to the American trials, but the opportunity that Puerto Rico offered was far more compelling...

I recognized that the impact I could have on the small nation of PR and its sports world was greater than my potential impact on the US. I saw an opportunity to contribute to and even elevate the country of my grandparents’ births...

I grew up watching Javier Culson at Olympic games and I watched Monica Puig bring Puerto Rico its first Olympic gold medal. Puerto Rico has never earned an Olympic gold medal on the men’s side; I see an opportunity to change that...

Representing Puerto Rico and having that support allows me to stay in touch with my heritage and extend my reach as an athlete, as well."


«« HVM »»

Was that a hard decision, especially since you speak only English and were born in the states?

» AYDEN OWENS «

"Yes, deciding which country I would represent for my career at only 17 years old was very challenging. I discussed the pros and cons of the options with my parents, coaches, friends and others before making my decision. Many people encouraged and expected me to represent the US, since I was born and raised here...

I knew my decision, whichever country I chose, would not be supported by some, but that didn't bother me. I chose to follow my gut and will not allow criticism to affect me."


«« HVM »»

Now that you will be wearing a Puerto Rico uniform what are you most excited about?

» AYDEN OWENS «

"I am most excited about the support Puerto Rico gives its athletes. I am excited to be a part of something bigger than the name on my jersey. By representing Puerto Rico, I will honor my grandparents, my mother and my extended family on the Island."



[NUTRITION WORLD @ Manatí, Hatillo y ahora también estamos en Trujillo Alto, en Plaza Trujillo al lado de Always 99 y Fortune China. Info
787-933-3020]




«« HVM »»

What do you want the Island to know about you specifically?

» AYDEN OWENS «

"I want the island of Puerto Rico to know that I am thankful for the support I’ve received from them. Yes, I may have been born in the states and have limited Spanish speaking ability, but my passion aligns with yours. My passion to bring home gold medals and compete to the best of my ability in attempt to raise the Puerto Rican Flag is what I want people to know about me."


«« HVM »»

What was your reaction when you found out about breaking Puerto Rico Decalo national record

» AYDEN OWENS «

"When I found out that I broke the Puerto Rico national record in the decathlon, I was too fatigued to understand what I had just accomplished. I knew that the USC school record and the Puerto Rican national record were in reach prior to running the 1,500, but coach Carjay never told me my score. He told me to compete, and the score will come. After I caught my breath from the 1,500 I couldn’t hold in my excitement. I had just put my name in the record books."


«« HVM »»

When and how did you get into Track & Field / Decathlon?

» AYDEN OWENS «

"I began running track for a Pittsburgh-based track club called Nadia in 2010, just prior to turning ten years old. I started out as a sprinter and middle-distance runner, competing in anything from the 100m to the 1500m. Oronde Sharif, who has been my coach since I started running, taught me to hurdle and helped shape me into a multi event athlete at the age of twelve...

I competed in the pentathlon at many USATF Junior Olympics until I turned fifteen, when I took on the ten-event discipline. Since then I have gladly accepted the challenge of excelling in every event, not just hurdles. I have been blessed by the help of other coaches along the way, especially Jose Rivera who has patiently helped refine my techniques and prepare me for top level competitions.



882240495156463 on piZap.com


«« HVM »»

Describe your Finland trip to World Juniors with the Puerto Rican National team.

» AYDEN OWENS «

"The trip to Finland with the Puerto Rican junior team has been my most coveted experience thus far in my athletics career. I had the opportunity to travel to a European country for the first time and meet teammates who I have built wonderful bonds with. My teammates pushed me outside my comfort zone, encouraging me to speak the little Spanish I know, and I did the same to them...

The competition aspect was not the most memorable part. The experiences I shared with the team, competing against the best from around the globe, had the most profound impact on me."


«« HVM »»

What are your short-term and long-term career goals?

» AYDEN OWENS «

My short-term goals for this season are to win the NCAA championships in the decathlon and go on to compete at the Pan American Games in Peru, where I will compete for another gold medal...

My long-term goals are to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to fulfil my childhood dream. Ultimately, I would like to turn professional in track and field and compete in as many Olympics games as possible."


.