Thompson ready for WYC challenge

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

DONETSK, Ukraine:

Yanique Thompson will walk into Donetsk'sStadium RSC Olimpiyskiy with a huge target on her back. But the 17-year-old is hardly bothered by the extra pressure.

The young Holmwood Technical sprint hurdling star is one of the biggest medal hopes for Jamaica at the IAAF World Youth Championships, having shown herself to be the top 17-years and under 100m hurdler in the world, with the fastest time recorded this year - 13.36 - which she posted at an All Comers meet in early June.

However, the Spanish Town native is not allowing the heightened expectation or the fact that this will be her first time competing at the world level to get to her, as she locks into her main objectives, well aware that each of the planet's top sprint hurdlers in her age group will be looking to beat her.

"I know that everyone wants to beat me, so I have to work extra hard because everyone is aiming for me, but I will be ready and I look forward to the challenge," a confident Thompson told The Gleaner.

Thompson will be among the first Jamaicans in action on Wednesday's opening day of action, with the 100m hurdles heat set for 9:30 a.m. (1:30 a.m. Jamaica time).

"It's very exciting and I hope to go out there and do my best because it is, of course, my first time at this level and I am hoping to leave a mark and show the best of my abilities; that would be getting the gold, or even a medal," added the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys' and Girls' Championships Class Two winner and national junior champion.

"It's been a good season so far for me and hopefully it ends with me getting a medal at the World Youth Championships," Thompson added, with a hint of displeasure where her preparation is concerned.

"I am pretty happy with my year overall, even though it could have been better, but I am grateful. My preparation could have been a little better I think, but all in all feel in very good shape," Thompson noted.