Jamaica will be seeking to return to the top of the medal podium in the boys’ sprints at the World Junior Athletics Championships, July 22-27 in Eugene, Oregon in the USA.
But the island’s two fastest junior sprinters are unsure which events they will line up in Eugene.
Between 2007 and 2010, Jamaica held the distinction of having the gold medal in the World Youth and World Junior Boys’ 100 metres. Dexter Lee became the first Jamaican to win the World Youth 100m title before going on to win back to back titles in the same event at the 2008 and 2010 World Junior Championships.
Jamaica lost the crown in 2012 when Odean Skeen took the bronze in the event in Barcelona, Spain.
Once again it will be difficult task for Jamaica to regain the 100m World Junior title. The American Trayvon Bromelll has already run a world junior record 9.97 this season. But in Jevauhgn Minzie and Michael O’Hara, the country has two very capable junior sprinters.
Minzie has a personal best of 10.16 while O’Hara has posted a PB of 10.19. Minzie, who lost to O’Hara at the National Junior Championships last month, says he is back to where he was at Boys’ Championships.
In fact he says his aim for the 100 metres is a sub-10 second clocking in Eugene. The 100 and 200 metre double is always a tough challenge at the World Juniors. But 18 year old Minzie, who ran a personal best 20.37 for the 200 metres at Boys’ and Girls’ Championships, says he is ready for the double. While Minzie is ready for the 100 and 200 metre work load at his 2nd World Junior Champs, O’Hara is uncertain.
Although he beat Minzie over both distances at the National Junior Trials, O’Hara is eyeing just one flat event in Eugene. And that is the 200 meters, for which he is the World Youth Champion.
But, the big question is, is the 17 year old ready for the pressure of the World Junior Championships?
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Jamaica seek boys" 100 metre title at World Junior Champs
