AFTER making her professional debut over the weekend, rising Jamaican sensation Brianna Lyston says she’s in a better place both physically and mentally as she sets her sights on a successful 2026 season.

The former world Under-20 champion opened her season in the 60m at the New Balance Indoor Meet in Boston on Saturday, clocking 7.11 seconds to finish second behind Great Britain star Dina Asher-Smith 7.08.

“It was nerve-wracking because I haven’t run since March last year. But I’ve been working, like, a lot off the track with my mental health to come and do what I did,” Lyston said.

The 21-year-old went almost a year without competing, having last raced in March, before opting to turn professional after signing with German apparel giants Adidas, which ended her remaining NCAA eligibility at Louisiana State University (LSU).

It was also revealed that she would be under the guidance of renowned American coach Lance Brauman at the Pure Athletics club in Florida, which is also home to Olympic and World Champion Noah Lyles.

Despite the injury challenges she faced last year, Lyston believes things are gradually improving.

“It’s been better than it was previously. A lot of time was took off the track to get everything under wraps,” she said.

“Just working with coach Brauman, he’s understanding, he doesn’t push you to run if you can’t, so I think that gave me comfort knowing if something did happen, he wouldn’t be mad.”

Brauman says he’s been impressed with Lyston’s development so far but plans to remain patient.

“Just trying to do some good base training and trying to get her strong,” he said. “At the same time, trying to get her to understand that at the end of the day — yeah, we get paid to do this but if it’s not fun, you’re not going to be good at it [so] just learning how to love the sport and I think she’s doing a really good job of that right now and we’ll continue to work on it.”

Although fresh into her professional career, the former Hydel and St. Jago High standout is seen as one of Jamaica’s best sprinters having impressed in the 100m during her time at LSU.

Lyston registered six sub-11 clockings including a personal best 10.84 seconds in April 2024, which made her the fastest Jamaican that year and the 13th fastest of all time.

She has yet to compete at a senior global championship or a National Championship but many Jamaican supporters are eagerly waiting for her arrival, naming her as one of the country’s future stars to take over from the likes of sprint legends Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah.

Lyston is avoiding the public pressure but is proud to be held in such high regard.

“The thing about that is I’m the type of person to take a break from social media so right now, with everything going on in the world, I don’t know what’s going on. I’m not on Instagram, I’m not on
Twitter — I don’t know what’s going on,” she said. “But it is good to be amongst the conversation of up-and-coming athletes. Jamaica is filled with talent so I’m just grateful to be a part of it.”

Lyston says she’s uncertain of her participation at this summer’s Commonwealth Games but will know more after holding discussions with Brauman.

In 2022 in Cali, Colombia, she won the Under-20 200m title, becoming just the third Jamaican in history to do so, joining Veronica Campbell Brown and Briana Williams.