Donovan Bailey believes Kishane Thompson delivered the kind of performance that many had been waiting to see, but it came a little bit late.
Canadian-Jamaican legend Donovan Bailey has explained why he was not surprised by Kishane Thompson’s scintillating run at the Jamaican Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston but believes he should have that time earlier.
Kishane Thompson was in a class of his own as he clocked a stunning 9.75 seconds, the fastest time since 2015, to win the race.
The Olympic 100m silver medallist crossed the finish line first ahead of Oblique Seville and Ackeem Blake, who clocked 9.83 and 9.88.
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Kishane Thompson Relishes Showdown with Bayanda Walaza, Christian Coleman and CO in Stacked 100m Field
Kishane Thompson Relishes Showdown with Bayanda Walaza, Christian Coleman and CO in Stacked 100m Field
Donovan Bailey: I’m Not Surprised
Donovan Bailey and Kishane Thompson
Donovan Bailey advises Kishane Thompson
The double Olympic champion explained that Kishane Thompson has been working behind the scenes, and he is impressed by how he has gained confidence thus far.
Speaking on the Donovan Bailey YouTube Channel, the double world champion pointed out that Kishane Thompson should have run that time at the Paris Olympic Games.
At the Olympic Games, Kishane Thompson finished five thousandths of a second behind Noah Lyles, both clocking 9.79 seconds in the men’s 100m final.
“I’m not surprised…I think that what Kishane and his team have been doing is putting together his execution,” Donovan Bailey said.
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‘Everything Else is Noise’ – Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Silences Critics as she Eyes World Championships
“His time today reflects a young man who is exceptionally talented and is finally relaxed, and he’s executing throughout the race, so the time itself wasn’t shocking at all for me because the race that he ran in Jamaica at trials was what he should have run at the Olympics.”
Donovan Bailey: It’s a Different Level of Calmness
Donovan Bailey and Kishane Thompson
Donovan Bailey
Donovan Bailey added that after watching the race, he saw a more mature Kishane Thompson, who was able to handle the pressure throughout the race.
He was impressed with how Kishane Thompson did not lean in the race, noting that he controlled the race from start to finish and showcased a different kind of maturity.
Bailey noted that following Kishane Thompson’s run, and also having Oblique Seville and Ackeem Blake clock such fast times, Jamaica is back to the top in sprinting and all those who had doubted the nation’s potential following Usain Bolt’s retirement should be ready for a tough show.
“I watched the race and saw the breakdown, you know, but also what I saw after, which really impressed me, was his interview,” Donovan Bailey said.
“It’s a different level of calmness, it’s a different level of confidence, and I think that, you know what Kishane was doing was he’d be out in front of everybody and then at 80m or you know 70m, he would try to run fast you would you know it’s almost like you’re trying to pull the finish line closer to you as opposed to relax and let it come to you.
“There was no looking for the line, there was no leaning. For all those people who said that you know, I guess Jamaica had lost it in the male sprinting side, you know, sorry. Kishane showed fantastic maturity in the race, allowing himself out of his drive phase, hitting top speed, and then relaxing going home.”
With his calm demeanour and blazing speed, Kishane Thompson has not only silenced doubters but also signalled the return of Jamaica’s sprinting dominance, and according to Donovan Bailey, this is just the beginning.
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