Gardiner, a Legitimate Challenger to World 400M Record of 43.03 Steven Gardiner Is in Rare Into a Top Talent, Rev
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28 - SPORT 28 THE FREEPORT NEWS Thursday, May 10, 2018 SPORTS Gardiner, a legitimate challenger to world 400M record of 43.03 Steven Gardiner is in rare into a top talent, Rev. Anthony company. He is in uncommon Williams, sees the world record territory. Gardiner has gone un- in the future der 44 seconds twice, the last Coach Williams calls for more “I believe he might go after time, just about a week ago in it next year, not this year. He Dohar, Qatar. The 43.87 for an is picking up very fast. He just easy Diamond League 400 me- needs to maintain himself. I ters first place gave Gardiner a would advise that he go after the meet, stadium, and national re- government sports funding record next year. I don’t know cord. what they have planned. He goes into this weekend’s “I don’t know what he and has Diamond League event in coach have in mind, but my ad- Shanghai, China as the leading vice would be to focus on the 400 meters runner in the world world record next year. and is definitely a marked man “Of course, you don’t know for the other elite competitors. what will happen when van They know that other than just Niekerk comes back and they a tough foe to come up against, hook up,” said Coach Williams. but he is getting better and On Wednesday, Coach Wil- stands as a legitimate challeng- liams also took the opportunity er for the world record of 43.03, to throw out a challenge to the now held by South African government. Wayde van Niekerk. “The Bahamas Government Although he is indeed the should help this young man world record holder, van out (more). Look what Steve Niekerk, when healthy figures has done. The Bahamas Gov- to be hard-pressed when he ernment should celebrate this steps up to the Bahamian. The young man. He has the ability next time, van Niekerk will be STEVEN to do really great things and if clashing with a much more con- he gets the right financial as- fident and improved Gardiner GARDINER sistance, the country would than the runner he comfortably be quite proud of him and his out-paced when he won the gold achievements. I feel strongly at the IAAF World Champion- about that,” said the coach who ships last year. Gardiner took is based in Moore’s Island at his second for the silver, a few days homemade sports academy. following an exhausting semifi- Gardiner was Coach’s Wil- nal in which he clocked 43.89. liams’ prized pupil. He has The native Abaconian has es- come a mighty long way. Only tablished himself as a global 12 men in history have travelled star, one that is still rising. He the 400 meters distance faster looks to become entrenched as than Gardiner. Certainly, the one of the all-time best, and not “The Bahamas Government should help this government should revisit its just flash for a few years. young man out (more). Look what Steve has financial program for elite ath- It is noteworthy that 2018 letes. Gardiner is a tremendous marks the 50th year since done. The Bahamas Government should cele- commodity. Americans Lee Evans and Larry Meanwhile, the expectation is James eclipsed the 44 seconds SPORTS brate this young man. He has the ability to do re- that the 22-year-old will sim- standard for the 400 meters in ply move on from strength to 1968. Indeed, half a century lat- ally great things and if he gets the right financial strength on the world stage, as er, Gardiner is poised to do what assistance, the country would be quite proud of one of those very unique athlet- no other Bahamian has done, SCOPE ic products that come along just achieve a world outdoor track him and his achievements. I feel strongly about once in a while. record. (Tommy Robinson and Danny Smith held the 300 yards that,” said the coach who is based in Moore’s and 50-yard high hurdles indoor BY FRED STURRUP Go Steven! marks, respectively). Island at his homemade sports academy. • To respond to this column, The man who discovered Gar- ~ Coach Rev. Anthony Williams kindly contact Fred Sturrup at diner, coached and nurtured him [email protected]. CLASSIC ON THE WAY—The 2018 Fredrick Bastian Track and Field Classic takes place June 2 at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex. Expected to be in competition among the top junior and senior athletes are Shaquiel Higgs pictured above, left, pictured above, center Michael Mathieu, and Correy Sherrod, pictured right. (TFN FILE PHOTOS) Top juniors and seniors expected for upcoming track and field classic passed away a few years ago. show from them. The juniors, alive is well worthwhile. will look to field all-star relay “We’ve been trying to push the SHAYNE STUBBS Current head coach, Jason here and from all around The “Nothing is easy but I feel it’s teams during the meet to stretch event to make sure that we get FN Sports Reporter Larrimore met with this dai- Bahamas should also put on a worth the struggle. We just try the competition, going up that support. We get the support [email protected] ly this past Wednesday to de- good show as well.” to keep pushing forward regard- against some of the relay teams from the athletes. We have a tail what residents could expect The meet is expected to fea- less, because I never had it easy. coming from the United States. lot of athletes that said they are Once again the top junior from the upcoming meet. ture races in all sprints, middle But it’s become like breathing “You’ll also have Corey Sher- coming. We have Road Runners and senior athletes will put on “We have 28, top junior ath- distances and field events. to me now. So going forward rod, William Forbes, Ty Daw- coming out of Nassau, Swift a show at the Grand Bahama letes coming from all around The Kenyan Knights’ coach with his legacy and coaching kins in the 400m. Athletics, Bahamas High Per- Sports Complex. the U.S (United States),” he further noted the American ath- these athletes, who are a spir- “We’re trying to put together formance and Speed Dynamics. The second annual Fredrick voiced, “Alonzo Russell will letes will be representing the ited bunch, has been worth it.” some all-star relay teams be- We’ll also have Moore’s Island Bastian Track and Field Classic be present for the 300 meters National Scholastic Athletic From a local standpoint, Lar- cause based on the times the here as well and they always takes place Saturday, June 2 be- invitational, along with Ojay Foundation. The organization is rimore added that spectators team from the U.S ran prior to put on a good show. ginning at 11:00 a.m. Ferguson, Ramon Miller and known for hosting the New Bal- can look forward to sprinters this event, it’s going to be fast. “From for our local clubs we A number of local track and we’re still trying to get Michael ance National Indoor and Out- Shaquiel Higgs, Nestario Wil- So we want to put out a good expect Golden Eagles, Rock’s field clubs, along with clubs Mathieu and Stephen Newbold door Classics, held in March liams, and a CARIFTA gold competition for the crowd.” Athletics, Fast Track, Ney- out of New Providence, and the in that as well. But we should and June, respectively. medalist out of Nassau com- For local meets, Larrimore mour’s Athletics and Invictus.” United States are expected to have a good field put together Since Larrimore took over the peting in the boys’ Under 20 highlighted that the support is Larrimore closed, “This is take part in this year’s edition of for the invitational. Club in the wake of Bastian’s division, but that is still pend- hardly equal to that of the High one of the only meets they may the annual memorial meet host- “The 28 top junior athletes that passing, he explained it has not ing. The CARIFTA gold medal- School All-Island Track and get to compete in before junior ed by the Kenyan Knights. The are coming, they are some of always been easy but neverthe- ist Larrimore referred to is Joel Field Championships (Island nationals to prepare them for late Fredrick Bastian coached the top (athletes) in their events less keeping the legacy of the Johnson. Sports) and urged local resi- World Juniors. So we expect the Kenyan Knights before he so we should have a pretty good former track and field coach Larrimore furthered that they dents to show their support. everyone to turn out.” .