Fri | Dec 20, 2024

Anderson promises to lower his 800m national record

Published:Friday | June 24, 2022 | 12:08 AMSharla Williams/Gleaner Writer -
Navasky Anderson leads his 800 metres heat during the JAAA National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium yesterday.
Gladstone Taylor
Navasky Anderson leads his 800 metres heat during the JAAA National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium yesterday.

After winning his semi-final with the fastest time at the JAAA National Senior Championships, 800m record holder Navasky Anderson promises to lower the record he set in May. He hinted, however, that a new mark may not come at this weekend's...

After winning his semi-final with the fastest time at the JAAA National Senior Championships, 800m record holder Navasky Anderson promises to lower the record he set in May.

He hinted, however, that a new mark may not come at this weekend's championships.

“The record will definitely be lowered, (but) I have been having a long season, and if Jamaica expects me to perform at a very high level, they have to take that into consideration,” Anderson said.

Anderson broke the 45-year old 800m national record of one minute 45.30 seconds set by Seymour Newman when he clocked 1:45.02 to put his name in the record books.

He said that breaking the record was a great feeling for him, but getting the record was not a surprise.

“I opened my season with 1:46:51, and when I hit that, I definitely knew that this record was going to be mine,” he said.

He said he is looking forward to lowering his national mark at next month's World Athletics Championships.

“I have to save as much as I can back in the tank to move to the World Championships. I am just here to win,” he said.

Anderson said he has high hopes of performing well at the 18th edition of the World Championships, scheduled to be held in Eugene, Oregon, United States, from July 15–24.

“My entire theme for this year is confidence, and I am pretty sure (and) pretty confident that I will be going into the World Champions final,” Anderson said.

As for claiming his first national title, Anderson said he is under no pressure.

“No pressure, no pressure at all!” Anderson said. “I am pulling my fellow Jamaicans with me because I don’t want to be the only Jamaican on top. I want to,, basically, revive the 800m, bring the younger ones into the field and continue to motivate and inspire everyone,” Anderson said.

This is Anderson's first time competing in his home country since leaving for university in the USA, and he says he is loving the support he is getting so far. He has the fastest time going into the 800m final as he clocked 1:48.24 to win the first 800m semi-finals.

For the final on Sunday, he will be joined by Tarees Rhoden, J’Voughnn Blake, Dugion Blackman, Chevonne Hall, Kimar Farquharson, Tyrese Reid, and Bradon Kerr.