With Yohan Blake, cricket's loss is track and field's gain
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 11:17 am
Daegu, Korea - Yohan Blake says becoming a World champion was something he has "been waiting for my whole life." When, of course, he wasn't aiming for a career as a cricketer.
"I'm wonderful at cricket, at 20-20," Blake said after his impressive victory in the men's 100m at the IAAF World Championships on Sunday night at Daegu Stadium.
"West Indies are down, England is my team. I always wanted to be a cricketer, but I found a love for track and field. But I still love cricket. But track and field has taken over my life."
A good career choice, as he showed before the packed crowd and millions watching around the world still trying to come to grips with the stunning disqualification of Jamaican teammate and superstar Usain Bolt.
Blake, who decided to focus full-time on athletics when he was 16, became at 21 years 244 days the youngest gold medalist in the 100m in history. Carl Lewis was 22 years 38 days when he won the title at the inaugural World Championships in 1983.
That Blake has come so far so fast fulfilled a prediction by the coach he shares with Bolt, Glen Mills, who told the Jamaica Gleaner in June that he expected "a lot of fireworks" from Blake in Daegu.
Blake had finished second at the Jamaica championships to former World record-holder Asafa Powell, who was also missing from the Daegu final after pulling out of the meet with a groin injury.
"I've been waiting for this my whole life," Blake said. "I've always been working just to be a world champion and it's a dream come true." Read more
"I'm wonderful at cricket, at 20-20," Blake said after his impressive victory in the men's 100m at the IAAF World Championships on Sunday night at Daegu Stadium.
"West Indies are down, England is my team. I always wanted to be a cricketer, but I found a love for track and field. But I still love cricket. But track and field has taken over my life."
A good career choice, as he showed before the packed crowd and millions watching around the world still trying to come to grips with the stunning disqualification of Jamaican teammate and superstar Usain Bolt.
Blake, who decided to focus full-time on athletics when he was 16, became at 21 years 244 days the youngest gold medalist in the 100m in history. Carl Lewis was 22 years 38 days when he won the title at the inaugural World Championships in 1983.
That Blake has come so far so fast fulfilled a prediction by the coach he shares with Bolt, Glen Mills, who told the Jamaica Gleaner in June that he expected "a lot of fireworks" from Blake in Daegu.
Blake had finished second at the Jamaica championships to former World record-holder Asafa Powell, who was also missing from the Daegu final after pulling out of the meet with a groin injury.
"I've been waiting for this my whole life," Blake said. "I've always been working just to be a world champion and it's a dream come true." Read more
