Jabari Matheson eyes medal in 400m at World U-20 Championships
LIMA, Peru— Jabari Matheson says his first objective at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships, being held at Estadio Atletico de la Videna in Lima, Peru, is to “have fun and try to win a medal” in the men’s 400m, which starts on Wednesday.
The 16-year-old, who ran a personal best of 46.64 seconds to win the quarter-mile at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Championships in June, ahead of Kemarrio Bygrave, who will accompany him in the event, is competing at the international level for the first time. He says he is not nervous but anxious to do well.
“The main objective is just to have fun, go out there, and enjoy myself while giving myself the best shot at winning a medal,” he said. “I have a fairly good chance of a medal; I’ve prepared well, so I’m going to see what happens.”
Matheson won the Class 2 event at the ISSA Champs and was second in the 200m. He mentioned that he had set a specific time as his goal but opted not to reveal it.
“Everything is alright so far, everything is good. No injuries, nothing to slow me down, so I think I’ve prepared well,” he said.
He is also full of expectation in the men’s 4x400m relay, where he believes the team should get a medal.
“I think the relay is going to be good. All the team members have been putting in the work, and we’ve been preparing well, so I think the relay is going to be very, very good here.”
Paul A Reid