1 month ago
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HAVING BOOKED her spot on the Jamaican World Athletics Championship team for the umpteenth time in her career, sprint icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce described the achievement as a “full-circle moment” as she now turns her attention to closing out her stellar career in spectacular fashion.
Fraser-Pryce raced to 10.91 seconds for third place in the final of the women’s 100 metres at the National Junior and Senior Championships at the National Stadium on Friday night.
She finished behind the newly crowned national champion Tina Clayton, 10.81, and Shericka Jackson, 10.88.
The race was also a special occasion for the sprint legend as it represented her final time competing at the National Stadium.
“Closing out at the National Championships is wonderful,” Fraser-Pryce said. “I have to give God thanks for tonight, only He could have done this.
“I came out here knowing one thing I had on my side was experience and I know it’s never over until it’s over. I’m grateful for that fighting spirit and that spirit that says once I step to the line, then I’m ready to go.”
Her third-place finish means she will be competing at the World Championships for the ninth time since her debut in 2007 where she had competed as a member of Jamaica’s relay team in Osaka, Japan.
With this year’s championships to be held in Japan, she believes it is special to close out her career where it had all started.
“For me, I’m just excited to be on another team and look forward to going to Tokyo,” she said.
“A lot of persons wouldn’t have known but Japan is where I actually started my first senior championship, so it’s such a full circle moment to go back to Japan and I’m just really excited and grateful.”
Fraser-Pryce was the toast of the night as she was given a rousing applause at the National Stadium following her final race on Jamaican soil.
She was especially happy to see several members from the Waterhouse community in the stands cheering her on before, during, and after the race.
“Big up Waterhouse! Big up Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Drive with a ‘y’!” Fraser-Pryce joked.
“I’m feeling good. They haven’t really seen me race, so I think today was fitting to have them here supporting me. You hear how dem loud and dem haffi have the people a tell dem to stop the noise.
“I’m really glad that they were able to come out and support because I’ve always said from day one, Waterhouse and Ashoka Road made me. They were always my first fans and they stuck with me and been here.”
Despite her achievements, the veteran sprinter is aware she is not in her best form, but will be taking the time to ensure she heads to Tokyo ready to take on the world.
The five-time 100m champion, and 16-time World Championship medallist, said there is always room for improvement in her race execution.
“It’s a big deal [to run] 10.91 and I’m not race sharp. For me, I’m really, really excited. It’s a long season, so I get to go back and put some things together and look forward to Tokyo.”
“For me, I think there is still room for improvement but this is a big plus for me. To know that things weren’t 100 per cent but I did what I needed to do and I’m on the team, so I gave myself a fighting chance.”
With her swansong appearance now lying months away, Fraser-Pryce said her goal will be to represent Jamaica with pride for one last time.
“For me, I never count myself out. I’m always grateful to God for the talent and the desire and sheer grit and determination that He has given me. I’m looking forward to representing Jamaica again for one last time,” she said.
“I have a goal and I have a task and I have a job to do and that’s to come out here and to run my race. Everything else is noise and I have to block that noise out to get to my race and do my best. After that, then I can marvel in the celebration and look forward at what’s to come.”
English (US) ·