Bramwell’s hard work puts him in touch with Taylor record
A MAN of few words, Calabar High School’s Nickecoy Bramwell has been a name making waves at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs).
However, the Champs and Carifta Games champion said his success is proof of his years of hard work.
Inspired by Usain Bolt’s stellar career, Bramwell recounted his earlier days in track and field while he was still in primary school.
According to the sprinter, he had not been one of the fastest athletes in the past, but has propelled himself to the front of the pack through hard work.
“It was Usain Bolt,” he said.
“I looked at him as an idol and I decided I wanted to be like him, and that’s why I started track and field. I started in primary school. I wasn’t the fastest at the time, so it’s really just hard work for me.”
Last year, Bramwell finished third in the boys’ Class Two 400 metres final in a time of 48.88 seconds and ran a stellar anchor leg for the Calabar relay team that won gold in the boys’ Class Two 4x100-metre relay, which clocked 40.41 seconds.
He would go on to claim the boys’ Under-17 title at the Carifta Games i n style, recording a season’s best 47.86. Bramwell would also win gold in the boys’ Under17 4x400m, where Jamaica would stop the clock at 3:19.04s, ahead of Bahamas, who crossed the line in 3:20.47s.
Bramwell recalled the Carifta games as a surreal experience, and treasured his time representing his country with his family watching.
“It’s a great feeling, you know, to represent your country and to win for your country. My family is always there. They’re always at my track meets, since the season has started.”
Bramwell has had an impressive start to the 2024 season, and has set himself as one of the favourites for the boys’ Class Two 400m title.
With the weight of expectations on his shoulders, Bramwell is a cool customer as he prepares for Champs.
He opened his season at the McKenley/Wint Invitational Meet with a massive personal best in the 400, clocking 46.75 to dismiss the field.
But, when asked about his title aspirations and possibly putting Christopher Taylor’s Class Two record of 46.33s under threat, Bramwell played off the possibility and said he was focusing on having a healthy season.
“I can’t really answer that now about medals, but the season has been good. No, I don’t feel any pressure at all for this Championship really. It’s just a great feeling to represent Calabar.”