JAMAICAN women’s sprinter Tia Clayton says she is unconcerned about talk of stepping out of her twin sister Tina’s shadow, and is instead focused on developing greater mental fortitude to pave the way for a successful season.

Tia, a second-year professional athlete at the Stephen Francis-led MVP Track & Field Club, kicked off her season with an impressive 7.22 seconds. Her time secured overall victory in the women’s 60m event during the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association Puma Fuller/Anderson development meet at G C Foster College of Physical Education and Sport in St Catherine on Saturday.

Her sister Tina, the World Under-20 100m champion, claimed second place in 7.29 while third went to Sada Williams, also from MVP, in 7.30.

Tia said she is a lot stronger mentally and more focused this year, compared to last.

“I don’t think that I am in the shadow; it’s just that I was not always mentally strong enough. But this year I am mentally strong, and if I continue to be mentally strong then I am expecting great things from myself,” said Tia.

She pointed to a shift in mindset and increased dedication to training.

“I know that I was mentally weak but now I am mentally strong, and I am working very hard in training this year,” Tia added.

Confident in the positive impact of her newfound mental strength, Tia believes it will translate into faster times on the track.

“I used to doubt myself when I was mentally weak but now that I am mentally strong I am telling myself that I can, even when I think I can’t. So, I just have to continue to motivate myself and we will see what happens,” Tia, who attended Edwin Allen High in deep- rural Clarendon, said.

The 19-year-old, with a personal best time of 11.23 in the 100m, highlighted that she has made several lifestyle changes, including her approach to nutrition.

“Last year I came to town [Corporate Area) and I saw all these fast food places, so I used to eat them a lot! But now, I know how to manage myself – and I am doing that a lot better this year,” she said, while emphasising that a more disciplined approach to her diet is a crucial element in her pursuit of peak performance.

Navigating her second year as a professional athlete, Tia, a former high school standout, expressed satisfaction with her ability to cope with the demands of training.

“I am coping well this year because last year was very hard as it was my first year as a professional athlete. Now, I am coping well and so I am expecting great things from myself.

“I am feeling very great because I crossed the line without an injury, and it was a nice race overall,” she concluded. Meanwhile, Rohan Watson from MVP captured the men’s 60m event with a time of 6.67. His teammate Nishion Ebanks was second in 6.68 while third went to Jevaughn Whyte from G C Foster College in 6.69.