Disappointed James thankful for bronze medal

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

DONETSK, Ukraine:Hands on knees, Tiffany James shook her head in disappointment seconds after crossing the line in the girls 400m final at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine.

The young Papine High standout had just won her first medal at the world level - a bronze with a time of 53.56, but still, she was a picture of dissatisfaction.

Trailing Britain's Sabrina Bakare who won the gold medal in a personal best 52.77 and American Olivia Baker, who posted 53.38, James was in no mood to celebrate. Another shake of the head as she; as is customary, raised the country's flag and acknowledged the applause.

"To tell you the truth, I am really disappointed in myself," said James, the national and Carifta Under-17 champion in the event.

"I really didn't do what I wanted to do or follow the instructions that my coach gave me," James added. "I don't think I ran the back straight like she told me to."

Still, the youngster is grateful for the podium spot and is already looking to take all the positives she can from this experience.

"I am feeling good about the medal but disappointed with how I ran that race," James noted. "I made some simple mistakes and did not run like I planned."

"But it's my first time representing my country at this level and I am at least leaving with a medal so I have to be thankful," she added.

nervousness

The youngster pointed to nervousness as the main reason behind her failure to execute her race plan.

"I was very nervous, I have never felt this nervous before competing, but I had to tell myself that I need to come out, try and execute and give my best.

"But I didn't get to do my best here today, but I will have to be happy with that," said James, who also thanked her coach Shanikie Osbourne.

"I want to thank my coach, I am here and getting a medal because of her ..." said James.