Chambers happy with late call-up to ‘Worlds’
JUST when quarter-miler Ricardo Chambers thought his season was over, the Jamaica Administrative Athletics Association (JAAA) has prolonged his season by giving him a surprise call up to the World Championship team yesterday morning.
Chambers, who finished third at the Senior Championship but was disqualified, was initially left out of the 53-member squad released on Monday.
Overjoyed by the “reprieve”, Chambers lit up his Facebook page by reacting to his good fortune.
“Just receive one of the best news of my life. I’m now included on the team for ‘Worlds’… words can’t explain how happy I feeling right now. God is good,” he said.
Following his disappointment at the Jamaican Trials, Chambers would go on to finish third in the 400m at the NACAC Senior Championship last week.
He had established a seasonal best of 44.93 seconds in the semi-finals which made him the third-fastest Jamaican behind Javon Francis (44.50 seconds) and Rusheen McDonald (44.60).
This has been a remarkable turnaround for Chambers, who only recently posted on his Facebook page that his season had come to an end.
“As my season come to an end and I unlace my spikes for the rest of season, I have to give God thanks for blessing me with a healthy season, first time being injury-free in years. Also thanks to all who supported me… wishing team Jamaica good luck at Worlds”.
Chambers, who will be 31 in October, has been a stalwart in Jamaica’s 400m, making it to the semi-finals in the World Championship and the Olympics.
Chambers, who has a personal best of 44.54 set in 2010, will more than likely be used in the mile relay.
The quarter-miler will now play a critical role in Jamaica’s 4x400m relay squad where he lines up alongside Francis, McDonald, Peter Matthews, Edino Steele and Jonia McDonald.
— Howard Walker