Photo: Ricardo Cunningham winning his heat at the MVP Track and Field Meet in Kingston. Jamaica last weekend.
It was refreshing to see new kid on the 400m hurdlers block, Ricardo Cunningham, holding his own to finish top of the field in his heat at last Saturday’s staging of the MVP Track and Field meet.
In what was only his second competitive 400m hurdlers race, but the many time national 800m champion managed to win his heat in a new personal best of 50.28 seconds, finishing with the third fastest time on the night. The event was won by Ansert Whyte (49.39 seconds) of Racers Track Club and Javarn Gallimore (50.09 seconds) also of Racers, placed second.
“It’s a new event, it’s going ok. It requires a lot of technique, but I am enjoying it thus far. The focus hasn’t been shifted from the 800m, as I am still preparing for both events. They go hand in hand,” Cunningham explained to Yardie Sports.
After many years of encouragement from several quarters, the former MVP star has finally decided to yield to the plea of his supporters and fans, just as he did when he was encouraged by his professional colleagues in 2001 to give the sport of track and field a serious pursuit.
“I have been encouraged over the years to try the 400m hurdles. My personal best over the 400m is 46.20 seconds and the 800m has given me a lot of strength, and this event (400m hurdles) is a combination of speed and strength. It’s just for me to work on putting both speed and strength together in order to improve over the hurdles,” he continued.
Renowned for their prowess in the long-distance events, it is a re-energized Cunningham who is hoping he can create rampage at the upcoming National Senior Trials in June and to conquer in a territory that would give him a sterner test than his pet event. He is therefore working hard at getting one every important aspect of his race up to par, which is his hurdling technique.
“It’s not about getting everything right in time for trials, but it’s about getting enough to reach 49.4 and then doing whatever it takes to get in the top three at trials. I am really saying that’s the time would be required to make the team, because I am not sure what the other men are coming with. If it takes 48 seconds to be in top three, I just have to be prepared to perform.”
The 36 year old athlete is now based at the Cameron Blazers Track Club, and he thinks it’s a new phase of his track and field life and he is making the adjustment as he strives for continued growth in his career.
“It’s a new environment for me and as you know there is no place like home. But just like a child having to leave home, it’s hard but you have to grow up. Life is about moving on and building and that is what I am doing at the moment. Thanks to my team with Coach Christopher Hartley and Coach Hero, both who are really helping me to build on my talent.”
Cunningham with his own self-drive and self-belief is eyeing the best of what is left of his time on the track and representing his country with pride and distinction.
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