media_artricles :: 2017

Callender home for ‘Nationals’

Emmanuel Callender, the Jamaica-based Trinidad and Tobago sprinter, is ready for his country's National Open Championships.

Callender is going to that meet, which is set for June 23-25, in consistent form. He expects his preparations in Jamaica will help him to succeed at home.

Now 33, he has run his fastest 100 and 200 metre times since 2012.

"I came across to Jamaica early in October and put in some solid work", said the Olympic and World Championship 4x100 medal winner. "Early in the season, I ran a season's best 46.8 in the 400 metres and I've been running some consistent 10.2s and 10.1s." He has run 10.19 and 20.77 seconds for the 100 and 200 metres, with additional 100-metre times of 10.23 and 10.25 seconds.

"So yes, I'm really fit", revealed the man whose personal bests stand at 10.05 and 20.40.

Callender knows the opposition at home will be fierce. He pinpointed Jereem Richards, who has run 19.97 seconds for 200 metres on the US collegiate circuit, former World Junior finalist Moriba Morain and his national relay colleague Keston Bledman, but is looking forward to racing them.

Coached in Jamaica by Okeille Stewart at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies, the 2008 CAC Championship 200 metres gold medallist said: "There's so much I realise that I have to learn. Being a late starter, not running from the junior level going through Carifta and all those other things, I tend to overthink things. Now, I'm just trying to have fun and try to execute in the race so that when I come to the championships, I can perform."

Third in the 100 at the 2011 Pan American Games, Callender actually has his mind on medals at the 2017 IAAF World Championships, scheduled for August in London, England.

"According to how God gives me His favour and His grace", he prayerfully hoped, "good things might happen this year."

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