Jamaica’s newly minted 800m star Navasky Anderson continues to impress after he broke the national 800m record at the World Athletics Championships currently underway in Tokyo, Japan.
Anderson, who is the only Jamaican to have made it to an 800m semifinal of the World Championship, clocked an impressive 1:43.72 minutes that placed him fourth with the fastest non-automatic qualifying spot, finishing behind Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi (1:43.18) and winner Mohamed Attaoui (1:43.18) of Spain. His time bettered fellow countryman Tyrice Taylor, who previously set the record at the NACAC Championships earlier this summer.
“It’s a great feeling knowing that I came out here and proved to the world that Jamaicans are also good in the middle-distance events,” Anderson was quoted by Track Alerts after the race. “I went into the race with one of the slowest times, but that meant nothing to me, just to go out there and prove to myself and the world that Navasky Anderson is one of the best out here.”
Anderson’s dad, Andrew, who lives in the Bronx, NY, celebrated his son’s success with pride.
“I am very proud of him, man,” Andrew told Caribbean National Weekly. “Can’t believe I produced such a good product.”
Asked when Navasky first showed interest in track & field, Andrew shared, “When he was a little boy…you know what I’m saying. He was always very determined, even as a little boy. To see him competing with the very best in the world and representing Jamaica makes me very happy. We are all extremely proud of him.”
Asked about his very unique name, Andrew shared, “It is his mother who came up with that name.”
Navasky’s grand uncle, Henry Anderson, a retired New York Con Edison employee, celebrated his impressive run, telling Caribbean National Weekly, “I’m ecstatic that my grandnephew came in 4th in the semi-finals. Hard to believe he is the first Jamaican to achieve this feat. I believe other Jamaicans will want to run the 800 m now, which is dominated by athletes from East Africa. This is a step closer to the podium,” Henry said with a smile. “He is hungry for more, and trust me, he is going to get there.”
Henry disclosed that Navasky is not the only member of the Anderson family representing Jamaica at the World Championship in Japan.
“My niece Leah Anderson, who is Navasky’s second cousin, competed in the 4 x 400 mixed relay last Friday. I actually went to the Jamaican Olympic trials in Kingston last year to see both of them perform. I helped arrange for both to meet since Navasky lives in Jamaica and Leah lives here in the USA,” he said.
