Photo: Calabar High’s Dejour Russell flying over the hurdles at the Youngster Goldsmith Classics recently.
The reigning Class Two 100m and 100m hurdles champion Calabar High’s Dejour Russell has become one of the most recognizable figures among the current crop of Junior athletes.
Thus has come as a result of his stunning accomplishments at the ISSA Boys and Girls Championship in 2015.
A drop in performance or change in his accomplishments, are two things he is not expecting at Champs 2016, as he is focused and rounding into optimum shape with the event approximately five weeks away.
“I am training very well, so there is no doubt that i will be in good shape come Champs, where I am looking to defend my titles,” he assured.
Running a unique double at the Youngster Goldsmith Classics, Russell won both events in space of an hour. He won the 100m in 10.89 seconds before closing out the 100m hurdles in 14.11 seconds.
“Yeah, no doubt about (doing) the double. I just came here to see if I can run it back to back, same as Champs and I finished strong so that’s a good sign. I am very satisfied with the results”.
They say fame presents a burden to celebrities, and Russell is seen as a ‘Champs celebrity’ and is also the target for many other athletes heading into Champs, but he revealed that he won’t be focusing on anybody that will show at Champs.
“I am not keeping any eye out for any one. Am just training and staying in my lane and focus on myself as I go out to do my best.”
The Calabar High strongman has already set target times for both of his events for the upcoming Championship and looking to improve substantially in 2016.
“My target for the 110m hurdles is to run 12.9 or any range in the 12 highs and in the 100m am looking at about a 10.2,” he disclosed.
Russel also revealed that after Champs his other target for the season is making the Jamaican Carifta Games team, as he will not go to the World Juniors citing that he is not a Jamaican.
“I am looking forward to the Carifta Games, because am not a Jamaican so I can’t go the world Junior and those things. Only can go Carifta, but big things will be at Carifta,” he sought to explain.
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