‘I left it all on the track’

EVEN AS he made history by becoming the first Jamaican to compete in a men’s 800-metre final at the World Athletics Championships, Navasky Anderson also broke into unchartered territory, setting the new national record at one minute, 42.76 seconds (1:42.76).

Anderson ran the race of his life, the men’s 800m final where he would finish seventh.

Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi took the world title in a new championship record of 1:41.86, ahead of Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati, 1:41.90, and Marco Arop of Canada, 1:41.95.

Speaking after the race, Anderson said he was proud of his performance and was confident he would be able to compete against the best the world had to offer.

“I think, for me, it was a superb performance,” he said. “I’m grateful for my performance tonight; 1:42:76. I knew I had it in me. I knew I could pull it off. I knew I could run with these guys.”

Anderson had pressed for the win throughout the race and kept pace with the leader for its majority.

Coming into the homestretch, Anderson was within touching distance of the podium, but faded in the final 100m.

He did not regret his decision to keep pace with the race leaders, explaining that his race strategy was to keep close to the front of the pack to give himself a chance.

“I wanted to give myself the opportunity to go out there and fight for a medal, so I had to give myself that chance tonight,” he explained.

“I didn’t know if I was going to pull it off, it was a very risky situation but I came off with 1:42.76 seconds and I can say I gave it my all tonight. I left it all on the track and I’m grateful for that performance,” Anderson continued.

“I could have stuck around in the back and try running from the back but I needed to give myself the opportunity to go out there and fight for a medal. As I said, that was my goal when coming out here today.”

He added, “ I might not have won the medal today but I won many hearts today.

While becoming the first Jamaican man to compete in the world 800m final, he also became the first Jamaican to dip below the 1:43.00-second barrier.

He took almost a second off his own previous national record of 1:43.72, which he had run in the semi-finals to advance.

Anderson, however, vowed he will not be resting on his laurels, as he will be aiming to lower the national record.

“I’m grateful for that national record. I can tell you for sure, it will be short-lived until next season,” he promised.

“I’m going back for it over and over again.”

“It’s definitely a breakthrough year and it basically sets up a very awesome story to come. Whether it’s Budapest in the World Ultimate Championships or the Diamond League circuit, or whether it’s LA 28 coming up, it sets a wonderful storyline for the greatness which is to come.”

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com