Excelsior’s Hall targets medal for grandad

Excelsior High School's Richard Hall is highly motivated to perform excellently this track and field season for his grandfather, who passed away recently.

Hall produced a personal best of 52.20 seconds to finish second overall in the Class One boys' 400 metres hurdles at last Saturday's Youngster Goldsmith Classics at the National Stadium. He finished behind Kingston College's Antonio Forbes, who did 51.81.

Last year, Hall finished seventh in the Class One boys' 110 metres hurdles and failed to qualify for the 400 metres hurdles final, but has shown tremendous improvement this season.

He also has a personal best 13.63 seconds in the 110 metres hurdles, which was done recently at the Central Hurdles, Relay and Field Events meet at GC Foster College, where he won the hurdles double.

"I am motivated to do well this year as I want to do it for my grandfather, who passed away recently. He was one of my most loyal fans, who always supported me, and I know he is watching, and I want him to be proud. Definitely, getting a medal in my final year will surely make him very proud," said Hall.

He credits the programme at Excelsior High for his vast improvement this season.

"At Excelsior, we do not get great athletes as we have to start from scratch, but with a good programme and an excellent coach, we improve.

"This season, I have shown great improvement with my technique, and right now, I am in the best shape of my life, and I really want to do well at Champs and make the national team," Hall said confidently.