By Adrian Robinson, TrackAlerts.com writer
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The World Youth 400m Champion Martin Manley, is quite enthused about his chances at the World Junior Championship being held in Eugene Oregon, USA.
“I am filled with excitement", he said, "because last year I promised to follow in Kirani’s footsteps”.
Kirani James, in 2009, was the first athlete to run the 200/400 double at a World Youth Championships.
Martin being a great fan of Kirani wants similar accomplishments. “I think this is a great opportunity for me to get the second gold medal at this age”.
He reasoned soberly that he won’t have things easy. “Preparing for Word Juniors is much more difficult than World Youths, I will run against bigger guys. I will be the Youngest in the field apart from Cayman’s Jamal James”.
Coach Danny Hawthorne changed his approach to getting Manley in tip top shape, Martin continued,”Training is very rough, I did a lot of strength and track work, I just had to do what’s necessary, listen to coach's instruction and trust him”.
Running 45.89 to take the World Youth title in 2013, Martin surely did surprise many. “There is going to be a surprise anytime I go to an international meet", he said, "I try to leave with a bang. I’ll try to keep my winning streak going, and I don’t intend on breaking it”.
Manley, on the first day of the 2014 World Junior Championships, was timed in 47.20 for second in his heat to book a semi-final place.
