William Knibb’s Seymore inspired to honour dad’s passing

FOR SOME track and field athletes, motivation comes in various ways. But for William Knibb Memorial High School's Sanjay Seymore, the death of his father is what fuels him to want to perform at his best going into the ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships. The five-day event begins today at the National Stadium.

The 17-year-old, who will be competing in the Class One boys' 200 metres at Champs this year, has a personal best of 21.09 seconds.

"Last year in December my father died so it really motivates me and pushes me every day to strive to be the best version of myself," Seymore said.

"He would push me to do my best so losing him fuels me to want to be the best when I get on the track. My track team, my family and coming to training every day is what helps to push me as well. It feels good just seeing them being supportive," he shared.

Seymore, who also competes over the 100m and 400m, plans to redeem himself after failing to win a medal last year, when he clocked 22.55 seconds over the half-lap event.

"In every track meet this year I recorded a personal best so at Champs the aim is to do that as well. I am expecting to medal of course and my objective is to win," Seymore expressed.

While competing this season, the versatile Seymore clocked 10.7 seconds in the 100 metres at Western Champs, which is his personal best, and in the 400m he clocked 48.45 at the McKenley/Wint Track and Field Classic at Calabar High School. He also recorded 21.44 over 200m at Sprint Fest at the Ashenheim Stadium, Jamaica College, and 21.09 seconds at Jamaica's Carifta Trials.

He expects that it will be competitive at Champs this year.

"I expect a challenge from everybody this year. You don't know who is going to come so I find everybody as my competitor. I just need to listen to my coach so I can execute," Seymore reasoned.

"I have been preparing though and training has been going well so far, (there are) no major obstacles in my way to hold me back," he added.

Attending the same school as sprint legend Usain Bolt, Seymore says he feels compelled to live up to the icon's name and execute.

"I feel like I have to represent by just going to the school he went to. Usain Bolt has been helping out the track team with various things," he admitted.

"A few weeks ago, he donated two million dollars to help us with Champs. That is another thing that really motivates me to push hard," Seymore said.

As there is no synthetic track on which to train and compete in western Jamaica, Seymore spoke about the difference.

"Coming from the west and not having a track like Jamaica College and Calabar, I train on the grass. Every time I train on the grass and come on the track it is kind of a new thing that makes me feel better."

Continuing he added, "If I run on the dirt track and I run like 20- or 21 seconds low, when I run on the track I run faster."

His love for track and field all started during his days at primary school, and since then it has never stopped.

"I am very passionate about track and field. It is something I want to continue pursuing even after high school. When I am on the track, I just have to get myself mentally prepared and focused. I have been training from last year for this moment. I think I have done everything already so it's just to see what I can execute at Champs," Seymore said.

ashley.anguin@gleanerjm.com