SPRINTER Kishane Thompson, who emerged as a rising star in 2023, is now setting his sights on another remarkable campaign in 2024. With his stellar performance as the fastest Jamaican in the world last season in a time of 9.85, Thompson burst onto the scene at the National Championships last summer, clocking an impressive 9.91 in the heats of the 100m.

However he did not report the following day for the semi-finals as his MVP coach, Stephen Francis, said that the plan was always for him to run one race at the National Championships. In fact, Thompson’s time of 9.85 ranked him as the sixth-fastest man in the world in 2023, following Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes’ time of 9.83.

The 22-year-old Thompson is setting ambitious goals for the 2024 season, fuelled by a determination to push himself to new heights.

“The plan for this year is to go harder than ever, and to stay healthy, and to show you guys what I can do,” Thompson said.

He says he is grateful for the breakout year he experienced in 2023 and says he is confident that, little by little, the world will witness the full extent of his capabilities.

“I am pretty grateful for what happened last year — because most people would say it is my breakout year — but I am here now and little by little you guys will see what I am made of,” he said.

However, despite the heightened expectations that come with success Thompson says he is under no pressure this year.

“There is no pressure on me at all this year because mentally, I am stable,” he said.

Thompson has acknowledged the inevitable trials and tribulations of an athlete’s journey and has asserted the importance of holding his own this year.

“Yes, most certainly I can run a lot faster. Because seeing the little that I did and I made the most of it, I am very optimistic that I can do more now and the results are going to be greater,” he said. “Injury-wise I am good. I am far better now than last season, and we are managing it.”

Reflecting on the progress he has made in 2023, Thompson remains optimistic and eager for the challenges ahead.

“I am very optimistic and very eager this year, and I can’t wait to see what I can do.”