Ennis-London at the International Invitation Meet at the National Stadium earlier this month.
-Ricardo Makyn photoAnthony Foster, Freelance Writer
FORMER THREE-TIME national 100 metres hurdles champion Delloreen Ennis-London is back.
The former national record holder said recently: "I just want the world to know that 'Dello' is back."
These words were uttered after she fought off a career-threatening injury with a good season opening time of 12.76 at the North University of North Texas (NUNT) two weeks ago and not feeling any pain.
"I was hurdling great, no pressure and I ran 12.76 and to me that like an eye-opener because never in my career had I opened that fast. That told me that I am back to where I was - even better," Ennis-London said a day before her 12.69 seconds clocking at the Jamaica International Invitational held at the National Stadium.
TOUGH TIME
"I had a tough time but I am keeping my fingers crossed that this year is the year that Delloreen makes her comeback and lets everybody know that she is back," said Ennis-London, who during the injury break gave birth to her daughter, Zarina.
A resident of Abilene, Texas in the United States and formerly of St. Catherine, Ennis-London is confident she will return with a bang.
"I have made a statement by opening up with 12.76 seconds, the fastest I have ever opened up," she said.
With this, along with 12.69 seconds done at the first Jamaica International Invitatio-nal over a week ago and 12.51 (wind: +2.1 m/s) at last Friday's Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix, Ennis-London, who was No. 2 ranked in 2000 behind American Gail Devers, said she just wants to stay healthy ahead of next month's National Championships.
A Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Champion-ship 100m hurdles gold medallist, Ennis-London said she is not concerned about her competitors at the trials. National champion Brigitte Foster, Lacena Golding-Clarke, Von-ette Dixon and Dionne Rose-Henley are the other top sprint hurdlers.
"It's going to be a tough one but at the end of the day it's all about on the day and we all can react on the day," she said.
KNEE INJURY
Ennis-London, also a former four-time NCAA 55m hurdles champion, was sidelined with a knee injury she aggravated at the Paris Golden League meet in 2001.
She said she hit the 10th hurdle and twisted her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). It was an injury that also occurred in 1993 while she attended St. Jago High.
"That kind of took a toll, knowing that it was the same injury. Twice I had ligament replacement," said Ennis-London, who was a gold medal contender at the 2001 World Championships.
However, after two outdoor meets this season, Ennis-London said things were going pretty well physically, although there were some days when her knee acts up. However, whenever that happens, she tries not to do too much.
Ennis-London, 29, who plans to do her Masters in International Business Management after track and field, wants to make Jamaica proud this year.
"That has always been my ultimate goal, to go out there (Olympics) and take home that gold for Jamaica," said Ennis-London who had her national record taken away by Foster whose new mark is 12.45.
During her injury, Ennis-London said the help of Laurie Foster, her family in Macca Tree (St. Catherine) and her husband, Lincoln London, motivated her.
