I HAD TO REBOUND DECLARES NEW NATIONAL 200M CHAMPION

Photo: National 200m champion Shasha Lee Forbes

It was one of the most jubilant moments at this year’s JAAA National Senior Championship, as fans witnessed the emerging sprint star, Shasha Lee Forbes, tearing up the track at the National Stadium to win the women’s 200m race and clinching her first individual spot on the country’s team to the London World Championships.

It was great moment for the sprinter on the final day of the championship, as she rebounded from disappointment in the event she dreamt of making the team in (100m) to secure the greatest moment of triumph in her career so far. Forbes copped the national title in a new personal best 22.71 seconds, relegating the defending champion and her cousin, Simone Facey, to second spot with 22.74 seconds.

While Forbes time was a bit off what she expected to run, it was good enough to grant her the title she probably never thought would be hers this year.

“I had to rebound! I went out there to run and get in the top three. I know everyone was going to come full out, but in the midst of it all, I just pushed harder and I am happy I won that title,” Forbes explained.

The double sprint champion at the 2017 Intercollegiate Championships disclosed that she has been struggling all season with a bothersome right knee which contributed in some way to her missing out on an individual spot in the 100m final.

“My knee has been bothering a bit, but I think I gave away my chance in the 100m, by basically dipping tool early. But everything happens for a reason.”

She remained confident and composed entering the 200m final and produced the goods there.

“The loss in the 100m, boosted me a lot. I got a pb in 200m which was my event from high school, I just told myself once I push harder I could deliver on the day.”

The Olympic and 2017 World Relay double medalist is yearning to build on the success and the experience she has from last year and this year as she looks to carry the banner for the black, green and gold in the 200m.

The more experienced stars in Elaine Thompson, Veronica Campbell-Brown and Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce will all be absent from that event for varying reasons.

The diminutive sprinter won’t be bothered by the fact that she will face the likes of defending champion, Dutch sprinter Daphne Schippers, USA Torrie Bowie and Bahamian Shaunae Miller- Uibo.

Forbes remains focused on continuing the trend on the ladies from the sprint factory, by doing her best on the day, when it matters most.

“My trip to the World Relays and the Rio Olympics helped to motivate me, because as I stepped out of high school, the following year I am in the Bahamas. So this season my only aim was to continue and focus on making the London team and the World University team. I am not focused on who I compete against, I just look forward to representing my country. It really bring loads of joy to me” she added.

Forbes who completed her tertiary studies at the GC Foster College is ready to make a name for herself and follow in the footsteps of one of her track heroes and many times champion at the international level, Veronica Campbell-Brown.

Already she is looking forward to the challenge and is encouraging her fellow clubmates who will be donning the black, green and gold in London, to wear the colours with pride.

“Everyone knew what they wanted and we are all motivated by each others performances. We have worked super hard all season for this and to see so many of them coming out and deliver, proved that the hard work didn’t go in vain. I hope they do their best as we represent in London.”