He brands himself as the ‘Sub-10 King’ these days and no one can dispute it, as he has posted a record 88 sub-10 seconds marks in the 100 metres. But with seemingly non-stop injury problems and failure to win an individual medal since his 100m bronze at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Berlin, the question was asked: is Asafa Powell losing his appeal on the international circuit? According to his agent, Paul Doyle, Powell remains a big name on the circuit, and while there are some concerns from race promoters about his constant injury issues, his client still has a lot to offer. “Is he (Powell) losing his appeal? No, not yet; of course there is some concern when we do deals with meets and people ask if he is going to show up healthy or if he is going to finish the race healthy, but a lot of athletes have that issue,” said Doyle during a recent chat with The Gleaner in Eugene, Oregon. “But he is still a very big name in the sport and still a very much sought-after athlete,” Doyle underlined. Powell, who celebrated his 30th birthday last November, has had his high points […]
Read More
Until Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell rattled off fast early season times in the 100 metres, the hottest men’s event for Jamaica was the discus. Jason Morgan had extended his national record from 64.11 metres to 65.61 and latterly to 67.15. Almost in response, reigning national champion Traves Smikle came within 9 centimetres of the old mark with a personal best of 64.02 metres. At this year’s Nationals, Smikle came oh-so close with a big winning throw of 67.12. Those marks got Jason and Traves past the Olympic ‘A’ qualifying standards respectively. For the first time in our long and glorious track and field history, Jamaica had two throwers in an Olympic throwing event. Our love affair with sprinting means that those numbers don’t ring a bell to most. The odds are really long on Morgan being recognized in Jamaica by all but the hardiest track and field aficiandos. Yet the 67.15 placed the faceless Jamaican at seventh on the 2012 discus performance list at the time. That’s a fine achievement. His new found world class status hasn’t come easily. Once a winner at Boys Champs for Calabar, he has combined throwing with regular day jobs […]
Read More
Fraser-Pryce delays legendary status until 2016 Motivation was also the keyword for another double gold medallist, Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who insists she can hardly be called a legend like her compatriot, Usain Bolt, but that, “If I win in 2016 and become the first woman to win three 100m titles in a row then maybe I will become a legend.” Having stumbled coming out of the blocks in the London Diamond League and having a slight stutter in Lausanne where she was edged by America’s Carmelita Jeter, Fraser-Pryce admitted there was a problem, but that, “there are still three or more races to work on it”. 2011 was a down year for her – if you can call a year with a season’s best 10.95 a down year – but she insisted it made her more determined: “It set me back really bad, but it motivated me. I became a professional at the age of 21 and every year I get more motivation.” The theme of women sprinters being sidelined compared to the men came up for discussion and though she conceded that Bolt’s world record show was worth the attention: “We work just as hard, we are very competitive […]
Read More
When one door closes you can rest a sure that somewhere another will open. TeamJa.org has connected with the beautiful and talented Shevon Stoddart. We have featured many of our current Olympians but this time we bring to you a former 2-time Olympian who just missed making the 2012 Olympic Team. Shevon Stoddart has an array of talent and you shall soon discover why we are excited to feature her. WHAT DO WE REALLY KNOW Shevon Stoddart is a 400 hurdler for Jamaica. She represented Jamaica at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games as well as at many other international competitions. Shevon was born in Jamaica and grew up in New York. She is an only child born to Yvonne Glenn Barnett who raised Shevon on her own. Shevon states “I am my Mommy’s little girl and I always will be.” She states her mother is very supportive of her and always encourages her to aim high. She would tell me “Giving less than 100% is not good enough.” The array of pictures and multiple youtube video hits proves that Shevon is a model, entertainer, hard worker and someone who gives nothing but her best. THE JOURNEY Shevon has […]
Read More
If you were up early in the morning you saw our very own “likkle but talawah” taekwondo athlete perform some technically sound and sharp kicks and routines against the giant in comparison to himself Liu Xiaobo of China. If you haven’t realized Kenneth “KenMan” Edwards is Jamaica’s first Taekwondo athlete to call himself an Olympian representing Jamaica at the games. Kenneth and his coach Alvin Bernard have journeyed for years using his unyielding and determined work ethic tied up with unwavering faith to push him through doubting times, tons of adversity, blood, sweat and tears to get to this point. His last words before the competition to his fans were: “It’s still yet a number of hours before the start of the biggest moment of my life to date. That same moment which all the hard work, the sacrifices and the blood, sweat and tears; fueled by moments of pain, disappointment, glory and victories, the amazing spirit of you my friends and loved ones who have been there at any point of this epic journey.. I salute you!! Tomorrow I go hard tomorrow is destiny. Team Kenman!!” Athletes in Taekwondo need strength and stamina as well as […]
Read More
THE FINAL ONE Wow, it’s almost done and what a week it was. From Olympic Countdown to Olympic Coverage, who would have thought it would be over so quickly? This Olympic Championship may not be as successful as Beijing, I enjoyed it. My momma always say you can’t win it all. Besides, everybody loves a come back story. There are lessons to be learned from these Olympics. More on that later. THE LAST HURRAH Less you forget it was the men’s 4×400 that would close all Olympic Games and World Championships. All that changed because of one USAIN BOLT. The people dem (in my airport accent) wanted the showman to close the show. Psst. Uunu can change it back to the penultimate day because since carl lewis (common letter were deliberate) L.O.L. a draw Bolt out and since Bolt naah go no weh, I guess he will add 4×400 next year to his medals tally. So carl since you don’t consider him a legend then he will stick around for a while longer so you can continue to talk. HEAVY IS THE HEAD WHO WEARS THE CROWN Is Jamaica under pressure? Will the U.S.A. finally be able to […]
Read More
Top of the morning to you from our studio here in Gypsy Hill. Here’s the 200 meters as I saw it and how you shoulda dida see it. MEN’S 200M POST COMMENTARY After yesterday morning’s disappointment with the men’s 4×400. By God, we needed something to smile about. We needed the sweep a.k.a. the UMBRELLA. The quinella was not good enough. Mi did lend out mi broom but mi have mop and swiffer as back up just in case. Geenie Floor polish self shine was standing by also. [hr] USAIN BOLT I became a Usain Bolt addict at World Juniors 2002 in Kingston. Here’s the cliff note version. Jamaica was hosting the World Junior Championship and 3 days before the close of the championships we were gold medal less. In 2000, at the previous championship in Santiago, Chile we mined 3 gold medals and here we were hosting the championship with no clear star just one bag a supporting players. The gun went off for the women’s 200 meters and Anneisha McLaughlin lead from gun to tape. We had a gold or so we though. She pipped on the line by the British athlete. We were disappointed. […]
Read More
Here are a few of the photographs captured by Bolt, showing fellow Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake joking around, a sea of fans cheering him on, and a wall of photographers trying to capture the moment for their organizations:
Read More
VIDEO: Elaine Thompson Herah CLOCKS 10.65 (MR) in Women’s 100M, ZURICH
