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‘A big step for me’

Clarke humble after booking World Championship ticket in first pro season

Published:Sunday | July 9, 2023 | 12:16 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
Swept Track club’s Roshawn Club (centre) dips for the line and watches the clock as he equals the World Under-20 Record at the JAAA/PUMA National Senior and Junior Championships inside the National Stadium on Friday night. Also pictured is second-placed
Ian Allen
Swept Track club’s Roshawn Club (centre) dips for the line and watches the clock as he equals the World Under-20 Record at the JAAA/PUMA National Senior and Junior Championships inside the National Stadium on Friday night. Also pictured is second-placed Jaheel Hyde (right) and third-placed Assinie Wilson.

NEWLY CROWNED national men’s 400-metre hurdles champion, Roshawn Clarke, is not taking for granted the major leap he has taken in his first professional season, nor the magnitude of what he accomplished on Friday.

Clarke made his first senior global championship team in fine style, clocking 47.85 seconds, equalling the world under-20 record and becoming the second-fastest Jamaican in history, behind national record holder Winthrop Graham (47.60).

It has all come at the age of 19, in a rookie season which has seen him achieve significant milestones, winning the Carfita Games title in April as well as the Austin Sealy award for the most outstanding athlete of the games.

While he knew that he had the capability to produce a blistering time, even he was surprised at what he achieved, knowing that breaking the 48-second barrier is no small feat.

GRATEFUL

“I came out here knowing that I was going to go fast, but breaking the 48 standard is not a simple thing for anyone to do. So I am grateful that I put in the hard work and I am proud of myself,” Clarke said.

“I knew that I was in that kind of shape. It was just for me to unlock that different side of me and get that brilliant time that everyone was looking for.”

It was a moment made special as he went toe to toe with last year’s national champion Jaheel Hyde, who spent the last two years as his training partner. The magnitude of the achievement and who he did it against was not lost on Clarke.

“It is a very good feeling because last year I trained with Jaheel Hyde. To come here and to run against him and to win the national title is a pretty good feeling for me and my track club and the whole family,” said Clarke.

Hyde, who will join him in Budapest by finishing second in 48.45, said that if it had to be anyone who bested him to the line, he was glad it was Clarke, knowing his potential.

“I always expected it. training with him, I know what he is capable of. So it is always good to see fast times,” Hyde said.

Looking ahead to his first World Championship appearance, Clarke said he aims to continue the level of consistency that he is on.

“It’s the biggest stage for an athlete other than the Olympics. It’s a really big step for me. You can expect a follow-up of good performances as always,” Clarke said.

“No pressure on myself but some well-deserved performances.”

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com