Gold medal winner Clarke says season is going ‘as planned’
ROSHAWN Clarke came into the Carifta Games as one of the heavy favourites to land gold in the Under-20 Boys’ 400m hurdles, delivering in fine style on the second day of the games at the National Stadium in Kingston.
Running for Jamaica for the first time at the National Stadium, he was able to fulfil one of his main ambitions for the season.
“There were a lot of emotions because my mom is in the stands, seeing me in Jamaica colours for the first time in person, so there were a lot of emotions,” he said after the win.
His teammate Rayon Campbell, who was expected to push him all the way for the gold medal, pulled up on the backstretch and was unable to finish the race. Clarke admitted that this affected him slightly and left him with a twinge of disappointment.
“Yes, it threw me off but I had to keep my focus and get the job done — for me and him.
“It brought a lot of joy but I was really wondering about my teammate because I didn’t see him cross the line with me…and we were hoping for a first and second and we didn’t do that so, I am a bit disappointed.”
There is more international competition on the horizon for Clarke, who is hoping for at least one more medal for Jamaica in 2022.
“Hopefully I will make the team, go there and get a medal, and make my country, family and friends proud.
“My season is going as planned. My coach explained a lot of things and it’s coming into place, slowly but surely.”
After winning the gold Clarke celebrated two of Jamaica’s senior track and field athletes — Jaheel Hyde and Tyquendo Tracey — and he explained what is meant to have them in his corner.
“I have learned a lot of things from Jaheel Hyde and Tyquendo Tracey; they help me to stay focused and think positive and always do my best.
“They give me a lot of motivational speech, and that really helps me. They are really happy for me because in training I told them I am going out there to make this club that we are very proud and my friends and family.”
Despite the win, Clarke knows that he still has work to do and knows exactly what he needs to work on going forward.
“I am working on my hurdling technique, my strides in-between, because I shuffle a lot on the backstretch…just those little things,” he explained even as he basked in his glory of winning his first Carifta Games gold medal.
Clarke will be looking to make his second World Athletics team for Jamaica later this year.
— Dwayne Richards
