Taylor and Matherson on the verge of breaking World Youth records

Photo: Christopher Taylor of Calabar and Jhevaughn Matherson of Kingston College are both on the verge of breaking World Youth records this year.

Arguably two of Jamaica’s best male youth athletes, Christopher “Cubby” Taylor and Jevaughn “Smashing” Matherson could break World Youth records this season. The World Youth records are held by athletes aged 17 or younger.

With a lot of championship this year for both athletes to contest, they could join the likes of Usain Bolt and Jaheel Hyde to be individual World Youth record holders.

Usain Bolt holds the record at the youth level for 200 meter after running the distance in 20.13 seconds, while Jaheel Hyde holds the record for the 110 meter hurdles (91.4 cm) in a time of 12.96 seconds.

The Kingston College speedster, Matherson, could go below 10.19 seconds at this year ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Track and Field Championship which begin today. The youth 100 meter record, which is held by Japanese Yoshihide Kiryū, set in November 2012 is under serious threat after the 17 year old ran 10.25 seconds a week ago at the Jamaica Carifta Games trials.

Calabar’s poster boy Taylor, could return in record breaking form this year again after his fabulous time of 45.27 seconds at 9th IAAF World Youth Championships in Columbia last year. The 16 year old has looked in great form this season and could get the long standing World Youth 400 meter record of 45.14 seconds set by American, Obea Moore, two decades ago.