(Newswire.net — June 4, 2014) Singapore, Singapore — Singapore American School (SAS) junior Salvador Norton deMatos competed in October 2013 for the Singapore National Junior Rowing team at the 19th Asian Rowing Junior Championships in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, which was once a part of the former USSR.[i]
“As it was the first ever International Rowing event held in Samarkand, as well as the first Asian Youth Olympic Games Qualification Regatta, it was an historical moment in the development of Asian Rowing and Uzbekistan rowing in particular,” stated Secretary General of the Asian Rowing Federation, Ken Lee.
Since he saw his first Youth Olympic Games rowing competition five years ago, Salvador has risen to the top of Singapore’s junior rowing community, competing at the world level. Last fall he travelled to Samarkand for competitions. There were about 130 athletes, of both sexes, from some 20 nations present, all under age 18.
“On my trip, I had not only come to realize, but in fact experienced, unity through sport,” Salvador shared. “The camaraderie between athletes of different nationalities, ethnic and religious backgrounds was refreshingly innocent and pure.”
He continued, “That’s when it occurred to me that, for most, if not all of the rowers, race, politics, and nationality become secondary, and that all of us, be it Iranian, Iraqi, or North Korean rowers, were united by the love of the sport of rowing and the sheer joy of just being there.”
“Sure, we all wanted to win but, from what I saw, not at any cost. From what I witnessed, coaches from different nations offered advice to one another, helping each other out. It seemed they all wanted to win a fair race; all this for the greatness of the competition. And this gives me great hope,” he added.
SAS High School Principal Tim Stuart remarked, “We are very proud of Salvador’s achievements. He is a great representative of our school and our larger Singapore community.”
Established in 1956, the school primarily serves the American and international expatriate communities of Singapore. SAS is registered with the Singapore Council for Private Education, affiliated with the Office of Overseas Schools through the U.S. Department of State, and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
For more information about Singapore American School visit www.sas.edu.sg.
[i] [i] With gratitude to the SAS website’s ‘Perspectives’ participant Salvador Norton deMatos for his contributions.