BEING CLEOPATRA

Named after her grandmother, Cleopatra Borel was born on the east coast of Trinidad in the fishing community of Palisance Village, Mayaro. Encouraged by her father Raymond, who was an athlete in high school, Cleopatra pursued her interest in athletics from an early age, quickly developing a passion for the throwing events.

Cleopatra has been competing on the international stage for 10 years, with her first success coming at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, where she was placed just out of the medals in fourth place. In 2003, Cleopatra won her first international medal, a silver at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships in Grenada. 2004 saw Cleopatra qualify for and compete in her first Olympics, the Games in Athens, where she was placed 10th in the shot put final.

Cleopatra continued to build on her athletic success. In 2006 she won bronze medals at the CAC Games in Columbia and the Commonwealth Games in Australia. Another bronze at the 2007 Pan American Games paved the way for her second Olympic qualification. She competed in the 2008 Beijing Games where she was placed 17th in the final shot put rankings.

The first international gold for Cleopatra came in 2010, at the CAC Games in Puerto Rico. In recognition of this achievement, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee named her Female Athlete of the Year. Her success continued into 2011, where she picked up a silver medal at the Pan American Games and a gold medal at the CAC Championships.

Cleopatra is currently an assistant coach at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. She works closely with the throwing coach, Gregory Jack, who is also her personal coach. Cleopatra would like to become a college coach in the future. She is conscious of her status as a role model for young Caribbean throwers, a position that comes with being one of the most successful female field athletes from the English-speaking Caribbean.

Cleopatra holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County."

~BP London 2012

Cleopatra's Closet

2012-07-26T00:33:00.000-07:00

Mosaic Embellished Jumpsuit by Opulence

Mosaic embellished palazzo trouser jumpsuit with bust cut out

Topshop

£169

Cleopatra Through the Artist's Eye: Frederick Sandys

2012-07-25T20:30:00.000-07:00

Photo: From Old Books

Cleopatra

Frederick Sandys (1829-1904)

Appeared in the Cornhill Magazine

Cleopatra's Closet

2012-07-24T08:30:00.000-07:00

Ulysse Gold-Plated Braided Necklace

Inspired by the gods and goddesses of Greek mythology, Aurélie Bidermann's gold-plated braided panel necklace will give even the simplest looks instant impact. Show off this adornment to full effect with swept-back hair and a bare décolletage.

Aurélie Bidermann

$1,275

Being Cleopatra: Patricia Velasquez

2012-07-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

Click here to buy The Mummy Trilogy on DVD

Patricia Velasquez being the Cleopatra-esque character of Anck su Namun in the 1999 film, The Mummy

Click here to buy The Mummy Trilogy on DVD

Cleopatra's Closet

2012-07-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

Josey Draped Maxi Dress

Riller & Fount

$173.60

Cleopatra Through the Artist's Eye: Artemisa Gentileschi

2012-07-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

Photo: Onok-Art

Cleopatra

Artemisa Gentileschi (Italian, 1593-1656)

Cleopatra's Closet

2012-07-20T08:30:00.000-07:00

Studded Crossbody

A tribal inspired crossbody featuring a fold over flap with sequin, stud, and bead embellishment

Forever21

$20.80

"Cleo Patra" singing jazz

2012-07-19T08:30:00.001-07:00

Cleo Patra Brown singing Me And My Wonderful One, 1935

Cleopatra's Closet

2012-07-18T20:28:00.000-07:00

Know The Ropes Embellished Brocade Dress

Stellar Australian label sass & bide gives the global traveler aesthetic a super polished spin with this ivory brocade cotton and silk-blend dress. Intricately embellished with eye-catching beads, this notice-me design is the perfect choice for your next event.

sass & bide

$750

Cleopatra Through the Artist's Eye: Gretchen Baer

2012-07-17T08:30:00.000-07:00

Cleopatra

Gretchen Baer

Click here for more info

...and I'm off!

2012-07-16T08:30:00.001-07:00

As many of you may know, when I'm not Being Cleopatra I'm an opera singer. For the next few months I will be trying to further my career in Europe. I will be in Florence, Italy for a month and Germany for two months. If you would like to follow my travels, check out TheDivaDiaries.net

Being Cleopatra has become an obsession of mine, so I hope to continue posting daily on Cleopatra, but my Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter will probably not be updated as regularly.

Thank you for your continued support!

Buon viaggio!!

Being Cleopatra

2012-07-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

Sue Holderness being Cleopatra in part three of The Cleopatras which aired on BBC in 1983

Cleopatra's Closet

2012-07-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

Embellished Silk-Crepe Gown

Exquisitely cut from fluid silk-crepe, Notte by Marchesa's black gown is a spellbinding evening option. Be sure to showcase the ornate shoulder appliqué with an up-swept chignon, adding crystal drop earrings for an opulent after-dark ensemble.

Notte by Marchesa

$990

Cleopatra Sand Sculpture

2012-07-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

Cleopatra Sand Sculpture