By Noel “Bravo” Francis, Special to TrackAlerts.Com 

One of the most exciting junior talents to come of out of Jamaica since the great Usain Bolt is Wolmer’s Boys standout Jaheel Hyde. This gifted athlete has already established himself as a future star of track and field with some incredible performances.

Among his achievements is being the first ever athlete to win back-to-back World titles in separate age group events. His meteoric rise on the international stage started in 2013 when he won gold in the 110m hurdles at the 8thIAAF World Youth Championships. The following year, the Wolmerian went on to claim the World Junior title at 400m hurdles before closing out the year with gold in the 110m hurdles at the 2nd Youth Olympics in China.

History has shown that many great sportsmen have had to overcome great rivals on their journey to success. Track & Field has produced many of those encounters, and the Jamaica High School Boys & Girls Championships are no different.

Hyde’s growing reputation will come under scrutiny when he competes at ‘Champs 2015’. If there is one blemish on Hyde’s record of accomplishment, it is the fact that he has never defeated nemesis Michael O’Hara of Calabar at ‘Champs’ in the 110m hurdles event. Many observers believe Hyde who is the defending champion is going to reverse that trend and defeat O’Hara convincingly. This might possibly be the last time these two outstanding hurdlers clash at the high school level.

For these reasons, track fans will be drawn to the outcome of this tantalizing showdown on the final day. Last year, had it not been for the negative wind (-3.5) the ‘Champs’ record (13.24) would have been challenged by Hyde. Everyone will be hoping for good weather this year and that the wind speed will be positive within the allowable limit (2.0 m/s) for a fantastic race.

‘Champs 2015’, is another stage of Jaheel Hyde’s preparation towards success at the senior level. Jamaica has never had an individual men’s gold medallist in either hurdles discipline on the biggest stage; many track fans strongly believe this young man will remedy that situation at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and beyond.

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