Thompson Herah ignoring pressure for first World title
Published:Wednesday | February 1, 2023 | 1:10 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
IN THE continued pursuit of a World title, double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson Herah is not putting added pressure on herself in a 2023 campaign where she hopes to cross the last major title off her list.
Thompson-Herah opened her 2023 season by winning the 60 metres at Saturday’s Queens/Grace Jackson Meet at the National Stadium in 7.15 seconds.
The double-double Olympic gold medallist did not reach the heights of her 2021 campaign last year in her first season being coached by her husband Derron Herah, but did come away with an individual world championship 100m bronze medal and the Commonwealth Games sprint double.
When asked about the importance of this season in getting back to the form which saw her clock the second-fastest 100m time in history (10.54), Thompson Herah said there was no difference to previous years.
“Every year is critical. You focus on one season (at a time); even though last year wasn’t the best season, I still have to move past that. I just have to continue to put in the work. Each season speaks for itself and I know this one will be a good one,” Thompson Herah said.
That belief stems from her preparations this year.
“Preparation has been going well. I have confidence in myself as always. Once I complete each day I am grateful. I give God thanks. So I am going to take it day by day, week by week, and month by month. Once I am healthy, I’m good,” Thompson Herah said.
Staying healthy was an issue for her last season, when the fastest womn alive had to manage a number of injury concerns. But with the page turned to a new season, the goal of capturing a world title at this year’s World Championships in Budapest is fuelling her fire.
“It’s the same goal, even though I [have] reset and rewind. It’s the same goal to get a world title which I don’t have. The same goal is just to continue to stay focused and keep working hard to claim that gold in Hungary.”