Keston Bledman will be among the first local athletes to depart for the World Track and Field Championships in Daegu, South Korea when he leaves at 1 pm today. The runner-up at last Saturday’s 100m finals at the Sagicor National Championships will join top female sprinter Kelly Ann Baptiste who left from her US base yesterday. Bledman was among 12 of the 20 members of the national contingent who were introduced to members of the media at the Hasely 1976 Gold VIP Room, Hasely Crawford Stadium, yesterday. NAAA president Ephraime Serrette was in high praise for the athletes on being picked to represent the country. “I want to congratulate all of you and wish you all the best in Daegu. I want to share with you how happy the executive members were on what transpired over the weekend. We want to commend you for the performances. We recognise that this sport is no sport without the athletes, officials and the association. We have to work together.”
Newly crowned national sprint record holder Richard Thompson was also present and told the T&T Guardian that he was honoured to compete at another World Championship. “It’s a good feeling to be at the World Championships again. It is also a privilege to represent T&T,” he said. Thompson is hoping that the team can do better than the last edition of the meet in Berlin, Germany in 2009. “Two years ago when Josanne Lucas and Renny Quow won bronze and the men’s 4x100 copped silver, we showed how strong we are. We hope we would be able to bring home more medals.” Thomson said his 9.85 dash on Saturday was an inspiration to do better. “The sub ten was obviously a confidence booster. I felt it was within me. However it was just a matter of doing it to confirm that my legs can cover the distance in that time.”
Also present were Aaron Armstrong, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender, Michelle Lee-Ahye, Ayanna Hutchinson, Reyare Thomas, Zwede Hewitt, Jarrin Solomon, Jehue Gordon and Deon Lendore. Manager Dexter Voisin, coaches Dr Ian Hypolite, Gunness Persad and Edwin Skinner. The 13th IAAF World Championships will run from August 27 to September 4.
Source: www.guardian.co.tt