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Rasheeda
Mohammed
The only CariFin
participant in the history of the event to win
three consecutive cross country titles and snap
up four consecutive walking titles in the
process also. She totally dominated the CariFin
Urban Challenge then known as the 4 Part Fitness
Challenge when it debuted in 2001 displaying her
range of skill and fitness by winning the
Botanic Gardens Mini Cross Country, Queens Park
Savannah One-Lap, a 400m sprint and the Aerobics
Marathon. She repeated this feat in 2002. In
this year she took her eventual departure from
our financial services sector.
A remarkable
athlete who no doubt has set herself above her
competition by her performance. She had that
burning desire to excel, a clear focus and a
sense of destiny, when it came to her sport.
Along with the
support, encouragement and guidance of Nickolas
Day, her coach and friend she had a very
distinguished athletic career in CariFin as well
as in the Caribbean Region.
She was the pride
of the institution she represented (Eastern
Credit Union)
and sometimes the envy of every potential female
participant, who would have preferred to taste
of the glory she attained. She always created a
dent in the ego of some male race-walkers.
Hard work,
consistency and self confidence separated her
from the competition at the finish line. An
athlete who has a sense of style, she always
made a strong fashion statement on and off the
course. She was a darling of the media.
CariFin Roving
Reporter caught up with Rasheeda, where now she
resides and works in the USA and had a brief
interview with her.
Rasheeda
Mohammed:
CariFin Roving
Reporter: How does it feel to stand out
among the women in the financial services
sector?
RM: Creating this
impacting first impression just bolstered my
self-confidence, increased the respect I
received from others and gave me an exposure
which aided in carving my personal character
both in the world of sport and the general
society in Trinidad. These benefits worked
synergistically to inculcate a euphoric feeling,
a feeling which, if I am not mistaken, if only
for one moment in time, most anyone would
cherish.
CRR: what
was your strongest motivation over those years
that you won?
RM: My motivation is
inherent in me, it is just loving to win but the
double participation was injected by Nickolas
who gave me the confidence I lacked to pursue
same.
CRR: When
you were at your peak you were phenomenal
(nobody could have beaten you), besides CariFin
what other major successes you had on the
national scene?
RM: In the
Race-walking arena, I had continued to dominate
the OWTU Butler 20K Classic, I had set a new
National Record for the 1500m Track event and
remained undefeated in any other walking event
in the nation. Where distance running was
concerned I had recorded my best 5K, 10K and
Marathon times during this period. I also placed
5th at the Nestle National Aerobics
Marathon in 2001.
 CRR:
some people/participants were openly asking you
to give up competing in CariFin because they
felt you were invincible (no body in the
financial sector could have defeated you) … when
you were at your peak….. Did you think that was
fair?
RM: Though it felt
advantageous, it was the result of hard work and
commitment so I thought that anyone wishing
victory should outdo me rather than expect it to
be handed to them on a silver platter simply by
my retiring. Every focused and determined
individual would have their time, for instance,
now I am absent, someone else reigns.
CRR: In 2002 you came third for the
first time, everyone was surprised…. What
happened then?
RM: Having
accomplished my goal as originally set out of
laying claim on the challenge trophy, my coach
was abroad I redirected my energy to the
National Aerobics Marathon to focus on all-round
fitness and not competitions. I was implored by
my Company to participate even though I was not
training, running or walking.
CRR: What are you doing now in term
of sports and fitness?
RM: Resettling has
caused me to lose 95% of my fitness but the
sting in me still exists and I have started
racing which motivates me to train. So far I
have been in the first three in New York in
their Championship Racewalks. I continue my
pursuit with the hope of representing the USA in
this sport that has taken a ‘nose-dive’ in
Trinidad and Tobago.
CRR: How do you feel to have
participated and dominated at CariFin?
RM: I see it as a
history well created. I
still use the confidence attained as a basic
infrastructure in my day-to-day workouts.
CRR: What
advice do you have to give to young ambitious
female athletes who would like to emulate you?
RM: They must be
willing to lose sleep (Nickolas’ first test to
all athletes…being able to forego love of thy
bed), train against all odds, be it weather
conditions or working with higher levels of
competition to improve. Last but not least, be
humble in pursuit and accomplishment.
CRR: With the high incidence of
diabetes and high blood pressure due to most
instances to an inactive lifestyle, what advice
would you give to employees of the high stress
industry such as the financial sector?
RM: My advice, though
easier said than done, is to find the correct
company and choose any exercise that entails
continuous body movement, be it ‘brisk-walking’,
‘swimming’ or ‘jogging’ which would be the best
way to eradicate stress and induce restful
sleep. Not only would there be a healthier
physique but a more oxygen massaged brain
towards better employees and humans on the
whole. |
