REFERRED to as the next big thing to Usain Bolt, Jamaica’s athletics prodigy Jaheel Hyde was honoured by National Commercial Bank (NCB) on Friday when he was given a laptop and a framed picture of the Jamaica Observer’s back page highlighting his recent exploits.

Hyde, 17, not only has the world junior record for the 110 hurdles of 12.96 seconds in striking gold at the Youth Olympics, in Nanjing, China, but he is also the first person to hold all three youth titles in a 13-month period.

The Wolmer’s Boys’ student who represents Jamaica at the Under-17 level in football, won the World Youth Championship in Donestk, Ukraine, in 2013 in 13.13 seconds, then switched to the 400m hurdles at the World Junior Championships in Eugene, Oregon, and obliterated the field in a magnificent 49.29 seconds.

He is the only athlete to win three global titles in successive years at different disciplines and renowned sports journalist Leighton Levy, who was the keynote speaker, has no doubt that Hyde is a future star.

“You are the next best thing since Bolt and that says a lot. At the world youth level Jaheel has the five fastest times in the world. Not one, two, but the five fastest times in the world. Nobody else is close,” Levy emphasised.

“He brings his best performance on the biggest stages and that is commitment, determination and focus and that’s why he excels academically as well as on the track because both complement each other,” said Levy.

Nadeen Matthews, senior assistant general manager, strategy, marketing and communications, NCB handed over the laptop computer, neatly wrapped in a silky blue gift paper and the framed Observer back page after his gold medal run at the World Junior Championships.

“Jaheel, it is such an honour to present these gifts to you in recognition of your athletic and academic achievements. We are extremely proud of you as you can tell and we are excited about the future you have ahead and we want to let you know that NCB will be behind you all the way,” said Matthews.

Meanwhile, Hyde, who is expected to be in action for the Wolmer’s Manning Cup team soon, praised the organisers for their kind gesture.

“I would like to say thank you to the members of NCB staff for taking time out in putting together this function for me and the presentation of the laptop and the picture,” said Hyde, as the gathering of approximately 50 persons, erupted in laughter because the star athlete was not supposed to know what was wrapped in the gift package. But of course his mother, Angella Hussett works at NCB.

“I would like to thank my parents for shaping me into the young man that I am today and I will continue doing you guys proud,” he added.