Delano Todd over the moon with historic Charlemont achievement

WHEN DELANO Todd crossed the finish line in second place for silver in the boys’ under-17 800 metres to pick up a silver medal at the recently held Carifta Games in The Bahamas, it marked not one, but two historic feats for the 16-year-old Charlemont High School athlete.

Todd, who clocked 1 minute, 57.44 seconds for his silver medal, was the first athlete from the St Catherine-based institution to make a Carifta team, obviously becoming the first to medal.

“I feel great knowing that it was my first time making the national team and it was extra special, also knowing that I was able to get a medal. After coming second I was a bit disappointed as I wanted the gold medal, but I said to myself this was a special moment and I should celebrate it,” said Todd.

DETERMINED TO MEDAL

Todd, who had won the Class Two 800 metres at the Central Athletics Championships, was determined to get a medal at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships but failed to advance from his semifinal after he fell in the latter stage of the race and did not finish.

“I was really disappointed at Champs as I really wanted to get a medal but I used the disappointment to motivate me for the Carifta Games and the rest is history,” he said.

“Being the first athlete from my school to medal at Carifta has really motivated me for the future and I am sure this achievement has helped to motivate other athletes at my school as they will know that if I do it, they can do it too,” he said.

Todd had high praises for principal of Charlemont, Garth Gayle, who is also president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association.

“Mr Gayle has really motivated me in my career so far and when I finished second he came across to congratulate me. Also to my coach, teachers and parents, I am very thankful for their encouragement and this has helped me to do even better going forward, and I will be training very hard to make the national team once again this summer.”