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Yohan Blake has struggled over the last couple of years performance-wise due to a series of injuries that have hampered him, but has explained why he is still not ready to quit the sport.
Jamaican sprint legend Yohan Blake, known as the second-fastest man ever in both the 100 meters (9.69 seconds) and 200 meters (19.26 seconds), has opened up about the challenges he has faced in recent years that have hindered his performances.
Despite suggestions from critics to retire, the 34-year-old sprinter remains resolute, attributing his ongoing struggles to persistent injuries.
In an interview with SportsMax TV, Blake candidly discussed his battle with injuries and their impact on his training and competition. “I still struggle with a lot of injuries. Last year, I tried to change my regime, trying to be more specific in my lifting and more specific in my running, but I got some aches and pains,” he revealed.
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22:00 - 20.10.2024
'I pushed Bolt to another level' — Veteran Jamaican sprinter makes eye-opening claim about his role in world records
Veteran Jamaican star Yohan Blake has declared himself the best 200m runner ever, reflecting on career regrets and missed opportunities.
Blake’s career, which includes two Olympic gold medals in the 4x100m relays (London 2012 and Rio 2016) and silver medals in the 100m and 200m sprints at the London 2012 Games, has been marked by both outstanding success and significant adversity.
A major setback came in 2014 when a severe injury required surgery to reattach a muscle to the bone using aluminum, a procedure that left long-lasting effects on his body.
“Even my previous injury when my muscle came off my bone and they had to reattach it with aluminum—it is a bit rigid, so it affected me a lot,” Blake explained. These physical challenges have often thwarted his efforts to replicate his training results in actual races.
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21:08 - 21.07.2024
‘Jamaica doesn't give me respect’ – Veteran sprinter slams his country for abandoning him
The former world champion has hit out at Jamaican fans for disrespecting him despite bringing glory to the country in the past.
“Last year, I felt a lot of pain in my back. I could not run the times I wanted to run. I was training great, but it was not replicating on the track.”
Despite finishing last in the 100m at the London Diamond League, clocking 10.23 seconds, Blake’s determination has only strengthened. His response to those who urge him to retire reflects the fierce spirit that has defined his career. “Even though people say, ‘quit, quit, quit, stop,’ those are the things that drive me. They can’t make me quit. I have to make me quit,” he stated.
Blake shared a valuable piece of advice from his former training partner, Usain Bolt, the fastest man in history. “Usain once told me, ‘Trust me, when you get to a certain age, you will feel this,’” Blake recalled, noting that his own experiences now resonate with Bolt’s words.
A turning point came during a conversation with his longtime coach Glen Mills. “Before I left, coach Glen Mills told me, ‘Yohan, if you are going out there with that mindset, you better stop,’ and from then on I changed,” Blake said, highlighting the mindset shift that helped him push through adversity.
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20:00 - 31.10.2024
Usain Bolt on how he mentally dealt with angish from uncharacteristic 2011 World Championships 100m final blunder
Bolt has revealed how he finally manage to overcome the anguish he experienced from false starting before the final of the 100m at the 2011 World Athletics Championships in Daegu, and has sent an imploring message to modern athletes.
Despite the setbacks and the wear and tear on his body, Blake’s presence in the sport remains formidable. Recently, he inspired young athletes while training at Antigua’s YASCO Sports Complex, reminding them—and himself—of his enduring talent.
As Blake reflects on his journey, gratitude prevails. “I finally understood what [Bolt] meant, and that is why I thank God for everything I have achieved because not many persons in this world can say that they have achieved what I have achieved,” he said.
Blake’s legacy, carved through speed, resilience, and the undying will to compete, remains intact as he navigates the twilight of his illustrious career.
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