News10 Jul 2009


Prezel Hardy ready for the Big Guys

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Prezel Hardy of USA wins the Boys' 100m final (© Getty Images)

United States’ Prezel Hardy says apart from been the world’s top sprinter, his 100-metre victory on Thursday suggested he has what it takes to compete with the big guys.

“As far as youth goes, I am the top competitor in the world, which means I have what it takes to compete with the big boys,” he said while eying a similar success at the World Junior Championships next year.

Asked how far he is behind, and what exactly he mean by ‘big guys’ Hardy only said: “a couple steps behind, not too many I hope ... but people like Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay, they are a good distance ahead of me. They are running faster times, they work harder, but hopefully I will be there one day.”

 The Ellison High school (Texas) student, says he admires his countryman Gay, the World Championships sprint double champion, because of how he is physically built.

“He is someone I can relate to easily, where as anybody else like Bolt, he has things I don’t have, he is tall, he is able to reach more ground, but I am short, similar to Tyson, so that is why I look up to him more,” he explained.

Now, the success of Gay, and Bolt, who stunned the world last year with breathtaking runs – 9.69 (100m) and 19.30 (200m) – both World records to win the sprint double at the Beijing Olympic Games, makes Hardy want to become a professional in the sport.

“Yes, I like to see myself being there one day and I am working hard for that to happen,” he said.

Meanwhile, the 17-year-old, who is still celebrating his 100m success, described the feeling as “great”.

“I feel amazing, I feel blessed, really blessed,” he said after the final.

“Something like this, a great event like this, this is not something many people can say they've done in their lifetime. This win represents the start of great things to come. It's an incredible feeling.

“It’s not my best time, I wanted to run better, but the most important thing is I won, that’s all I care about right now,” he added.

Anthony Foster for the IAAF

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