The 16-year-old Jamaican sprinter who smashed a long-held record by Usain Bolt revealed he was not even the fastest person in his class.
Jet-heeled youngster Nickecoy Bramwell is already generating a huge wave of excitement in the world of athletics. In May, Bramwell shattered Bolt's long-held under-17 400m world record at the Carifta Games in Grenada.
He blitzed the opposition with a staggering time of 47.26 seconds - 0.07 seconds faster than the eight-time Olympic gold medallist's previous 22-year record. Nearly seven years after Bolt announced his retirement, Bramwell is emerging as one of the next stars from the Caribbean island.
However, he has not always been blessed with remarkable speed. According to the man himself, for a long time, he was not even the fastest person in his class.
Jamaica has a rich history of producing many of the finest sprinters in the world. Bramwell's experience of often finishing behind his classmates perfectly sums up how fast youngsters are in the country.
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The teenager divulged his early days running with his friends in a February interview with the Jamaican newspaper, the Gleaner. When asked about his inspirations, he said: "It was Usain Bolt.
"I looked at him as an idol and I decided I wanted to be like him, and that’s why I started track and field. I started in primary school. I wasn’t the fastest at the time, so it’s really just hard work for me."
Nickecoy Bramwell looks set to become the next start of Jamaican athletics (X/Caribbean News Network)He also added: “It’s a great feeling, you know, to represent your country and to win for your country. My family is always there. They’re always at my track meets since the season has started. I can’t really answer that now about medals, but the season has been good. No, I don’t feel any pressure at all for this Championship really. It’s just a great feeling to represent Calabar.”
Two months later, Bramwell would go on to break Bolt's iconic record for Jamaica in staggering fashion. It was a performance, which made his name even more famous around the world.
In his post-race interview after his historic sprint, he said: "It's a wonderful feeling to break the record. Since last summer, I have been eyeing the record. So it's a great feeling I could come out here and get it. I just took my mind off it and focused on the record. I'm looking forward to better things.”
Nickecoy Bramwell as he broke Usain Bolt's under-17 400m world record (SportsMaxTV)Meanwhile, Bolt is now watching the world of athletics as a fan, as well as taking part in other events such as the SoccerAid clash at Stamford Bridge on June 9. But the 37-year-old is still keeping his eye on the next generation of talented athletes.
In a previous interview, Bolt admitted he wants to see some new personalities make their mark on the athletic world. He said: "After me, it kind of went down because of who I was as a person, and how big my personality was.
"But I think over time it will be better. I think young athletes are coming up and I see a few personalities that are needed in sport, hopefully in the upcoming years it will change.”
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