“My main focus right now is to go to the Boys’ and Girls’ Champs and perform good as I am using this championship as a build-up going into the World Junior’s Championship,” Thompson told the Jamaica Observer.
“If I can stay healthy, injury free and train hard, then I know that I will do very well and so I am looking forward to some good performances this year,” the junior world champion said.
The 17-year-old Thompson, who was recently nominated for the RJR People’s Choice Award for her blistering run in the 100m Hurdles at the World Youth Athletics Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine, winning in 12.94 seconds bettering Adriana Lamalle’s 14-year record of 13.08 seconds said that she was upbeat about the win and the recognition and that she will continue to work hard and make Jamaica proud.
“To become the first hurdler to run under 13 seconds the feeling was amazing. I was so happy, it was great. I went to the Championship with one thing in mind and is to win the gold and that I did and even though I didn’t win the People’s Choice Award I was still happy because of the recognition I got for my hard work. This shows that people care. But it doesn’t stop here as I will continue to work hard and to make Jamaica proud,” Thompson said with obvious determination on her face.
The 100m hurdles champion said that she started running from primary school but never took running serious until she went to Holmwood Technical High School where she got the coaches and better facility to tackle the sport at a higher level.
“I started running from I was attending the Spanish Town Primary School where I would run for my house on Sports Day, and it was then the coach told me that I should join the school’s track team,” she remembered with a smile on her face.
“I then took up the sport seriously at the Holmwood where I met some brilliant coaches, head coach Kirk Brown, the assistants Dave Anderson, Dwight Jones and Ramone Samuels. These coaches took me into their care and turned me into a superb athlete… I have developed a lot and it has made me a world champion,” she said.
The Holmwood athlete said that she also runs the 100 metres but prefers the hurdles as they just flow with her.
“I also run the 100 metres flat. Every time I run the 100m, I medal except for last year… but I prefer the hurdles more because I am comfortable with it and I just run off the rhythm which is nice… it just comes natural, a laughing Thompson told the Observer.
Thompsom, who is in sixth form said that training is not easy but she enjoys what she is doing.
“Sometimes training can be a little hard due to my school work, as at times I get tired and my legs get heavy and sore. But I enjoy training a lot, I warm-up before I do my hurdles techniques which I love very much, I do a little jogging as well. But overall its been good,” she explained.
Thompson mentioned that the keys to her success thus far are the love, care and understanding of her parents, coaches and friends of her community.
“My parents really help me a lot, My dad Delroy Thompson and mom, Kesha Oliver play a big part in my achievements as they support and encourage me a lot and I thank them for that. And I also give my coaches and friends thanks for their assistance and encouragement along the way, ” Thompson said.