Former American sprint hero reveals three qualities about Tyson Gay that made him great

Former American sprint hero reveals three qualities about Tyson Gay that made him great

Mark Kinyanjui 06:00 - 28.06.2024

Tyson Gay is the joint second-fastest man of all time alongside Jamaican Johan Blake, and Spearmon has now revealed three qualities about his former teammate that made Gay a great sprinter.

Former American sprinter Wallace Spearmon has revealed the qualities about his former teammate Tyson Gay that made him a great athlete.

Gay, who competed in both the 100 and 200 meters, holds a personal best of 9.69 seconds in the 100 m, tying him as the second fastest athlete ever in that event. 

He has achieved significant success in international competitions, winning three gold medals in the 100 m, 200 m, and 4 × 100 m relay at the 2007 Osaka World Championships. 

Gay is also a four-time U.S. champion in the 100 m. His accolades include winning the Jesse Owens Award twice, being named the 2007 IAAF World Athlete of the Year, and receiving the Best Track and Field Athlete award from Track & Field News in 2007 and the ESPY Award in 2008 and 2011. 

He has consistently delivered top performances, including a wind-assisted 9.68 seconds in the 100 m at the 2008 Olympic Trials and a 9.71 seconds finish to win the 100 m silver medal at the 2009 World Championships, the fastest non-winning time in history.

Now, Spearmon, who worked with Gay under the guidance of coach Lance Brauman, has explained what made Tyson such a threat in both short-sprint events.

According to Spearmon, there are three main reasons behind Gay's exceptional performance during an appearance on the Ready Set Go podcats

1.Discipline and dedication

“Tyson was disciplined. He always did everything that needed to be done,” Spearmon said. This unwavering dedication to training and preparation was a cornerstone of Gay's success. 

Spearmon emphasized that Gay's commitment to his routine and his ability to stay focused on his goals set him apart from many of his peers.

2.Love for the spotlight 

“Coach Brauman always used to say the great ones love an audience, and Tyson loved to go out there and just shine. He would tell you ‘stun on them haters, shine!’” Spearmon recalled. 

Gay thrived under pressure and enjoyed performing in front of a crowd, which drove him to excel in major competitions.

3.Exceptional work ethic and physical gifts

“Tyson’s biggest strength is his work ethic, I will give you that,” Spearmon noted. He also highlighted Gay's natural talent, particularly his exceptional turnover speed, which he described as "God-given." 

Furthermore, Gay's dedication to the weight room and strength training was another critical factor in his success. Spearmon shared anecdotes of Gay joining different training groups and excelling in their workouts, demonstrating his versatility and superior fitness level.

Spearmon's insights provide a deeper understanding of the attributes that contributed to Tyson Gay's remarkable career.

 From his disciplined approach to his love for competition and his rigorous work ethic, these factors combined to make Gay one of the most outstanding sprinters of his generation.

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