Calabar again, says O'Hara

Michael O'Hara, one of the outstanding athletes on Calabar High's winning team at last year's ISSA-Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls' Championships, is backing his former school to again emerge ahead of the pack at the March 15-19 meet.

The 19-year-old won gold medals in the Class One boys 100 metres, 200m and 110m hurdles as Calabar won their fourth consecutive title last year. Now a professional athlete, O'Hara says his performance last year is helping to inspire this year's team.

"They are really fantastic. They train very hard, I am the past captain for Calabar, and they see me in training and they just put in the same effort I put in and come out and look to be victorious," O'Hara shared with STAR Sports.

RELAY PARTICIPATION

The talented athlete, now being conditioned by Glen Mills at Racers Track Club, assured he was happy with his participation in the men's sprint medley at the Gibson McCook Relays at the National Stadium last Saturday.

The UWI Mona team placed fourth in the men's 1600m sprint medley.

O'Hara had high praise for current Calabar Class Two star Christopher Taylor.

He was not surprised by the World Youth 400m champion's 10.44 seconds clocking over 100m recently.

"He is a very talented athlete. He is training very hard, and he is very focused and strong. I expected that time and the Class Two 4x100m team can go at least 39.80," added O'Hara.

O'Hara has his sights set on this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"It's a very great feeling to be around the fastest man in the world (Usain Bolt), and training among the fastest people and best team in the world. They all treat each other like brothers so it's a family," said O'Hara, who added that his coach will decide which events he will compete in.