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National athlete Navasky Anderson has set his sights on September’s World Athletics Championships finals after he broke the national 800-metre record recently.
Anderson set a national record of one minute 44.61 seconds at the Mission Run Baltimore High Performance meet on June 8, 2025, lowering his previous record of 1:44.70.
While he is happy about the record, he says he is hoping to make the final in Tokyo.
“I want to make the final. I’ve been close before but, this year, the aim is to go all the way and compete among the best on the biggest stage. I want to show that Jamaican middle-distance athletes can make their mark globally, not just regionally,” says Anderson who did not advance to the 2023 World Championships 800m finals, but won bronze in the event at the Pan American Games the same year.
Anderson still has another hurdle to clear, as he is yet to make the championships’ automatic qualifying time of 1:44.50.
With the JAAA National Trials being set for next week, Anderson has another chance to get this time and lower the national record once more. But he says his mind is not set on a time right now.
“The goal is always to improve and compete at the highest level. I’m going into Trials with a mindset of execution, and, if that results in breaking the record again to meet the standard, then so be it. I’m preparing for that possibility, and I hope to give the fans something special to witness.He said there are some key factors that have contributed to his improvement in performance.
“Consistency in training, a renewed mindset, and trusting the process have all played major roles. I’ve stayed focused, eating right, recovering properly, and being surrounded by people who believe in the vision. I’m also motivated by purpose, representing Jamaica and showing that middle-distances can thrive just like our sprints,” the former St Jago High and Mississippi State runner said.
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