James wants gold - National champion 'determined to win medal' at World Juniors

THREE years ago, Tiffany James, then a student at Papine High School, picked up her first major medal in track and field while competing for Jamaica at the World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine, as she finished third in the girls' 400 metres in 53.56 seconds.

Now, James, who skipped her final year at the ISSA Boys and Girls' Athletic Championships - where she took silver in the Class One 400 metres last year - to attend The Mico University College, is on a mission to win gold at the World Junior Championships next month in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

James has shown tremendous improvements under the guidance of former World Championships 400m gold medallist, Bertland Cameron.

She made a big statement on Sunday at the JAAA Supreme Ventures National Junior Championships by scoring a big win in the Under-20 girl's 400m final to book her ticket to the Championships. James beat the outstanding Junelle Bromfield in a personal best 52.06 seconds.

She is now ranked fourth on the IAAF list and looking forward to Poland.

"It is a great feeling to be crowned champion In the 400 metres, and I came out there with the aim of winning. I did just that and I am extremely happy," she said.

NOW MUCH STRONGER

"This has been my best season in the event as each time I run it gets better and better and the reason for this is the motivation I get from the people around me and also I am now much stronger," she added.

Asked about her comprehensive victory over Bromfield , James explained: "I am getting much faster this season and I knew that my good early speed would have helped me as I have been doing some crazy times in training and I was prepared for that and when Bromfield tried to respond late in the race I knew also that it would have been difficult for her to get back because of my improved strength."

James failed to make the finals two years ago at the World Juniors in Eugene, Oregon, but is very confident that things will change this time.

"I did not make the finals two years ago, but this time around, I am very determined to win a medal, moreso the gold," said James, who does not regret leaving high school one year early.

"Training alongside senior athletes has really helped in my improvement, and I have no regrets not doing my final year in high school, and I want to let my fans know that I am ready to do something special in Poland."