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Gordon hopes page can be turned after Champs incident

Published:Saturday | April 22, 2023 | 12:54 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
Calabar High School student Khamani Gordon (centre) poses with his mother Andrea Clarke (right) and sister Jayan Gordon shortly after he was presented with gifts from the school and members of the old boys association for his exemplary behaviour during an
Ian Allen
Calabar High School student Khamani Gordon (centre) poses with his mother Andrea Clarke (right) and sister Jayan Gordon shortly after he was presented with gifts from the school and members of the old boys association for his exemplary behaviour during an incident at the recent ISSA-GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium. Khamani did not retaliate after he was confronted by another athlete on the fourth day of the championships. The gifts were presented to Gordon during yesterday’s morning devotions at the school.

While being praised for his cool head in that fateful Class Two 100 metres final at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships, Calabar High’s Kahmani Gordon hopes that the chapter can be closed on the matter, describing the circumstances as unfortunate.

Gordon was recognised by the school body and members of the old boys association during yesterday’s morning devotions stemming from that final weeks ago where he impeded Kingston College’s Nicardo Clarke. Following the race, Clarke confronted Gordon but Gordon did not retaliate. Gordon was disqualified for the violation while Clarke was initially disqualified and suspended for the rest of the competition before he was reinstated along with his points on appeal.

Gordon said that being calm in midst of the incident was just his true nature showing. As for how he managed to veer into Clarke’s lane, he said it is something out of character based on how he was performing all season.

“That is just who I am as a person, so it just came out at that moment. It was a very unfortunate situation because I trained hard all season,” Gordon told The Gleaner. “That has never happened to me before. I can’t explain what happened. I don’t think it was a technique issue.”

PRAISED FOR TEMPERAMENT

For his mother Andrea Clarke who was watching the race from home, the aftermath of the incident was the worst part of the ordeal, especially what was being said about the incident. But she praised his temperament, admitting that many persons, including her would be unsure of how they would have reacted in the same position.

“I couldn’t do anything for two days. I was overwhelmed. People were calling me from all over the place asking if I was there. The worst part of it was when I saw him the last day and he asked if I saw what people are saying, that he did it on purpose. I said Khamani I know you.”

“I would not want to be him right know because I don’t have that patience. I preach it but in a moment like that I don’t know if I can compose myself,” Clarke said.

It was that composure that Calabar principal Albert Corcho praised Gordon for against the backdrop of eliminating violence.

“Things would happen around you but you have to control yourself. Young Gordon has answered the call of Calabar and this is what he have been working on the past two years at Calabar in terms of how we should operate in and outside of school,” Corcho said.

Gordon’s mother has wished Clarke well, hoping that this chapter can be closed.

“They are children at the end of the day, they are not adults yet. That young man react to how he felt in the moment. Maybe I would not have reacted in that way. But I hope everything is alright with him and that is mindset is alright and best wishes to him,” Clarke said.

Believing in a high purpose, Gordon also hopes that the page can be turned and is also looking forward to an improved season in 2024.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com