Athletes battling it out in traditional Inuit sports at Labrador Winter Games
It is a display of athleticism and a battle for some athletes to overcome injury at the Northern Games this week in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
"Five months ago, I had emergency open heart surgery, so that was my push and it really helped because I wanted to be here," said Claire Sainsbury, who is attending the games from Cartwright.
The Northern Games, a showpiece of traditional Inuit sports and one of the most anticipated events at the Labrador Winter Games, is mandatory for all participating communities.
Male and female athletes compete in four different games. On Thursday evening, athletes took on the hurdles and the over the rope competitions.
Sainsbury came in second in the female over the rope competition, hauling herself over a painful 30 times, shouting in pain as she fought through a foot cramp.
"Amazing, that's the only word I can say," Sainsbury said.
"It's so good to be here and do good."
Champion reigns
Chantelle Bursey of Labrador City, who also missed out on training because of a herniated disk, beat Sainsbury by only one over.
"I had my No. 1 fan in the audience, my daughter," Bursey said. "I heard her say, 'Mom, come on, keep going' and when she yelled that — do five more —and I punched five more."
In 2016, she set a games record with 44 over the ropes.
"No," Bursey answered when asked if she was trying to beat her record this time.
"I was three years younger then," she said laughing and out of breath..
Overcoming hurdles
In the hurdles event, athletes must jump over a row of 20-inch-high hurdles. They get one shot to jump as many as they can.
Neko Dyson of Cartwright jumped an impressive 162 hurdles at Thursday night's men's competition. He has been training hard after tying for the gold medal at the Northern Games three years ago.
"I really want to [win the gold] this year," Dyson said. "Big practice every night down home."
Athletes compete in all four events and are awarded points depending on how they place. The Northern Games conclude Friday evening, with the final two events: the one-foot high kick and the seal crawl.
More from the Games
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