Forte still learning how to run the 200m

EUGENE, Oregon:

AS HE moved through the mixed zone the look on Julian Forte?s face, his body language, told the story. The Jamaican was not happy with the 200 metres he had just completed at the Prefontaine Classic.

He was beating on himself, the way persons convinced of their capabilities sometimes act on a shortfall, after a 20.41 clocking that landed him fifth.

?Not too pleased with it, I thought I would have run a better time than that. But it?s one of those things that come with the sport and I?m taking it one race at a time,? offered the University of Technology (UTech)/MVP-conditioned speedster, who had done fairly well on the circuit in his lead-up event.

second-place effort

He came into the race on the back of a second-place effort at the Shanghai Diamond League, timing 20.36 in a close-up with Panamanian Alonso Edward, 20.34, with his Jamaican counterpart Nickel Ashmeade, third in 20.44.

Forte though has gone a lot faster, 20.19 in a season that he opened sharply. Yet, though it matters greatly, fast times are not the only targets, with the young athlete building towards National Championships to earn a place on Jamaica?s squad to the World Championships.

?I?m working on perfecting how to run it (200), so it?s just one of those things that comes with the sport,? Forte outlined. ?I?m working on getting it as close to perfect as possible, I?m working on that.

?I?m going to go through with my coach, see what he?s saying and take it from there. So he?ll let me know,? the former Wolmer?s Boys? sprinter said, referring to brothers Stephen and Paul Francis, who direct the club and institution?s coaching.

evens his

personal best

Saturday?s field included one of the fastest male athletes last and this year, American Justin Gatlin, who topped up his 100m 9.74 with another 2015 world lead, 19.68 seconds, which also evens his personal best.

?A lot of these guys in this field can do amazing things, so it?s a good experience to run against that type of competition,? noted Forte, who moves onto Rome, Italy for Thursday?s Pietro Mennea Grand Gala Diamond League meet.

Result: 1. Justin Gatlin (USA) 19.68, 2. Anaso Jobodwana (RSA) 20.04, 3. Nickel Ashmeade (JAM) 20.18, 4. Isiah Young (USA) 20.24, 5. Julian Forte (JAM) 20.41, 6. Curtis Mitchell (USA) 20.44, 7. Alonso Edward (PAN) 20.63, 8. Gil Roberts (USA) 20.88.