Frater sure of Daegu spot... Experienced sprinter sends warning shot to doubters

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

AFTER romping to a silver medal run in the men's 100 metres event at the 2005 IAAF World Championships in Helsinki, Michael Frater is aiming for a top three finish this weekend at the JAAA/Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships, as he hopes to represent the country once again in the event at a major championships.

While he may not be at the top of most people's list of favourites at the upcoming trials, Frater believes that his experience will serve him well, despite him not being the fastest option for the country.

Frater is only the fifth-ranked athlete in the country this season in the event, after posting a personal best 9.94 seconds at the Prefontaine meet in Eugene, Oregon several weeks ago, but who cares, he certainly doesn't.

"I am not concerned about what people say or about my competitors because as long as I am healthy I will do my best because this trials is not about running one fast time, because there are three rounds and it will not be a walkover for anyone," said Frater, who stated that his teammate Powell will also run a fantastic time at the meet.

"Some of us in the field have been there and done that and we know what it takes to do well at the meet and definitely our experience will be vital here. It is not only about physical ability and running fast one time, because mental approach to the event will also be a factor as you will have to know how to gauge yourself for the three rounds," he continued.

"This is not the first time people have doubted me and I have always come through and when the dust is cleared I know I will be there... I am ready to go," Frater added.

This week's showdown is expected to be the most competitive 100 metres event ever at the National Senior Championships, with six athletes who will be competing having already gone under 10 seconds. Usain Bolt, the seventh member of the club will not be competing and Frater, who was upset last year in the event by Oshane Bailey, is hoping for something special despite the depth of the field.

"My preparation has been great and for the first time in years I am very healthy going into a National Championships and I am very excited. With so many athletes in Jamaica going under 10 seconds the Championships should be at the highest level and I am well prepared for the task ahead," said Frater, one of the most experienced athletes in the field.

Not concerned

Many experts are giving Frater little or no chance to be among the top three or even in the relay pool, but the man who has also been a member of the team when Jamaica won the 4x100 metres relay at the Beijing Olympic Games in world record time and last year at the World Championships in Berlin, is not concerned about what the doubters are saying.

"My chance is just as good as any because this is the first time I have ran so fast so early in the season and I am not predicting what time I will run, but I know that I will run fast enough to be in the top three in the final," Frater added.

Recently, his coach Stephen Francis made a bold statement that this will be a breakout year for his charge and come later down in the season, he will be in the top three in the world.

"For the first time in five years, I am healthy and I am in great shape and that's the reason why he made that statement," said Frater in response to Francis' prediction.