Contact: Cherie Lee WIlliams Phone: (310) 215-9792 cherielee@rhubenproject2008.org |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Rhuben williams trains for
Beijing Olympics 08/08/08 Athens, Georgia: In high school Rhuben Williams, was Shot-put city champion for four years, state champion his last two years. After graduating high school he received a scholarship to Cal Berkeley. Rhuben’s career at Berkeley was up and down, despite fighting multiple injuries he still managed to win conference and regional titles, as well as earning all-American honors on two separate occasions. Throughout his collegiate career, Rhuben competed with the elite athletes in the throwing community.
Upon his graduation from Berkeley in 2005, Don Babbitt, the University of Georgia throws coach, invited him to train in Athens for the 2008 Olympics. At the end of the summer Rhuben sold every piece of furniture he owned, loaded what was left into his 95’ Honda Civic, and drove across the country to Athens Georgia where he is now training for the 2008 Olympic Trials with Olympian Reese Hoffa, along with throws Coach Don Babbitt. To date Rhuben has competed worldwide as well as working as a personal trainer to support himself. He has competed in El Salvador, Finland, Ireland, and the Netherlands generally finishing in the top eight when competing. In July 2007, still fighting injury, Rhuben won the gold medal at the N.A.C.A.C. Championships in El Salvador despite fighting a hip injury. Rhuben has been a member of the Powerbar Elite Athlete program as well as making the list of the World Top 20 Outdoor Performance List in 2007.
Rhuben’s post collegiate career has been just as trying as his collegiate career. After the season ended in 2006, Rhuben had surgery on the thumb of his throwing hand to repair the tendon which was 80% torn. The next season Rhuben was able to set a new personal best of 20.07m (65’ 10 ¾”) but still managed to have to undergo another surgery in 2007, this time to repair torn cartilage in his left hip. Working and training keep Rhuben extremely busy. As a semi professional athlete, Rhuben is usually responsible for paying all of his expenses to attend Track meets. Because of this, he has had to by-pass meets, due to financial difficulty. I, his Mom, provide as much financial assistance that I can, but my resources are limited. It is important that our athletes know that they are supported by the community. Training is difficult work, Rhuben trains 4-6 hours daily as well as working between 20-30 hours a week as a personal trainer.
Your support would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to forward any support that you are able to offer to Rhuben Williams, at the P.O. Box 12137 , Marina Del Rey, CA 9.295-3137. You may also checkout his website, www. rhubenproject2008.org. If you would like direct deposit information, please contact Cherie. If you would like to contact Rhuben, his e-mail address is Rhuben@rhubenproject2008.org.
We will keep you informed of his progress as the season begins in full. The 2008 US Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field - will be held at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon beginning June 27, 2008. Thank you for your support, it is greatly appreciated. -End- | 
