Thompson smiling again after tough four years
PERSISTENT INJURIES have jeopardised the promising athletics career of 2013 World Youth champion hurdler Yanique Thompson. Despite those troubles, the G.C. Foster College student-athlete is slowly getting back on track. Now, with some encouraging wins under her belt, Thompson is smiling again.
The former Holmwood Technical High school star was beaming after her 100 metre hurdles win at last Saturday’s JAAA All Comers meet held inside the National Stadium.
“I’m feeling great apart from the injuries and stuff,” she said cheerfully. “It’s good to be back on track, trying to run myself back in some form.”
Her improved form has brought her the 2017 InterCollegiate 100-metre hurdles title and a new career best of 13.13 seconds.
Thompson, however, isn’t getting ahead of herself.
BETTER TIMES
“This year, I’m just focusing on me,” the 21 year-old reasoned. “Just to better my times each time I run.”
“So it’s not to have that goal that I’ll have to make the Trials or something like that, It’s just to get back myself in form because as you know, I’ve been out for almost four years, so it’s just basically working my way to the top,” Thompson shared.
A bothersome knee injury has been the problem.
“Sometimes I cannot hurdle. Sometimes when I hurdle, it hurts , so I have to try and be patient with it and try to get the best doctors to look at it and go with the best decisions,” she added.
Thompson is one of the most successful sprint hurdlers in Boys’ and Girls’ Championships history, with wins in classes two, three and four and a Carifta Games Under 20 title from 2015.
The Maurice Wilson-coached speedster has high hopes for the future.
“When I’m over my injuries, (and I am able to) build my confidence and everything, I don’t know, I’m just going to continue to do great things,” she said.