Anchovy High basking in Walters' glory

Paul Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:The Anchovy High School in St James is now basking in the success of its illustrious past student Nicholas 'Axeman' Walters, who gave the school a special 40th anniversary gift last week by being crowned World Boxing Association featherweight champion of the world.

"We believe that this level of international success brought about by Nicholas' win will help to motivate the entire student body at Anchovy High School," said principal, Lambert Robinson. "In fact, the school is experiencing a string of successes in this our 40th year, so we are indeed delighted."

"His win makes Jamaica aware that Anchovy is a choice school and is certainly more than capable of producing world beaters as proven by 'The Axeman'," Robinson added.

Walters, who developed his boxing skills under the astute guidance of his father, Job Walters, is remembered by his former teachers as a well disciplined and model student.

In 2002-2003, he was elected deputy head boy and served as the captain of the school's Headley Cup cricket team and also showed much promise as a track athlete.

"It is easy to say that he was a real rounded person and sportsman who took responsibility well," recalled former vice-principal, Carmen Wint. "Personality-wise, he was a zero aggressive … . Boxing is an intellectual sport. Crazy boxers seldom go far … . He was fully aware of his capabilities."

HISTORY-MAKING WIN

Last Saturday night, Walters created history when he stopped Colombian Daulis Prescott 35 seconds into the seventh round of their 12-round title fight in Kingston to become the first Jamaican to win a world boxing title on home soil.

With Walters' success, Robinson is hoping that it will bring attention to the school's limited facilities for sports development.

"As it is with shift schools such as ours, we are challenged by time and space to carry out these programmes," said the school's principal. "The physical facility here is also a major challenge, but while this is so, we intend to keep going.

"Since he won, there is a great feeling of pride at the school. He is the first student from this school to attain such status, and we all are proud of him," Robinson said.

Apart from boxing, Anchovy has been holding its own in more traditional sporting disciplines such as netball, track and field, and cricket.