Courtesy of: The Morning News
Paseo Herencia Shopping Mall GM Valerie Pietersz-Camacho and Marketing Manager Candy Rasmijn were very proud to welcome to dynamic young island athletes and their families to celebrate international victories that have merited the young men a place on the mall’s “Wall of Fame.”
The Paseo Herencia “Wall of Fame” is filling up with island youth who have accomplished great things on the playing fields and in swimming pools of the global arena. These athletes have trained hard and demonstrated they have the discipline and heart to “go the distance,” and bring home the medals that make their countrymen proud.
On Thursday evening, it was 14 year old tennis player Patrick Sydow and Gilberto Boerleider, who claimed 3 gold medals and the World Championship in his age division in the martial art of Tang Soo Do.
In December of last year, Patrick earned the Sub-Champion Trophy for under 14 year old tennis players during the International Junior Orange Bowl in Coral Gables, Florida. His parents, Frans, who was also highly seeded on the tennis circuit in his youth, and his mother, Pilar were very proud to see his picture unveiled on the Wall of Fame by Aruba‘s Minister of Health and Sports, Richard Visser and Parliamentarian Donny Rasmijn.
Gilberto’s unveiling was attended by parents and grandparents as well as a representative of the local Tae Kwan Do Association. Giberto’s chosen discipline of Tang Soo Do also originates in Korea, incorporating fighting principles from subak and techniques from northern and southern Chinese kung fu, pre-dating the popular tae kwan do. Gilbert took the Black Belt World Championship title in his age division during the meet in Germany in early June of this year.
Minister Visser introduced the two young men to the audience in the Plaza Padu prior to the official unveiling of their tribute photos. He cited how important they are as role models to other young islanders, “as they demonstrate the rewards of determination and tenacity to excel and be the best you can be, at whatever you choose to do. They embody the philosophy we hope to see all Arubans adopt, of maintaining a healthy mind in a healthy body.”
“We are very pleased to add our this two determined young athletes to our Wall of Fame,” commented Valerie Pietertz-Camacho. “They have accomplished much at very young ages, and we expect more great things from them in the future.”
