Nkrumie elated with historic 100m record despite imperfect execution

Newly-crowned Champs Class One 100m final record holder Bouwahjgie Nkrumie has declared that his execution of the event was imperfect despite the historic achievement.

Nkrumie became the first schoolboy in the history of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, which started in 1910, to run a sub 10-second sprint, stopping the clock at 9.99 seconds (0.3mps).

In the process, he became the third junior in the history of the sport to achieve the feat and he also smashed the Champions (10.12 seconds) and National Junior Records (his own 10.02 seconds).

“The race wasn’t 100 per cent executed because that wasn’t the aim, it was just to get a good start, transition through the drive phase and … because you can’t go faster once you reach top speed at 60m, it was just to hold the form, but it wasn’t executed properly, but I am grateful for a nine-second victory,” he said as he tried to control his emotions while wiping away tears.

He added: “I have to be grateful knowing that the journey has been rough ... I’m very emotional but I have to be grateful… just expect better from me for the future.”

Bouwahjgie Nkrumie had earlier in the semi-finals indicated his readiness to create history when he lowered the Champs record with a comfortable 10.08 seconds clocking, and in the final he produced his usual bullet start and though clear of the field from early out, he kept looking to his right which means he could have gone faster had he so desired.

“This will definitely give the team an extra drive for the next step and definitely we will see something good. This is a booster for the team and you will see them perform at their best going forward,” the captain said of the defending champions who were in second place at the end of day two on Wednesday.

Nkrumie now believes his mark will take some beating in the years to come, and though it was his stage to shine, he spared a thought for silver medalist Deandre Daley who clocked a personal best of 10.14 seconds.

“It’s going to take something special to break it and as you can see I’m very proud of Deandre Daley, knowing he had an injury and to come away with a big personal best, I’m very proud of him.”

The KC standout plans to turn his attention to the senior level at the end of these championships.

“Definitely you have to aim big. After Champs it’s the big guns time, so let’s see. I’m positive and confident that I will make the team .