Welcome home U.S. BMX National Champion 2009!

by Rosalie Klein

Shanayah with her #1 winners plate & a trophy taller than her

Shanayah Howell of Aruba, a tiny-ten-year old girl, is setting new records in the competitive world of BMX bicycle racing, and has just returned home after literally leaving all competitors behind to win the title of United States National BMX Champion 2009, in her age division. This achievement is all the more remarkable to BMX racing veterans and pundits as this little girl from some unheard of island in the Caribbean “blows away the competition” and proves nearly undefeatable, and more seasoned riders in complete awe.

On Monday evening, September 7, Shanayah returned home triumphant to the Reina Beatrix International Airport with her father and coach, Alan, after winning the first place trophy in what is considered the ultimate BMX national competition, the Grand Nationals in Louisville Kentucky. This event is the grand finale of the circuit considered the “pinnacle of racing” by the National Bicycle League, (NBL); only the best qualify to compete. After sweeping the field at the Gator Nationals and the Easter Classic, which took place in Florida in April, Shanayah had, after only six races and perfect scores, acquired the overall points needed to qualify to compete in this past weekend’s championship races. This placed her with an equal point score to the NBL leader Destiny Broughton of Ohio, who needed eleven races to qualify.

“It was our strategy from the beginning to have her qualify as quickly as possible,” explains Alan Howell, “It is very expensive to travel back and forth to the States for these competitions. By qualifying early we knew she didn’t have to compete anymore to go for the Grand Nationals. Last year she won first place, but we did not realize we could also enter her scores to qualify as overall U.S. Champion, this year we also went for the big title.” 

Shanayah, coach Alan, and a supportive family

              Shanayah began BMX racing internationally in 2006, and has taken home the first place trophy in her age division in nearly every race in which she has competed. Winning the title this year of U.S. National Champion is particularly encouraging, as she had suffered disappointment during the finals of the UCI BMX World Championships held in Adelaide, Australia in July. Twice the UCI World champion, in 2006 and 2007, she placed third last year, but was determined to regain her championship status in 2009. Unfortunately, when her primary competition, Asian champion Saya Sakakibara of Japan and her teammate Sae attempted to box Shanayah, it resulted in a crash where the three became entangled and Shanayah’s bicycle was irreparably damaged. The other girls limped to the finish line in the last places and Shanyah could not finish the race; though disappointed, she put on a brave face for the bleachers as she left the track.

At home with her dozens of trophies and awards

 “When the final races at the Grand Nationals took place last Sunday in Louisville, Destiny was the favored contender,” Alan recalls, “She had much greater leads than Shanayah against the rest of the field in all her previous races, but coaches and other bikers didn’t realize that Shanayah was saving her best for last. When she came up against Destiny, by the second stretch she surpassed any performance seen at the races by any of the racers till that time, she left Destiny and the rest of the field further behind with a longer lead than any of the contenders achieved previously. Shanayah showed them that just when you think she has given her all-you haven’t seen anything yet!”

                One thing that Shanayah and Alan love about competing in the U.S. is the great sense of sportsmanship shown by their American competitors and their coaches. “When Shanayah won, they came and hugged her and congratulated her on a great performance; never mind that someone who isn’t even from the U.S. took their title, they appreciate talent and love a champion,” commented Alan. “Many coaches who have been in the game for a long time have told me they have never seen such a natural talent for biking as Shanayah, and she has great spirit and determination. Unlike the others, who are out their with their teammates, she is on the field alone, with no one to watch her back, so she has to take a really good lead and keep it to win. The only fans she has to cheer her on are the family when they can join us for the races, but usually it is only me.” Despite such obstacles, this diminutive dynamo earned an overall point score that is more than double to the biker in second place, after competing in only half the number of races. Exciting video footage of her spectacular win can be seen online at: http://www.go211.com/u/nblgrandnationals2009. Look for the “Girls Finals,” and then choose “10 year old Division” to see the race.

Both Shanayah and Alan expressed their gratitude to all the sponsors that assisted her on her path to the 2009 championships, particularly their main sponsor, New India Assurance Company. On September 10, she is going to visit all the San Nicolas schools in a program sponsored by Malta Balashi, to demonstrate that island youth can participate in sports and be top contenders, while maintaining excellent grades at school. Shanayah likes to be a winner at everything she does!