Champs title defence earned through pain

Clarendon College’s Jamelia Young expressed mixed emotions after successfully defending her title in the girls’ Class Two shot put at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) at the National Stadium yesterday.

The 16-year-old Young, who entered the event as the favourite, produced a winning throw of 14.71 metres to secure her second consecutive gold medal in the discipline, having also topped the field last year.

Holmwood’s Shamanda Wilmot finished second with 14.39 metres, while Excelsior’s Alyssa Forrester took third with a mark of 14.22.

Despite her victory, Young noted that the achievement came under challenging circumstances, as she competed while managing multiple injuries.

“I am thrilled and I am super excited because I was in a lot of pain going into this final,” said Young.

“I am battling a back injury and a shoulder injury as well, and it was very tough going out there to compete in the final.”

Young credited her support system for helping her push through the discomfort.

“However, with the encouragement of my coach and a past student, who texted me before and told me that despite the pain I was feeling, [I should] just go out there and give my all; and that is exactly what I did,” she said.

Young added that her build-up to the championships was also mentally and physically demanding for her.

“It was really rough coming into Champs because there were a lot of late nights and I wasn’t eating a lot, as I was stressing about the whole competition, but I just kept believing in myself and stayed calm and focused,” she said.

“I am happy that I got the gold medal. I wanted the record, but I am still grateful for the gold.”

Young stated that she hopes her triumph will serve as motivation for her teammates as the championships continue.

“I am hoping that gold medal will help to inspire the rest of my teammates to go out there and do their best so that we can get more medals, and more points as well,” she said.