Cato doing Edmonton Classic to ready himself for Rio

Anthony Foster
By Anthony Foster 3 Min Read
Cravont Charleston, Shane Brathwaite, and Roxroy Cato to Headline Harry Jerome Track Classic

EDMONTON, Canada – Jamaican, Roxroy Cato, will be using Friday’s (15 July) TrackTown Classic at University of Alberta’s Foote Field here in Edmonton, as warm-up for Rio 2016.

Cato, who finished 3rd at the Jamaica Trials to book his ticket to Rio, said, “This meet is going to be like my hurdles practice.”

The Pan Am Games bronze medalist said after trials he went back to the drawing board. “I have being putting in a lot of strength work, just preparing for Rio the best way I know I can. But while putting in the work, staying race ready is also key,” according to the 28-year-old.

“It’s just keeping race sharp and working on the hurdles race, but you never know, probably go out there and surprise myself,” added the 48.48 personal best athlete.

He, however, repeated “the real aim is Rio and to make it through the rounds and on the podium.”

Roxroy Cato
Roxroy Cato finishes 1st in the semi-finals of the men’s 400m hurdles at the Jamaica Olympic Trials at the National Stadium in Kingston on June 30, 2016

“The last Olympics 2012, I made it by myself, so this time around I have a good coach behind me,” added the member of Jamaica’s 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games 4x400m gold medalist, while predicting a better performance.

“I don’t think anybody is tracking my progress this year, but I have being running very consistent this year and that’s what it takes to get through the rounds at the Olympics, so that’s going to be one of my biggest confidence boaster going into Rio,” added the 46.97 one lapper.

In his pet event, Cato opened his season in Nassau with 49.64 in April, followed by 49.32 at the Jamaica Invitational in May. After those outings, he ran 49.98, 48.98, along with 48.83 and 48.96 at the Jamaica Trials.

He said the main aim going into Trials was to make the team, but to win was of equal importance.

“I didn’t run the race properly, execution was off,” said the former Lincoln University athlete. “The best part of my race was always the last part and I was like feeling a bit tired going cross the line, so I knew I got out and didn’t back off, I just kept on going,” added Cato.

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