Photographing My Daughter in Athletics

Ever since my daughter Jewel started running in school events slightly over a year ago, I have always made sure to be there for her not just for support but more importantly, I’m the guy who always had her spare inhaler in my pocket. Even as she packs one in her bag, I would still carry a spare in my pocket, for good reason. In the unlikely event of breathing difficulties, I would be her closest access to the device as I stood on the synthetic track, photographing her run. These images are from the July 7th 2013 Sukan Kebangsaan Brunei Darussalam meet at Belapan Sports Complex.

All dressed, packed and ready to hit the road — an hour’s drive to Belapan Sports Complex in BSB.

Quick S3 snap with Jewel after her 400m finals in the morning. Also on Facebook.

It is at events like this that my EOS 5D Mark III gets pushed to its limits — 6 fps, 41 cross-type AF sensors and everything else that matter. On the track, lens choice is pretty much the EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS. This lens has been with me for 8 years or so and it still every bit as heavy as the day I started using it.

Runners gather for registration before their event. Here, Jewel acknowledges name call by race official for 4 x 400m event.

Jewel putting on her spikes for 400m run against 2012 Olympian Maziah for the second time along with other more seasoned, nimble runners several years her senior.

Setting up the starting block.

Warm up take offs — Maziah, Jewel (R)

Pictures with fellow sprinters after 400m event …

Jewel first ran against her at the 22nd Panaga Highland Games 2013 and finished with a silver medal. The day — June 22, 2013 — also marked Jewel’s one year anniversary of track training with the Belait Athletics Team.

Jewel and her team mates representing the Belait Athletics team finished third in the 4x400m Women’s Relay adding another medal tally to her growing collection of athletic achievements.

Jewel finishes 22nd Panaga Highland Games with a 400m Silver medal

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Brunei Darussalam National Day Run 2013

Some years back my daughter Jewel ran her first long distance event — a 6 km run starting from and finishing at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in the Brunei capital, an event she was neither trained nor had much preparation for other than the occasional school practice. Back then I wasn’t very much involved with her running as I am today in her athletic training and competition. Cut a long story short, she completed the event and was among the top 30-something students out of what appeared to be a large number of participants from all schools in the country.

Last Sunday, Jewel participated in her second run this time a kilometer shorter which was held right in our home town, Seria. The difference this time she has had eleven months of athletic coaching, having earned several medals in 400m, 200m and 4x100m events, she’s in way better shape than she ever was. The transformation from the weak, migraine-prone asthmatic little girl to the determined athlete she is today, is nothing short of amazing. She is 13, and finished 5th in the Under 17 category.

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Feb 23, 2009: Growing Up With Asthma and Allergies
July 25, 2011: Overcoming all odds to triumph: Jewel’s first 400m event.

Jewel stretching before her 5 km run.

All images: Canon PowerShot G11

Usain Bolt Leaves Behind a Legion of Highly Inspired Athletes

Conventional wisdom says  lighting never strikes the same place twice. At the London Olympics 2012 100m, 200m including 4 x 100m athletics events, USAIN BOLT not only left left his opponents in the dust, he also made history and broke the mould of such wisdom leaving behind a legion of highly inspired athletes around the world. One of such inspired athletes is none other than my daughter Jewel who in recent years developed a passion for competitive running who is also fortunately to train in the company of more seasoned runners in the district. As parents we support her weekly endeavours as long she continues to fulfil her educational and academic pursuits.

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As soon as my daughter went to bed I made this surprise photo montage of Usain Bolt’s finest moments as a source of inspiration and motivation for her training.

Huge congratulations to Usain Bolt for his personal and team Jamaica’s incredible achievements!
The following images © 2012 AFP, AP, Getty Images, Reuters, respectively.