Marching to their own Drumbeat – the rowers who wowed them again at national event
Students from the Drumbeat School in Bromley claimed four medals after another strong showing at the annual National Indoor Rowing Championships.
The school had 12 students taking part on Friday of last week at the Copper Box arena in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with pride of place going to Tyrese Bellinfantie-Tiete, who came first in his category for the second year in a row.
He became the Year 13 boys’ champion after rowing an incredible 634m in two minutes – an amazing feat of strength and sustained ‘sprinting’. It beat last year’s mark of 611m.
Tyrese was also crowned national champion, as his effort beat the best from a companion event taking place in Leeds.
Further glory came in the shape of Kedar Kekeke, who finished runner-up in the Year 13 boys’ event and Paloma Tate, who came second in the Year 9 girls’ competition. Tanya Taha took third place in the Year 12 girls’ race.
Honourable mention is also deserved for Jay McKay-Sherwood, who came fourth by an extremely narrow margin, having made ‘amazing progress’ in the sport, according to Adam Thomas, instructor and PE lead at Drumbeat School.
He told the South London Press: “I am extremely proud of each and every student who took part and raced valiantly representing our school tremendously well.
“Taking part in the championships is a massive honour for our school and we are proud of each and every student representing Drumbeat.
“The event is locked in our calendar and the students look forward to taking part every year. They train so hard and their efforts really do shine through on competition day.
“I am so proud to be one who gets to work alongside these amazing students and lead our team back for another turn at national glory.”
Drumbeat is a special school for pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Revelon Road, Brockley, and the event is a SEND invitational.
Pictured top: Champion Tyrese Bellinfantie-Tiete (All Pictures: Drumbeat School)