Holding the fastest junior female 400 metres time ever recorded on American soil by a high school runner, overseas-based sprinter Kadecia Baird will don Guyana colors in an attempt to capture this country’s first World Junior medal.
The World Junior Championships which will be held in Spain from July 10-15 is the highest stage for all juniors and will be the greatest testing ground for the rising 17-year-old as she has broken many records this year over the 400 metres distance.
The long legged sprinter earlier in the year was in such great form that she could have been considered for a 400 metres berth at the 2012 London Olympics when she ran the ‘B’ standard qualifying time of 52.14s at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals late last month.
Speaking with Baird in an exclusive interview, Stabroek Sport learnt of how she has come into such great form.
“Well basically I approach each race with a different mentality of winning and go out and run hard,” Baird told Stabroek Sport.
Relating what she has done differently to drastically improve her time since dressing in national colors last year, Baird commented, “Well it’s been hard work, been working on a few things and I’m running well,” the speedster stated. Baird will also be involved in the female 100 metres race although she is not familiar with that event but she is willing to try something different.
“I’m in the 100 because I just want to try something different but my main focus is the 400,” Baird said.
Looking towards her main event, the 400 metres, Baird believes that her preparation will be good enough to allow her to do well in Guyana colors.
“I’m just happy to be running for my country and this time will be different because I have been working hard and also I have been preparing mentally to do well, so I know I will do well,” Baird stated.
In her current form Baird is expected to reach the final and possibly medal as her time ranks with some of the best female juniors in the world. However, Baird will have to stick to her game plan to pull off such a feat.
What is her game plan? … “I don’t have a strategy – I’m just going out there to run hard and have fun doing it,” Baird told Stabroek Sport in the interview.
