ATHLETICS. Shawinigan’s Eliot Grenier stood out at the provincial championship held on February 18-19 at the Center Claude-Robillard in Montreal. With a time of 52.52 seconds over 400 meters, Eliot took first place and became the provincial junior champion. He will represent Quebec at the Canada Under-18 Championships, which will be held on March 18-19 in Saint John, New Brunswick.

In addition to his national championship title over 400 meters, the 16-year-old also achieved his personal best over 200 meters with 23.58 seconds.

The Club Zénix representative was on cloud nine when Hebdo contacted him. “My time in the 400 meters has dropped me below the standard to be selected by the Quebec team, it’s still cool! I’m super proud of my achievement. ”

Eliot started athletics at the end of his secondary school, he is currently in secondary school 5 at Chutes School. “I’m basically an athlete. For me, athletics is a family sport that my father did when he was young. In secondary school my school held a regional competition and I wanted to take part in it with my school. A coach from the Zenix club saw my potential and came to see if I wanted to train with them. I started with sprint races like the 100 meters. Then I tried the 300 meters and I had done well. I continued my training with disciplines like the 200 meters and the 400 meters. I like the 400m because it’s not just about speed, it’s about technique and power control throughout the race. »

Shortly before the summer, Eliot will be competing in the Quebec Games and he wants to get his outdoor race time under 51 seconds. “This is my second time doing the 400 indoors in Canada and I want to finish the Canadian Championships with the best time and be the Canadian Champion in my category. »

With his good performances, the Shawiniganais has a hopeful status that will allow him to aspire to the collegiate-level athletic studies alliance. “I applied to study sports at Cégep de Trois-Rivières. I want to perform for an opportunity to get scholarships and maybe even race in the United States where the caliber is stronger. »

And the long-term goals? “The Olympic Games are a big dream! Thanks to my coaches at Zénix Club I still want to perform, I still have a long way to go and I have room to improve. I know I can do even better. »

The young man wanted to thank his parents for the sacrifices they made for him. “They are there to support me in my competitions and my exercises. They drive me three times a week to my athletics training in Trois-Rivières. My trainer, Cédric Tremblay-Fournier, who conducts my training and is there for me by taking care of me. »

His trainer, Cédric Tremblay-Fournier, believes Eliot deserves what is happening to him because of his talent but also because of his work. “Eliot is super brave, even when the sessions are difficult he gives 100%. He has the will in the rock. When I ask him to jump, he doesn’t ask me why, he asks me how high. He got to know each other well over time. He has a zest for life in training, with a smile on his face and a good attitude towards those around him. He deserves all of his success. With the progress he’s made over the past few years, anything is possible at the Canadian Championships. He doesn’t arrive there as an underdog, if all goes well that day he has the potential to be Canadian champion. »

In addition to Eliot Grenier, Shawinigans Étienne Vallières also qualified for the Canadian Championships. He will represent Quebec in the 60-meter hurdles (4th per province), long jump (4th per province) and triple jump.