Oberlin’s Buddah ready for hurdles challenge

FOLLOWING HIS record run in the Class Two boys' 400-metre hurdles at the Eastern Athletics Championships, Oberlin High School's Assauni Buddah has no fear ahead of the March 19-23 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships (Champs) as he is ready for all challenges.

At the Eastern Athletics Championships he was a runaway winner, clocking 57.74 seconds to beat his nearest rival by over four seconds. His winning time broke the 58.51 mark set by held by former Port Antonio High athlete Jahmani Smith five years ago.

"I am very happy and pleased about my performance," Buddah after his record-breaking run. "The win and record-breaking performance has given me a lot of confidence ahead of Champs and I am not fearful of my rivals," he said.

Buddah knows that he will have to improve on his time if he hopes to be in at least the final of the event.

"I am very confident that I can go much faster as no-one was able to push me at the Eastern Championships, and with the kind of competition expected at Champs I am positive I can go much faster," he added.

According to Buddah, he did not compete at Champs last year because of some personal issues.

"Due to some personal issues I was not able to compete at Boys and Girls' Championships last year but I am now ready to show what I can do and to put my school back on the map in track and field," he said.