‘She deserves all the credit’

LEON POWELL, high school coach of freshly minted World Championships 200-metre bronze medallist Bryan Level, has lauded the sprinter’s current coach, Shanikie Osbourne, for the tremendous work she has done in guiding the 21-year-old to his first global individual medal.

Levell, who has enjoyed an outstanding season, clocked a personal best of 19.64 seconds to secure the bronze medal last Friday in Tokyo, Japan. The event was won by American Noah Lyles in 19.52, with his teammate Kenny Bednarek taking silver in 19.58.

“I don’t think that she has had enough credit, so hats off to her and team for a job well done. This is his second year at the senior level and to come away with a bronze medal, I think she deserves all the credit for the tremendous job that she has done,” Powell said.

Osbourne, who is the head coach of Optimum Performance Track Club, is also the coach of quarter-miler Delano Kennedy, who ran a personal-best 44.74 to make the semi-finals of the men’s 400 metres at this year’s World Championships. She has also guided the career of veteran female quarter-miler Candice McLeod.

Powell, who coached Levell for seven years at Edwin Allen High School in Clarendon, said he was tremendously proud of the 21-year-old’s accomplishment.

“I am not surprised by the time and the fact that he had won a medal. Going into the World Championships with 19.69, I knew he was in shape and we all saw that, and we at least expected him to run 19.69, which he did, so it wasn’t a surprise for me,” Powell explained.

“This is what Bryan always wanted. He wanted to win a global medal because he didn’t win an individual medal at the junior level; and at his first World Championships at the senior level and coming away with a bronze medal, it is a wonderful achievement for him, and he can only grow from here on and get better and faster,” he added.

Levell is now the third-fastest Jamaican in history behind Usain Bolt’s 19.19 world record and Yohan Blake’s 19.26. He enjoyed a stellar championship, running 19.84 in his opening heat before posting 19.78 in the semi-finals ahead of his bronze medal performance.

Powell stated that Bryan has even greater achievements ahead of him.

“I would say that he is still developing, because I don’t think he has developed to his full potential as yet.

“I think that there is still room for growth and I am expecting that, and he said it prior to the final that he is not limiting himself. And he is young, and once he stay healthy, which is every athlete’s dream to stay healthy, then I am expecting him to run much faster in years to come,” he said.

“This will definitely help his confidence, because when somebody sets their sights on winning a global medal and you win one at 21 years old, then this can only boost your confidence,” said Powell.

According to Powell, Levell needs that confidence to counteract his naturally reserved personality.

“If you realise the type of person that he is, he is really and truly a reserved person and this may just let him believe a little more. It will help him believe that, ‘Hey, I have the bronze now, so next time I can get the gold’,” Powell underscored.

He also stated that Levell’s achievement has ignited pride at Edwin Allen.

“I am proud and the entire Edwin Allen is proud of him, because when we were watching the final at school, the entire auditorium erupted when he won the bronze medal.”