#Carifta2022 | Kennedy’s journey to success ends with Carifta gold
Published:Tuesday | April 19, 2022 | 12:05 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
Delano Kennedy’s personal redemption mission did not come at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs). At the Carifta Games, however, he gained the gold medal he has been seeking in 2022.
Kennedy powered through to victory in the under-20 boys’ 400 metres final on Saturday night in 46.66 seconds, ahead of his teammate Shemar Palmer, who got silver in 46.97. Amal Glasgow of St Vincent and the Grenadines came third in 47.06.
Kennedy has been on a mission this season to redeem himself from the lane violation infraction that saw his 2021 Champs end early after an injury-plagued season. His moment was delayed after he finished fourth in the Class One boys’ final for Edwin Allen High School.
But in the national colours, he got his reward despite concerns about his fitness, after running hard in the preliminaries to qualify for the final. He said that his approach to the final was to ensure that he got himself into a comfortable position.
“I felt confident, even though I didn’t feel how I wanted to in terms of fitness. My strategy was just to get out hard, go out on the backstretch and get comfortable,” Kennedy told The Gleaner.
He got comfortable and powered home to victory, backed by the home crowd support of the crowd to greet him, a moment that he was waiting to enjoy with his family. In his preparations for Champs, Kennedy said that being able to stay healthy this year has contributed to his strong performances, including making the Carifta team by winning at the trials last month.
While Champs did not give him the satisfaction that he would have liked, Kennedy said that being the Carifta champion was the best possible way to complete his own personal journey towards success this year.
“It feels really good because I wanted a medal at Champs and I didn’t get it. So I came here and finally got the gold,” Kennedy said. “My mindset was to just to get out hard and finish hard. To get this gold at the Carifta Games is amazing.”