Injury-free and ready: Agent says Lyston is back and targeting world elite

Dwight ‘Bigga’ Thomas, the agent for 2022 World Under-20 200 metres champion Brianna Lyston, says the 21-year-old athlete is now injury-free and ready to make her mark on the global stage.

Thomas, a three-time Olympian and member of Jamaica’s gold medal 4x100m relay squads at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2009 Berlin World Championships, is the CEO for Auctus Global Sports. He also serves as a Global Ambassador for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Lyston was in fantastic form in 2024. She won the NCAA Indoor 60m title in 7.03 seconds – a personal best and school record – and clocked 10.91 seconds to win the 100m at the SEC Outdoor Championships while at Louisiana State University. Based on that form, she was expected to challenge for an individual spot on Jamaica’s Olympic team, but injury derailed her bid.

Earlier this year, she also had a strong indoor campaign before injury again forced her to miss the outdoor season. In May, she ended her NCAA eligibility by signing a professional contract with Adidas.

Thomas spoke glowingly about his young charge.

“Brianna is now injury-free and ready to unleash,” said Thomas. “We are targeting the 2027 World Championships in Beijing and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but her launch begins next year with the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

“She’s now mentally and physically ready. As her agent, I’ll make sure she’s fully supported. She trains at a great facility in Clermont, Florida, just 10 minutes from home. It’s not a big city – the perfect environment for her preparation.”

Sprint double

Although Lyston’s favourite event is the 200m (22.31 personal best), Thomas said she is likely to focus on both the 100m (Pb 10.91) and 200m, as she has the ability to excel in both.

Thomas also manages two other young Jamaican sprinters – Alana Reid and Niesha Burgher.

Reid, who set the fastest ever time over 100m by a high school girl when she ran 10.92 at the 2023 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships, turned professional that same year. However, she has struggled to replicate that form since. Many fans believe she should have gone the college route or stayed in Jamaica.

Thomas explained, “I don’t think going to those camps in the US helped her. It wasn’t the coaching – it was the environment. She’s excited to return home, and I support her 100 per cent. Seeing what Tia and Tina Clayton achieved while training in Jamaica will motivate her, and I expect her to get back to top form.”

He also praised Burgher’s resilience.

“Neisha wasn’t a standout in high school at Excelsior High because the COVID-19 pandemic limited her opportunities,” said Thomas. “She went to the University of Texas at El Paso, not a big track school, but she proved her worth by reaching the Olympic semi-finals in the 200m for Jamaica last year.”

Burgher ran one of the fastest indoor 200m times this year – 22.39 seconds – before an Achilles tendon injury ended her season.

“She’s fully recovered and ready to go,” said Thomas. “She’s a sleeper. She took the summer off, but she’ll be back stronger and hungrier.”

With his three young athletes poised to make an impact on Jamaica’s senior team, Thomas believes the country’s female sprinters are entering another golden era.

“With this new core of young women, Jamaica is ready to dominate sprinting again,” he declared. “I believe we’ll soon break the 40.82 seconds world record in the women’s 4x100m relay. Many of these girls were part of the team that broke the World Under-20 record, and with Jamaica’s great coaches, we’ll take that record from the US sooner rather than later.”