Yohan Blake, the 2011 World 100m champion, says he can successfully replace Usain Bolt as Jamaica’s leading male sprinter.
The Racers Track Club athlete anchored his team to a comfortable world-leading 38.59 seconds to win the men’s 4x100m relay at Saturday’s Puma Gibson McCook Relays, at the National Stadium in Kingston.
Following the win, Blake told The Gleaner that he was ready to be Racers’ leading athlete after Bolt’s expected retirement from the sport at the London World Championships.
“Confidence? My confidence is back; I am running and feeling healthy, so it is great. Yes, definitely, I am the man to take over when Usain will leave,” he said.
According to Blake, he is comfortable and ready to run.
“It is my position to take over, so I have to, and I am definitely confident I can do that,” confirmed the 27-year-old athlete.
Blake, meanwhile, is already looking forward to representing Jamaica at the IAAF World Relays in The Bahamas in April.
He notes that he is happy with changes to his technique made by coach Glen Mills.
“I love the relays and I love the atmosphere … I love the relays and I am just looking to keep Jamaica on top,” he said.
While Blake refused to go into details about the things his coach changed in his technique, he says he is ready to run.
“All I will say is that I am running more upright now and I am feeling good. I am feeling brand new,” he explained.
Blake added that his leg feels rehabilitated after injuries: “I don’t even know I have legs; they are feeling fine, and as you can see, I am running well.”
