Photo: Jermaine Gonzales happy to finish two races in one day healthy.
Having suffered a wretched four years plagued by injuries and disappointments, Jermaine Gonzales was able to complete two races in one day and finish smiling at the end of it all. In a post-race interview with sport reporters on Saturday night at the Gibson/ McCook Relays, the former national 400m record holder opened up about his plans for the season.
“I am just happy to be back you know. It’s been a while… a rather frustrating last four years for me. I have endured lot of injuries, but I am happy to be competing again. Two races in one day and to be able to even get a win is a very good sign so I am really happy”, the former national champion said.
Having switched training camps from Racer’s to the Bertland Cameron led Cameron Blazers Track club, Gonzales still believes he has more to give, even with the resurgence of 400m sprinting in Jamaica.
“First off I am really happy to see a lot of the young talents coming through. Jamaica has been lacking in the 400m for a number of years, so it’s good to see them stepping up. But that being said, I am one who always believes in my talent and once I am healthy I will be amongst the best in the world. I just have to keep fit and continue working hard,” he confidently expressed.
The 2012 Olympian is looking to keep as busy as is possible this season on the track. The bronze medallist from the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and fourth place finisher at the Daegu World Championships in 2009 is not targeting time, but instead aims to give good performances each time he runs.
“I am looking to run as often as possible. You will see me at the next development meet. I am never the athlete that target times. I just aim to out in a good performance each time I take to the track and hope my effort is good enough to make the teams. The aim is to keep motivated and to keep being happy,“
It has certainly been a tough four years for the quarter-miler; a period which saw him undergo two knee surgeries, including the removal of a bone tumour and multiple operations over a six-month spell. He has learnt a few things that he vows he wot allow to happen again in his career as he presses forward.
“As you know I am not as well as I used to be, so definitely I have to train smarter, work on my weak areas, visit the doctors as often as possible even when you know you are not hurting. These are some of the things I neglected earlier in my career, so those are things I will look to take care of this time around.”
There comes a time when an ageing or no longer dominant 400m sprinter decides to move up to the 800m, but Gonzales is shunning this idea at the present moment, stating that he is not the ideal fit for that event.
“Definitely not, I don’t think I have the quality for it. I think a lot of people think Jermaine is ideal for 800m, I am not sure about that. I don’t think I will be any good at 800m, so I am just sticking to the 400m. I am a veteran in that and I believe in my talent, believe in my coach and family support which should help me to do my best,” he concluded.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login