BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
(Photo📸 By Solomon Airlines)
ACCORDING to Edgar Richardson Iro, his interest in swimming started during his high school days.
Edgar who competed in the recent Olympic Swimming 100m freestyle competition at the recent Tokyo Olympics said it started in year 2017.
“I was introduced to the sport in 2017 by one of my best friend. At that time I was a form 4 student at Panatina high school.
“Before that, I play other games as well. I play football, futsal and athletics,” He recalled.
Edgar attended Lunga primary from Pre – Class to Standard Six (6). He then did his form 1 to 5 at Panatina Community High School in Honiara.
The 20-years old told Rawsports that to represent the country at the world stage is a dream come true for him.
“It was my first time, I felt the pressure of the game. For representing Solomon Islands at this stage is a dream come true as a young islander.
The young lad from Malaita encouraged young people to engage and develop their talents in sports.
“Youths, please don’t let go of what you have or your talents. Make used of it, no one knows what you have, sometimes it can benefit our country so please don’t just let it go,’’ Edgar urges young people.
He in the meantime urges the national government to support youths in their endeavour towards different sports they are interested in.
“All I ask for is for the government to support our youths in whatever kind of sports they are interested in so we can show the world that we can do it too,’’ He said.
Edgar clocked 1:00:13 minute and finished in the seventh (7th) position in the first heat behind Nepal, Kosovo, Palestine, Guyana, Bhutan and Maldives swimmers at the recent 2020 Olympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan.
