Junior 400 metres sprinter Stephan James once again performed excellently for Guyana by gaining a sprint double at the recently-concluded Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) in Suriname.
One year ago James, who was just another athlete on Guyana’s IGG team in French Guiana, managed a fourth place in the 400 metres while claiming bronze in the 100 metres. Chavez Ageday was then absent from the team.
However, James first made his mark at the 2010 National Schools Championships when he won the 400 metres and dipped ahead of Ageday to win the 200 metres.
At the start of this year, James further enhanced his growing reputation in the 400 metres by winning easily, defeating Ageday twice in three races, and was then selected on the Junior Carifta team.
James went on to place fourth in the 400 metres final at Carifta while being the first Guyanese to make a sprint final at the Junior Pan American Games. He also became the first male to capture a medal (bronze) at the South American Championship in Colombia in September.
Now with his most recent accomplishment, the sprint double at the 2011 IGG games, he has definitely elevated himself to another class with the likes of his own coach Julian Edmonds, Kwame Caesar, Treiston Joseph and the late Roxanna Rigby all winning sprint doubles at the IGG, Schools Nationals gold medals and representing The Land of Many Waters at various international events.
The 18-year-old won the IGG 400 metres in a time of 50.6s and the 200 metres in a time of 22.6s to claim his glory at this year’s edition of the games.
Speaking with Stabroek Sport, James said: “Well it was a good one for me although I didn’t run the times I want it was just good to help my team win.
“The track was rough… the grass was thick and the soil was especially loose in the 400 metres. I closed all my staggers in the first 50 metres but the ground wasn’t giving me anything which made it a little hard but I’m just happy to come out with the win.”
With his series of achievements over the past year and his outstanding performance at the IGG, James is looking towards the Schools Nationals scheduled to begin on November 14.
He is expected to repeat his performance of last year as well as break the 400 metres under-20 Schools Nationals record held by former junior sprinter Tai Payne.
“I think I can break it, I’m having a good year and I’m running fast times so it’s within my reach. I just have to go out there and do it,” James commented.
Meanwhile, with his performance at the IGG, James has shown that he is Guyana’s top junior sprinter with the potential to develop into a world class athlete.
