Mullings awaits 200m challenge in Berlin

Saturday, November 21, 2009 7:13 PM

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BY PAUL A REID Observer Writer

Friday, July 03, 2009

Former national 200m champion Steve Mullings was so confident he would make the team to the 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany, he indicated on the entry forms that he would be available only for the August meet.

Minutes after winning his semi-final of the 200m at the JAAA/Supreme Ventures National Trials at the National Stadium on Sunday, Mullings told the Observer he had no interest in going to the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Senior Championships in Cuba as his focus was only on competing in Berlin.

The former Vere Technical, Barton County and Mississippi State sprinter appeared headed to the 2004 Olympic Games but a failed drug test and a subsequent two-year ban set back his career.

Five years later, Mullings is again on the verge of his first major global meet after placing second to world record holder Usain Bolt in the 200m in 20.40 seconds and fifth in the 100m, putting him in a possible position for a spot in the relay pool.

Mullings said he was competing here for the first time since 2007. "I was here last year but was hurt and so did not compete."

He explained that he "blew out the tendons" in his ankle and had to go to Germany to seek treatment and was not able to train as he wanted.

The Trelawny-born Mullings, who is now under the tutelage of renown coach Lance Braumann, who also conditions Veronica Campbell Brown and American Tyson Gay, says he is fully healed and confident of at least making it to the final of the 200m in Berlin.