There is no doubt that Michael O’Hara is enjoying life at Racers Track Club. The former Calabar standout is poised to make a smooth transition as he prepares to launch his professional career at the inaugural Racers Grand Prix.

Having exhibited superb form and tremendous potential on the high school circuit at the ISSA Boys’ and Girls’ Championships over the years, O’Hara believes there is no limit to what he can achieve under the guidance of sprint guru Glen Mills.

But, for now, his objective is to execute efficiently and come out injury-free from the Grand Prix scheduled for June 11 at the National Stadium.

The former World Youth 200-metre champion will be among a line-up of a host of stars to include triple World and Olympic champion Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and world 100 metres hurdles champion Danielle Williams.

Reigning 400 metres World champion Wayde van Niekerk, along with Americans Lashawn Merritt and Jason Richardson and Trinidad and Tobago’s Kelly Ann Baptise are among those expected to add some overseas flavour to the meet.

“I am just going out there to do my best, and hopefully it will be a fantastic time for me to see where I am at right now in the season. I don’t really have a time in mind, but I am just looking to run a good race to see where I am at, and as coach and I go along we will see what happens,” O’Hara told the Jamaica Observer while at a Racers silent auction at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel recently.

The 19-year-old, who has personal best times of 10.19s and 20.45s in the 100m and 200m, respectively said he is relishing the opportunity to train alongside and learn from two of the world’s fastest men in Bolt and Blake.

“It is every athlete’s dream to be among some of the world’s fastest men and it’s a very surreal feeling that is hard to explain. They keep encouraging me to stay focused and never to get complacent because it is a different atmosphere and a different programme.

“So the moment you drop short you will fall behind. So they tell me to remain focused, stay healthy and have fun,” he revealed.

And while admitting that the preparation phase and the training at the club dubbed “The Capital of Excellence”, is much more intense than he is accustomed to, O’Hara is determined to succeed.

The University of the West Indies (UWI) student declared that his acclimatisation to the programme is taking shape.

“I am just getting ready to start my professional career since leaving high school and the training is now going really well. It is very hard for me to keep up with people who are faster than me, but I am staying focused and [aiming to stay] strong physically and mentally,” he reasoned.

“At Racers, it is all about staying in shape and getting your technique right. You can win a race with a strong body, but without technique it will fall apart. So for me it is all about training hard and working on the technique in specific areas,” he added.

Among his other accolades at the youth level are a Medley relay victory at the World Youth championships in 2013; 200m and 4x100m relay bronze at the World Junior Championships in 2014, and a fourth-place finish in the 100m at the World Youth Championships in 2013.

—Sherdon Cowan