Muschett’s Smythe ready to rumble with the big boys
Published:Sunday | January 5, 2025 | 12:13 AMGregory Bryce - Staff Reporter
Muschett High School’s Johan-Ramaldo Smythe, last year’s Boys’ Champs Class Two 200-metre gold medallist, said he is ready to test his mettle against the big boys this season as he makes the step up into his first year in Class One.
Smythe grabbed the headlines last year when took home gold in at the ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships in a time of 21.35 seconds.
The 200m win was a case of sweet revenge for him as he had missed out on medalling in the 100m final by a hundredth of second, placing fourth in 10.56.
“I am ready to show that I am one of the best Jamaican junior athletes at the moment and to prove that I can compete day in and day out with them,” he said.
He said his target for this season is a combination of his desire to medal at Champs as well as to test how fast he can run.
He is hoping to improve on his personal best of 21.19 in the 200m and break the 21-second barrier, as well as lower his 100m time.
“It is half and half for me. I want to do well at Champs but I always want to see how fast I can go,” Smythe reflected. “I am trying to hit somewhere around 10.3 seconds for the 100m and then trying to break the 21-second mark in the 200m this year.”
The sprinter opened his 2025 account on Friday at the On Di Run/Jamaica College Pure WATA Sprint Fest 200 track meet where he placed second in a time of 21.59.
He finished behind Sanjay Seymour of William Knibb, who took the victory in 21.44.
Speaking after the race, Smythe was disappointed with his performance as he felt poor execution near the end cost him the win, and led to a slower time than he would have wanted.
“Before the race started I was a bit nervous because it’s my first year in Class One, so I didn’t know what to expect. The time wasn’t what I expected because when I came off the curve and about 150 metres in, I tightened up so it’s not the time I expected.”
Smythe said his next step will be to return to training and prepare for his next assignment, where he is hopeful for a better performance.