Cameron tips Tiffany James for 'breakout' season

Bertland Cameron, the coach of the 2016 World Under-20 championship 400m champion Tiffany James, said that he expects the quarter-miler to have a breakout season as a senior athlete this year, as the former Papine High School standout has been producing some fantastic times in training.

James will be opening up her season this weekend at the Queen's/Grace Jackson Track Meet at the National Stadium in the 200m.

"She is training well, and I am very pleased about her preparation. I like what I am seeing. Her approach is different this year," the 1983 World Athletic 400m champion said.

Cameron said that the times that the 20-year-old has been producing in training is unprecedented for her, but he will be looking closely at the results this weekend, as experience has taught him that training and racing, using football vernacular, are two different ball games.

MAIN PRIORITY

"She is going to run [this weekend] and when she runs, then we will analyse what her performance is," Cameron explained.

James, who is a student at The Mico University College, is currently doing her teaching practice at her alma mater, but this, Cameron said, does not stop the quarter-miler from waking up in the early hours to train.

"She is also a student and she is doing her teaching practice right now at her old school, and she still comes out to practise at 5 in the mornings. So this year, I am hoping that she will really do great," Cameron said.

While the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, England, in March is not her main priority this season, James said that she will attend if she is selected.

"If I am selected I will go but my main priority this season is the Commonwealth Games because I did not have a good season last year because of injury," James told Star Sports.