Young Smythe eyes Champs medals

IT HAS been a dream season so far for Muschett High School Class 2 athlete Johan-Ramaldo Smythe, who is now looking at bettering his performances from a year ago at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships.

Coached by his father Garth, young Smythe, who was seventh in 100 and 200 metres at Champs, showed sparkling form at the Carifta Trials over the weekend.

Competing in the under-20 boys’ 200 metres, up against Class 1 athletes, he was second in 21.19 seconds behind Wolmer’s Boys’ Gary Card, booking a spot to the Carifta Games to be held over the Easter weekend in St George’s, Grenada.

“Finishing second and making the Carifta team is a dream come true for me as growing up I always wanted to represent my country,” said Smythe.

Young Smythe spoke about his performances so far this season.

“For me, my performances have been great as my preparation was also great. I really want to better my performances of last year when I was seventh in both the 100 and 200 metres,” he said.

After clocking 11.02 seconds and 22.69 then, the second-year Class 2 athlete has made great strides with a season’s best of 10.75 and 20.97 and is looking forward to Champs.

“My first-year experience in the class has helped me and in my final year, I want to be amongst the medals in both events,” said Smythe.

Smythe has the top two fastest times in the 200 metres with 21.19s and 20.97, the latter coming when he won at the Western Athletics Championships.

In the 100 metres at Western Champs, Smythe finished second to Tavaine Stewart of Herbert Morrison Technical in a modest 11.06 seconds.

“I am looking forward to the rematch with Stewart as I have gotten better since,” he said.

The likes of Kingston College’s Nyron Wade and Excelsior’s Malike Nugent in the 100 metres make securing a medal over 100 metres a tough task, but Smythe is looking forward to the challenge.

“The 100 metres will be tough but I am ready to do my best,” he said.

He is looking forward to the challenge from Calabar’s Nickecoy Bramwell in the 200 metres.

“Bramwell is a fine sprinter as he is also a second-year Class 2 athlete, but I am very confident in going all the way,” said Smythe, predicting a sub-20.8-clocking over the half-lap event.

Smythe also said he is under no pressure to perform, bearing in mind that his dad is the head coach.

“I am not under any pressure to perform because I am being coached by my father. All I do is just follow his instructions and execute to the best of my ability.”