For fans and followers of national youth squash player Shomari Wiltshire, the genius tag to describe his sprawling efforts on the squash court will amount to little or no debate. He is that good.
At age 15, Wiltshire has demonstrated his dominance locally, regionally and internationally.
Off the squash court, you can barely notice him which is in stark contrast to when he wields his racket where his shy, unassuming demeanor changes. He produces drop shots – some marginally above the tin – and others on clear areas on the wall which makes you ask yourself: ‘how did he get that there?’
It’s hard to imagine what his age group competitors go through when competing against him.
To peek into his mind, Stabroek Sport chatted with the youngster about his goals for 2019 following his stellar performance in the year gone by where he captured a number of titles across the spectrum.
Wiltshire was asked whether it’s boring and lonely being at the apex of local and regional squash.
“No, not really,” he said as he assured that his motivation to compete is in no way dulled by the inadequacies of his peers.
“There are players who are above and better than me so it’s necessary that I keep training and working hard so I can surpass then to get on the senior team also.”
His inspiration and aspiration, he added, are simply to keep growing as a squash player fused with the desire to win gold at every junior Caribbean level. He already has two at both the under 13 and 15 levels and is well on his way achieving that feat.
Quizzed about his ultimate goal as a squash player, the Queen’s College student indicated that he isn’t eager to become a professional squash player.
However, the plan is to ascend to the number one seeded senior player in Guyana while pursuing a career in accounting.
“Well, I don’t think I’ll go pro because I don’t think it will benefit me financially but I plan to continue to play for Guyana (Commonwealth games, Pan Am, Senior CASA) in an effort to push squash further in Guyana.”
Wiltshire, who is one of top candidates for the junior sportsman of the year 2018, will lay an impressive case when the awards come around.
In 2018, he won a staggering four local titles. His success began in May 2018 when he captured the Woodpecker Products junior national U-15, U-17 and U-19 squash titles to start the year well.
The young man continued his form regionally, where he clinched for the second year running, the junior Caribbean under – 15 squash title (gold) and was instrumental in leading Guyana to silver in the team’s event which took place in Jamaica in July.
One month later, the Guyanese defeated Robert Avram to claim another gold medal – this time on the international circuit – after competing in the Newport Steamer Summer Gold Tournament in Rhode Island, USA.
He capped off 2018 by winning the annual Farfan & Mendes Junior Skill level squash tournament in November to secure another local title.
In 2019, he is aiming to add to his back to back Caribbean under 13 and 15 gold medals when he competes in the Caribbean event at the under – 17 level in Trinidad in just a few months’ time.
Wiltshire, who will be writing CSES exams in 2020, is currently being sponsored by Rainforest Water and Dunlop Sports.
