The 2009 winner of the Rhodes Scholarship, Michael Waul (centre), is congratulated by fellow candidates Jeffery Brown and Racquel Smith when his selection was announced after the final interviews at King's House in St Andrew yesterday. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

After spending half an hour being grilled in an intense interview, 21-year-old Michael Waul yesterday emerged as the 2009 winner of the prestigious Jamaica Rhodes Scholarship.

"Shock" was the only word Waul could use to describe the feeling when his name was uttered over the microphone by Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall. The announcement was made at King's House in St Andrew.

"I am very, very shocked," he told The Gleaner soon after.

But it was no easy wait for the new Rhodes Scholar, who woke up at 5 a.m. to arrive on time at King's House for 9 a.m.

He had to travel from Old Harbour Bay in St Catherine, where his parents live.

Waul was the last of eight candidates to be interviewed for the scholarship. Among the eight candidates were two doctors.

He described the interview as gruelling, but said it was all worth it.

The Campion College graduate attributed his success to his parents, Carlos and Joan, who he said made tremendous sacrifices to finance his education.

Waul is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in biochemistry at Macalester College in the United States.

He leaves for Oxford University in England next year.