Russell delighted with Commonwealth experience
FOLLOWING his first experience at the senior level when he competed at the recent Commonwealth Games in Australia, Calabar High sprint hurdler Dejour Russell is expressing satisfaction with the experience gained.
“I must say it was a fairly good experience for me. It was like big men against a baby and I was the baby in the field. To have made the finals in my event was very spectacular for me. I was first a bit harsh on myself when I finished the race but when I looked back, I said: ‘Hey Dejour, you are just a kid and you are here,’ and that took some pressure off me and I was really happy for the experience,” said the 18-year-old.
Russell, who picked up a gold medal at the IAAF World Under18 Championships in Kenya last year in the Boy’s 110 metre hurdles, said that he was not scared competing among the big boys. “No, I was not scared, I was a bit nervous, but I always say in my interviews ‘if you are not nervous you are not human,’” he continued.
Russell is now preparing for the IAAF World Under-20 Championships in Tampere, Finland, this July and said that his trip to Australia has prepared him mentally for the event.
“This is really my main aim for the year as I want to accomplish big things there. I will be the target at this championships, but I have no fear as the Commonwealth Games experience has really helped to remove that, seeing I will be competing now against my peers”, he said.