Nkrumie answers his critics

by

March 30, 2023

Photo

Kingston College’s (KC) Bouwahjgie Nkrumie celebrates after winning the Class One boys’ 100 metres final at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium last night. Nkrumie became the first Jamaican schoolboy to clock under 10 seconds for the event, when he recorded 9.99 to establish a new record.

Jamaica College’s (JC) Uroy Ryan enjoys his victory in the Class One boys’ long jump at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium last night.

United States of America Ambassador to Jamaica Nick Perry (second right), Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left) and GraceKennedy’s CEO Don Wehby (right) celebrate with Kingston College’s Bouwahjgie Nkrumie after he won the 100 metres in 9.99 to set a new ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships record.

He kept his promise and silenced his critics, and now, Kingston College's (KC) Bouwahjgie Nkrumie is the fastest schoolboy Jamaica has ever seen.

Nkurmie won the Class One boys' 100 metres final last night at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships, becoming the first schoolboy to go under sub 10 seconds, clocking 9.99. Nkrumie bettered the 10.08 time he clocked in the semifinals to break Zharnel Hughes's 10.12 mark, lasting since 2014. Herbert Morrison's DeAndre Daley was second in 10.14, and Jamaica College's (JC) Jaiden Reid third in 10.26.

Nkrumie said he was motivated to prove to Jamaica and himself that he was capable of the record-breaking performance he targeted.

"I'm really happy that I did it, to let the people who were saying, 'he has peaked', to not be that type of guy and motivate and be positive about your own Jamaican. Let us see and hope for better for the young future of Jamaica," Nkrumie said.

Nkrumie said that he envisions a bright future from here after a long, difficult road, which included disappointment in last year's final with poor execution in the race.

"The journey has been rough. If only some athletes in the high school area had the mindset I have, they would be so fantastic. I'm happy to achieve this time, and it is only going to get better from here. I wasn't pleased with the execution in the final again. That was the reason why I lost last year, but definitely, I promise you, I will get it together," Nkrumie said.

In the Class Two boys' final, it was a heated contest which eventually went to Calabar's Shaqaune Gordon, who took the gold medal in a time of 10.40, followed closely by St. Elizabeth Technical's (STETHS) Tremaine Todd, who took the silver medal in 10.42, while JC's Dontae Watson captured the bronze medal in 10.72.

The final turned ugly as a confrontation ensured between KC's Nicardo Clarke who came fifth, and Khamani Gordon, who came eighth which required both athletes to be separated.

Over in the Class Three boys' 100 metres final, KC gained maximum points as Joshua Spence took the top spot following his 10.92 seconds clocking. JC's Malique Spence finished second in a time of 11.01, while STETHS's Shaun Lewis took bronze in 11:08.

Michael-Andre Edwards and Euan Young gifted the title-chasing Jamaica College their first medals in a first and second finish in the Class Two boys' long jump final. Edwards had a final best jump of 7.29 metres, well clear of teammate Young who was second with 7.03 with B.B.Coke's Anthony Hall third with 6.87.

JC lead after eight finals with 74 points while Kingston College are in second with 61 and Calabar third with 29, rounding off the top three.