HAVING recovered from tendonitis in his knees, 2005 World Championships 100-metre silver medallist Michael Frater is hoping to remain injury-free as he prepares to open his season at the eighth JN/Jamaica International Invitational (JII) on May 1.

“Earlier in the season everything was good, but then I had a slight injury in January, February, which is why you didn’t see me competing at the local early meets like the Grace jackson Invitational,” Frater told the Sunday Observer.

“It was some knee tendonitis which was very painful, which put me off the track for a little over a month,” the Olympic and World Championship 4x100m relay gold medallist disclosed.

“But since then, I’ve gotten over the injuries and I’m getting fit right now and just raring to go,” he added.

Frater, who clocked a season-best 10.02secs at National Championships on June 27 last year, is hoping for a fast time when he faces compatriots Yohan Blake and Nesta Carter, as well as American Darvis Patton.

“It will be my first 100 metres of the season. This is just a year to have fun and just compete at a high level and… run fast times,” Frater reasoned.

The organisers of the JII meet are also anticipating fast times in the men’s 100m.

“I think the times because of the nature of these individuals will force an outstanding race and we’re hoping that the time will be under even 10 seconds,” said Olympic 200m gold medallist Donald Quarrie, who is the athletes’ liaison for the meet.

The 27-year-old Frater who crashed out in the semi-finals of the 100m at last summer’s World Championships in Berlin, is currently the sixth fastest Jamaican ever with 9.97secs — behind Usain Bolt (9.58), Asafa Powell (9.72), Carter (9.91), Blake (9.93) and Raymond Stewart (9.96).

“Right now I’m just trying to execute a very good race and I know as long as I execute a proper race, then the times will follow,” Frater said.