THE year 2023 on the World Athletics scene was full of excitement, exciting events, and plenty of spills and thrills. Antonio Watson’s scorching 400-metre performance at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, was one of these unforgettable sporting feats.

Without a question, Jamaican’s performance in the one-lap contest on August 24, 2023 was unique, amazing, and exceptional. In an explosive sprint in the straight that drove the large crowd to its feet, and millions watching and listening around the world to the edge of their seats, Watson made history that elevated not only himself, but also the sport.

Watson, who won gold in the boys’ 400m event at the 2017 World Youth Championships in Athletics in Nairobi, Kenya, finished in 44.22 seconds, ahead of Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith in 44.32 and Quincy Hall of the United States in 44.37.

After the great Bert Cameron won the 400m race at the first World Championships in Helsinki, Finland, in 1983 Watson’s gold medal was the first for a Jamaican in the event in 40 years.

With a time of 44.13 in the semi-finals Watson, a former star of Petersfield High School, tied Nathon Allen for the third-fastest Jamaican 400m time ever — behind only Rusheen McDonald (43.93) and Akeem Bloomfield (43.94).

Last week the 22-year-old Watson was named the 2023 National Sportsman of the Year for his outstanding accomplishment. He expressed tremendous happiness, citing his parents’ presence as a contributing factor.

“I’m extremely happy. This moment is very special to me because my mother and my father were here to witness it and so I am extremely happy,” he said.

Watson talked about the memory of hearing the national anthem while standing on the podium in Budapest in 2023, reflecting on his incredible exploits over that season.

“For me, last year was a dream season because, as a high school runner coming up, there were a lot of meets and events that I wanted to attend, and I actually went there and performed to my best each and every time; also, coming home with the world title. Of course this also brings back memories of Kenya, where I actually won my first world title, so it’s just a lot of memory replaying, replaying over and over,” he said.

Watson said he is focused on the upcoming national trial and the Olympic Games in Paris, and remains humble and hungry for more as he wants to dip below 44 seconds.

“Things are looking good at the moment. As the Coach [Glen Mills] said, we just need to stay focused and stay grounded, and that is what I’m actually doing so things are on the right side. It’s a bit more hectic [this season] but that’s what it is for and so I’m just going to push through each and every time.

“For me, I’m just remaining humble; and I’m still hungry because I don’t have an Olympic title yet. I’m still hungry for that one, and I’m also just trying to stay focused because, you know, with the world title there’s a lot of pressure added — pressure from fans and family members — and so I’m mentally stable right now. It’s looking good. My objective is to dip below 44 seconds,” Watson explained.

Watson said competition leading up to the Olympic Games is uncertain.

“Well, as the season looks to me, I’m not really sure yet… So for me, I’m just going to wait and see what the coach has planned as we haven’t had that talk yet about the circuit. We mainly have training and just staying focused during and outside of training time, but whatever the coach says, that’s what I’m going to work with,” Watson said.