TOP 10 CARIBBEAN 100m SPRINTERS – PART 1
With the recent
dominance of Caribbean, particularly Jamaican sprinters, it was only obvious
that my attention would be drawn to this region of the world wondering where
this talent has emulated from and what are their practices. Was it genetic, had
they found ancient training methods that kept us Gods on Olympus at the top of
our game and did they not only find these secrets but improve these secret
fusing them with science?
Observing the Caribbean islands over the past couple
years it is evident the crop of natural athletic excellence that exist in these
countries that just needs tailoring to achieve a proper high performance
module. That being said there will be a few upcoming letters discussing very
basic training methods for speed, power and agility that even I overlooked and
forgot. My time in the Antilles region resulted in my yearning to know who the
most prolific sprinters have been in the Caribbean since the Gods went into submission.
The list I
built was based on and considered the following criteria;
1. Athlete must be from the Caribbean
region (born and bred, not as a result of relation to heritage) taking into
account geographical association within the Greater and Lesser Antilles.
2. Championship honors including medals and
finals appearances (Olympics and World Championships providing the highest
endorsements)
3. Ranking throughout competitive years
(based on IAAF and Track and Field News rankings).
4. Number of sub 10 clocking credited to
the individual (legal conditions).
5. Number of years at an elite or professional
level (based on Track and Field News annual rankings).
Taking into
account all the criteria provided has allowed me to accumulate a list of the
most prolific, historical and successful sprinters the Caribbean has produced.
To build excitement and suspense I have completed the list in reverse order,
simply a countdown to the best. By the way, whether or not you agree with this
or not, DON’T expect to see Yohan Blake or Asafa Powell on this list as they
have both been disqualified and removed from this conversation for serving
doping charges.
Hermes’
Top 10 Caribbean 100m Sprinters
10. Nestar Carter (Jamaica)
Carter is the
sixth fastest man in history with his PR run in Rieti, Italy five years ago in
2010. A huge role player in the recent success of the Jamaican sprint relay,
Carter was a late bloomer in the arena of athletics. Training under the
tutelage of Stephen Francis as a member of the MVP club and studying in the
island of Jamaica, this success story made my list for his consistency over the
years and being on the historical world record 400m relay team.
Individual
Medals: 1 World Championship Bronze (2013)
Relay medals: 2 Gold OG, 2 Gold and 1 Silver WC
Sub 10s Races
(Legal): 28
IAAF 100m PR Ranking:
6th
TRACK and Field
News Top 10 Annual Ranking Appearances: 6
9. Michael Frater (Jamaica)
A
standout at TCU (Texas Christian University) and multi time NCAA Division 1
finalists in the 100m, Frater came closest to being NCAA champion his senior
year losing to Tyson Gay by 0.008 seconds. A member of the multi champion 400m
relay team, Frater is usually seen running the second or third leg. Longevity
and consistency has earned Frater a spot in this Caribbean Top 10.
Personal Record: 9.88s (June, 2011)
Individual
Medals: 1 World Championship Silver (2005)
Relay medals: 2 Gold OG, 2 Gold WC, 1 Gold and 1 Silver CWG
Sub 10s Races
(Legal): 7
IAAF 100m PR Ranking:
22nd
TRACK and Field
News Top 10 Annual Ranking Appearances: 7
8. Obadele Thompson (Barbados)
A former NCAA stand-out and All American while competing at the University of Texas, El Paso, Thompson was credited (prior to 2008) for having the fastest 100m run under any conditions sprinting 9.69s aided by an IAAF ruled illegal wind of 5.0m/s. Competing on national squads since his days as a junior athlete Thompson was the lone Barbadian sprinter of his era and helped put his country on the map.
Personal Record: 9.87s (September, 1998)
Individual Medals: 1 Olympic Bronze (2000) and 1 Commonwealth Games Bronze (1998)
Relay medals: None
Sub 10s Races (Legal): 3
IAAF 100m PR Ranking: 22nd
TRACK and Field News Top 10 Annual Ranking Appearances: 3
The Trinbagonian sprinter shone for LSU
in his senior year going undefeated indoors and outdoors in the Division 1 NCAA 2008 track and field season. He did not complete the double at NCAA being beaten to the line in the 200m
by Walter Dix of FSU (USA). Thompson broke the National Record held by Ato
Boldon in 2014 with a new personal record of 9.82s.
Personal Record: 9.82s (June, 2014)
Individual Medals: 1 Olympic Games Silver (2008)
Relay medals: 2 Silver OG, 1 Silver WC and 1 Bronze CWG
Sub 10s Races (Legal): 9
IAAF 100m PR Ranking: 9th
TRACK and Field News Top 10 Annual Ranking Appearances: 4
6.
Kim Collins (St. Kitts and Nevis)
At
the age of 39, Collins has proven to be the ageless sprinter of this era continuing to run
sub 10s times when most have already retired. Collins has participated in many
championship finals, always the finalist and only once the champion, he has
proven that training smart directly results in competitive longevity.
Individual
Medals: 1 Gold (2003) and 3 Bronze World Championships Games (2001, 2005 and 2011) and 1 Commonwealth Games (2002)
Relay
medals: 1 Bronze World Championship
Sub
10s Races (Legal): 9
IAAF
100m PR Ranking: 65th
TRACK
and Field News Top 10 Annual Ranking Appearances: 4
Knowing the minds of the mortal man cannot keep focused for more than thirty minutes I divided the list into two distinct parts. Hopefully you find the time out of your so busy schedule to educate yourselves on the historical factors and influences of some of the fastest athletes on the planet and Olympic history. Keep up and return at a later date for the second portion to this two part series.
Messenger God
Sport Specialists Messenger
Mount Olympus
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