HOLMWOOD Technical’s Omarie Williamson entered the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships with high hopes but little expectation of finishing on the podium. However, on Thursday night, the Manchester native stunned the crowd by securing the bronze medal in the Class One 400m final, running from the challenging lane eight.

Williamson says that his journey to the surprise medal was anything but smooth because he had to overcome a number of challenges in his preparations this season.

“This is a wonderful medal for me because it has been a [testing] season, with a lot of ups and downs, but I still managed to pull through with a bronze medal,” he said.

He stated that his confidence had been growing since the semi-finals in which he ran an impressive 46.9 seconds.

“In the semi-finals, when I ran the 46.9 and I didn’t feel any lactic [discomfort] or anything, I said to myself that, ‘I am not finished yet.’ My coach told me to just dig deep and listen to his instructions, and this is what happened,” Williamson explained.

Running from lane eight, known for being a tough assignment in a 400m race, Williamson highlighted that he had prepared himself mentally and physically to give it his all. “Running in lane eight was very sticky and so I had to run out my heart from start to finish for this bronze medal,” he said.

His performance not only earned him his first individual medal at the championships but also set a personal best.

“I am very pleased with this personal best time and, going further in my career, I will enter my races with a lot more confidence and less nervousness. I just have to keep on digging deep all the time,” he added.

Williamson pointed out that a key motivator behind his perseverance this season has been his uncle, Leroy Bailey. “My uncle has inspired me a lot because he always told me that he didn’t have the background and resources that I have to go forward in his track and field career. He always tells me to continue pushing and never give up as the entire family is behind me, and so that is big motivation for me,” he said.

As he reflected on his moment of triumph Williamson could not help but think about his community of Top Hill in Manchester and his school. “I am very proud and happy, and I can just imagine my community and school celebrating. I am the first big track and field star out of that community,” he emphasised.

— Robert Bailey