KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake says he’s grown into a different path and no longer wishes to be cited as “The Beast.”
Blake, who burst on to the global scene when he sprinted to gold in the 100m at the 2011 IAAF World Championships, was nicknamed “The Beast” by his track and field fans, but said he has dropped the name.
He is finally fit again after suffering hamstring setbacks over the last few seasons, and he said he’s now looking forward to the Olympic Games in Rio, later this summer.
The 26-year-old provided a teasing peek of his early season preparations at the weekend when he ran a world-leading 9.95 seconds at the 2016 MVP Track and Field meeting at the National Stadium on Saturday (17).
He then revealed what has been going on in his life in the past few weeks.
“I must give God thanks,” he said in the Jamaica-Gleaner. “He has been present in my life and has changed my life over the past weeks, and I have gotten rid of that name the ‘Beast’.
“I am happy for the win as I came out and delivered and it is like a heavy load has been lifted off my head.
“While warming up before the race, I felt very good, and I am extremely happy with my first outing.
“This is a big step for me, and I can say Yohan is back,” Blake added.
Blake won two individual silver medals behind training mate and world record holder Usain Bolt at the 2012 London Olympic Games and the talented Jamaican sprinter is hoping to either equal or better those achievements in Brazil.
He was also a member of the Jamaican quartet that set a world record in the men’s 4x100m relay.