Olympian Winston George said his eyes are set on the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) Moscow, World Championships following an impressive personal best time of 20.76 seconds in the third USATF New York Twilight Series 200m final in Manhattan, New York.
In an exclusive interview, the athlete told Stabroek Sport that he is doing well and is ready to make Guyana proud as he looks forward to the 2016 Olympics.
George, running at the Icahn Stadium finished second overall (final by time) to Clement Campbell’s 20.74 seconds after winning his heat in a new personal best time.
Brijesh Lawrence clocked 20.79 seconds for a third place finish. The 26-year-old 400m specialist, who recently celebrated his birthday in the USA, posted on his Facebook profile:“It was not a bad day for me, could have done better but it is what it is,” after the race.
Coached by Joe Ryan who is also the coach of Olympian Aliann Pompey and US Alexander Steve, George explained that he had a few hiccups at the start of his 200m.
“I just felt good but I had a few hiccups in the start of the race but I finished strong,” he disclosed.
The local star said that he was injury free and told Stabroek Sport he has a few upcoming races which include relays in New Jersey, Boston and Canada. His second race will be in two weeks and he will be in full training.
Meanwhile, on May 16, the Guyanese anchored Central Park Track Club to a second place finish in the men’s 4x400m final at the Icahn Stadium.
According to his local coach Lyndon Wilson, George clocked 47 seconds in his leg.
Zenith Velocity AC ‘A’ team won the relay in 3:20.18 seconds, George’s team finished second with 3:20.71 seconds while Zenith Velocity AC ‘B’ team clocked 3:30.23 seconds for third place.
Wilson was also confident that the local quarter-mile king will qualify in the 400m for the upcoming Moscow IAAF World Championships.
The qualifying ‘A’ and ‘B’ standards are 45.28 seconds and 45.60 seconds respectively.
The ALBA Games silver-medalist has a personal best of 45.86 seconds which was achieved in 2011 at the said Games in Venezuela. The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Athlete of the Year, is presently on a US training stint sponsored by the Guyana Police Force and is set to return in August.
