History-making Anderson hungry for more success
Published:Tuesday | August 1, 2023 | 12:07 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
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IT’S AN ‘indescribable feeling’. Those were the sentiments of Jamaica’s 800 metres runner Navasky Anderson following his record-breaking performance at the DC Track Championships hosted at Thomas O. Berg Track on Sunday in Washington, DC. The 23...
IT’S AN ‘indescribable feeling’. Those were the sentiments of Jamaica’s 800 metres runner Navasky Anderson following his record-breaking performance at the DC Track Championships hosted at Thomas O. Berg Track on Sunday in Washington, DC.
The 23-year-old’s time of 1.44.70 seconds not only helped him to place second behind winner Nigeria’s Edose Ibadin (1:44.65), but also punched his ticket to the World Athletics Championships, erased his previous national record time of 1:45:02, and, more importantly, made him become the first Jamaican 800m runner to dip under 1:45.00.
Anderson stated that while standing at the line before the starter’s gun, he was sure that something amazing was about to happen and was cognisant of the time he had to clock in order to book a spot in Budapest, Hungary.
“I had in mind that the standard was 1:44.70 for the World Championships and the Olympics. So going into the meet, I wanted to be an inspiration for all the youths that have been looking up to me for motivation, and I wanted them to know that Navasky is still here. I knew a personal record was going to come as long as I stuck to the race plan,” he stated.
Anderson, who finished second at the JAAA/Puma National Senior and Junior Championships last month, only managed to secure his spot on the Jamaica team on deadline day, July 30. According to the 2022 national champion, it was divine intervention that led to his latest achievement.
“The spot was secured and that’s the greatest thing. This is not my timing but God’s timing, as I had no control over that whatsoever. All the injuries and battles that came my way were some of the hurdles that I feel that God had put me through so I could’ve overcome them,” Anderson believes.
A blessing in disguise
As for his thoughts on becoming the first Jamaican 800m runner to dip under 1:45.00, Anderson said that his injury-plagued 2023 season could have been a blessing in disguise, as it allowed him to work harder in order to overcome the challenges.
“It’s an indescribable feeling, as I just feel great. I love the support that I’ve been getting from my family, friends and supporters. I just want to keep working hard. The season hasn’t been going great, as there’s been lot of injuries, but I needed that to get to this level. Overcoming those barriers really made me the athlete I am today, and I’m grateful for everything that has happened to me,” Anderson explained.
Having punched his ticket to the upcoming World Championships in Budapest the 2022 Commonwealth Games finalist shared that he’ll remain hungry and focus on the task at hand.
“I’m going to Hungary hungry and will be working hard every single day. I know that I had the potential to do anything that I put my mind to, and it’s great to see my dreams and goals coming through one step at a time,” Anderson shared.