The track season is already in full swing as it is an exceptionally busy year culminating in the London Olympics in July.
Brandon Johnson is only 16 and too young to qualify for these Games but even as a novice the youngster looks capable of being world class if he puts his mind to it and a chunk of luck comes his way injury-wise. He was the fastest 300 metre runner at the Truman Bodden Complex track last Saturday in the George Town meet.
The 200m is his specialist event and he has high hopes this season, aiming to run an impressive 21.5 seconds. “With no injuries I think I can get a 20.8 seconds,” he claimed. No lack of self belief then.
Johnson only took up track seriously last year having played basketball and football before. “I prefer track to other sports because you push yourself, you don’t have to rely on team-mates to win that medal. I hope to qualify for CARIFTA next year, I’m not ready for it this time.” If Johnson doesn’t pursue athletics full-time he hopes to become a medical doctor.
Coach Kenrick Williams said: “I think Brandon is a tremendous talent. He has all the attributes of a great quarter-miler and reminds me a lot of Herb McKenley, the great Jamaican quarter-miler.
“Brandon thinks he is a 100m or 200m runner but I think his forte is 200m and 400m, like the great Michael Johnson. Brandon’s nose, build, mannerism, the way he looks at you, talks with confidence and running style reminds me of Herb McKenley and when I was one of his students and he was my mentor.
“He definitely has all the attributes to emulate Herb. This is the first time that I’ve seen someone who I can say reminds me of one of the all-time greats. He just looks like a Usain Bolt too, he has that type of ability. I know he wants to be a doctor but I want to get the 400m out of him first before he does that!”
Of the other notable performances, Taj Yen was outstanding in the sprints, Jonathan and Andrew Frederick were exceptional in the field throws, Jeavhon Jackson ran well, Alexandria Terry made a welcome return in the discus after an absence of a year and Tahj Lewis was impressive in the 800m.
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