KC's Darby eyeing 800 metres gold

Kingston College's middle distance star Kristoff Darby is eyeing top spot in the Class One 800 metres at next month's GraceKennedy-ISSA Boys and Girls' Championships.

The spotlight has been shining on Darby since he clocked a personal best 1:54.13 over the distance at the McKenley-Wint meet at Calabar High two weeks ago.

The 19-year-old Darby was nipped by World Championships 4x400m relay silver medallist Javon 'Donkey Man' Francis. Darby led for almost the entire race before he was clipped on the line by Francis.

"It was a very good race and I have been getting a lot of attention since," Darby told STAR Sports.

"I ran my personal best and this was my opening meet of the season and so I was very pleased with the time," he said.

" People are now saying that I am one of the favourites for the Class One 800m title going into Champs, and so it has really boosted my confidence," Darby added.

Darby's time is the second fastest this year behind Spot Valley's Tyrese Reid, who posted 1:53.68 on January 14.