(Jamaica Observer) MONTEGO BAY, St James — There are indications that former IAAF World 100m champion Yohan Blake has called it a day on his injury ravaged season.
Shortly after the announcement of his withdrawal from next month’s IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia, after failing to get over a hamstring injury he suffered in April this year, Blake released a statement that his season was over.
“Unfortunately, I will be unable to defend my title this year at the World Championships in Moscow. I know this is very disappointing news for my fans and supporters, but please understand that pulling out was the best decision for me at this time,” the statement read.
It continued: “I would like to thank you all for your love and support. I know that I have a long and bright future ahead of me, so I will see you guys next year on the track!”
Blake, whose personal best 9.69 seconds set late last year makes him the joint second fastest man of all time with American Tyson Gay behind Usain Bolt, was injured while running a 100m race at the UTech Classic in mid-April and took an eight-week break before running a 200m just before the JAAA National Senior Trials. However, he later withdrew from the Trials as his management team said he was not fit enough to compete.
As the winner of the men’s 100m gold medal at the most recent IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, in 2011, Blake had an automatic bye into the World Championships and was not obligated to compete at the National Trials.
