Published: Sunday | July 15, 2012 0 Comments
Delano Williams (centre) shows off his gold medal while being flanked by the American pair of Aaron Ernest (left), who won silver, and bronze medallist Tyreek Hill.- Contributed
Ryon Jones, Staff Reporter
BARCELONA, Spain:
Turks and Caicos' first-ever World Junior Championships medal winner, Delano Williams, is keen on joining Jamaica's Racers Track Club.
Williams, who studies and trains in Jamaica at Munro College, won the 200m final at the 14th IAAF World Junior Championships last Friday in a new national-record time of 20.48 seconds.
The University of the West Indies, Mona-based club has an impressive contingent of 200-metre runners, who are conditioned by head coach Glen Mills. These include reigning Olympic and World champion plus world record holder Usain Bolt.
In addition to Bolt, there is Yohan Blake, whose time of 19.26 seconds is next only to Bolt's world record of 19.19 seconds, and Warren Weir, who entered the sub-20 club this year.
"This is their (Turks and Caicos') first IAAF World Junior medal. I am grateful because they have done a lot for me," Williams expressed after his victory.
"I am sure other things can be put in place to ensure I go to a great school and a track club while I am staying in Jamaica."
He added: "Well, actually, (I want to join) Racers Track Club. I have seen tremendous talent there and performance. Warren Weir, for example, he just took up the 200 metres this year and ran 19.90 (19.99 seconds), that's spectacular. That (Racers) is a 200 metres club, so I think I might be leaning to that club."
TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING
Williams revealed that his triumph was the result of a two-year plan following his failure to make the final at the 2010 championship staged in Mocton, Canada.
"I didn't even make the semi-final. I ran 21.56 (seconds) and got beat out of the semis by 100th of a second by a Venezuelan guy. I will never forget that," he expressed, while crediting his development to Jamaica.
"I want to say thanks to the Turks and Caicos Federation; they brought me here. Thank you, very much, I really appreciate it," Williams said. "I want to say also 'big up' to Jamaica. They have done a lot for me. I train and study there, so if I didn't run in Jamaica, I wouldn't be this fast. So thanks to Jamaica and I will be back soon," he added.
Williams intends to go back to the Turks and Caicos to spend time with his family, including his twin sister, before returning to Jamaica to begin upper-sixth form studies at Munro.
"I am not really going to celebrate. I just want to get back to Jamaica. I really love that place."
He is also looking forward to making the transition to the senior level, having failed in his bid to make this year's British Olympic team.
"This is like a pool, so I have to go in the ocean and see what I can find," Williams stated. "I know it is going to be harder, but if others can do it, I know I can do it as well," he added.
ryon.jones@gleanerjm.com
Delano Williams (centre) shows off his gold medal while being flanked by the American pair of Aaron Ernest (left), who won silver, and bronze medallist Tyreek Hill.- Contributed
Ryon Jones, Staff Reporter
BARCELONA, Spain:
Turks and Caicos' first-ever World Junior Championships medal winner, Delano Williams, is keen on joining Jamaica's Racers Track Club.
Williams, who studies and trains in Jamaica at Munro College, won the 200m final at the 14th IAAF World Junior Championships last Friday in a new national-record time of 20.48 seconds.
The University of the West Indies, Mona-based club has an impressive contingent of 200-metre runners, who are conditioned by head coach Glen Mills. These include reigning Olympic and World champion plus world record holder Usain Bolt.
In addition to Bolt, there is Yohan Blake, whose time of 19.26 seconds is next only to Bolt's world record of 19.19 seconds, and Warren Weir, who entered the sub-20 club this year.
"This is their (Turks and Caicos') first IAAF World Junior medal. I am grateful because they have done a lot for me," Williams expressed after his victory.
"I am sure other things can be put in place to ensure I go to a great school and a track club while I am staying in Jamaica."
He added: "Well, actually, (I want to join) Racers Track Club. I have seen tremendous talent there and performance. Warren Weir, for example, he just took up the 200 metres this year and ran 19.90 (19.99 seconds), that's spectacular. That (Racers) is a 200 metres club, so I think I might be leaning to that club."
TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING
Williams revealed that his triumph was the result of a two-year plan following his failure to make the final at the 2010 championship staged in Mocton, Canada.
"I didn't even make the semi-final. I ran 21.56 (seconds) and got beat out of the semis by 100th of a second by a Venezuelan guy. I will never forget that," he expressed, while crediting his development to Jamaica.
"I want to say thanks to the Turks and Caicos Federation; they brought me here. Thank you, very much, I really appreciate it," Williams said. "I want to say also 'big up' to Jamaica. They have done a lot for me. I train and study there, so if I didn't run in Jamaica, I wouldn't be this fast. So thanks to Jamaica and I will be back soon," he added.
Williams intends to go back to the Turks and Caicos to spend time with his family, including his twin sister, before returning to Jamaica to begin upper-sixth form studies at Munro.
"I am not really going to celebrate. I just want to get back to Jamaica. I really love that place."
He is also looking forward to making the transition to the senior level, having failed in his bid to make this year's British Olympic team.
"This is like a pool, so I have to go in the ocean and see what I can find," Williams stated. "I know it is going to be harder, but if others can do it, I know I can do it as well," he added.
ryon.jones@gleanerjm.com
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