Anthony Foster, Freelance WriterWORLD JUNIOR Champion-
ships silver medallist, Aneisha McLaughlin, said she is happy with her performance on yesterday's fourth day of the 10th Coca Cola/IAAF World Junior Championships in Grosseto, Italy.
"I am not disappointed with my performance. During this season I had a lot of mishaps (injuries) and to come back here and secure the silver medal, it's a very good feeling," said the Holmwood athlete, who had also won a silver medal in the same event at the 2002 WJC in Kingston.
The World Youth champion, who ran a season best 23.21 behind American Shalonda Solomon (22.82 championship record), said she wasn't under any pressure, but "...was very nervous because she (Solomon) was drawn behind me, I wanted her to be in front."
LANE DRAWS
McLaughlin was drawn in lane six and Solomon in lane five.
However, she said what made the difference was "my coach (Maurice Wilson) told me I must just go out there and run, don't put myself under any pressure and that's what I went out and did."
Meanwhile, bronze medallist Anderson who stopped the clock 23.46 for third in the same race, was thankful for winning the bronze medal.
"I am so happy that the Lord has blessed me with a medal," Anderson said.
Jamaica's other medal winner yesterday, Kay-Ann Thompson, said expressed self-belief was the driving force that pushed her valiant effort.
After advancing to the final as one of the slowest losers, Thompson recovered to break Inez Turner's 13-year national 800m junior record of 2:02.68 when she ran 2:02.67 and became the first Jamaican to secure a WJC medal in this event.
"The race was very competitive, so I tried my best to keep up with the field, before taking the lead," Thompson explained.
As for the record, Thompson, of Edwin Allen, added:
"I knew I could run 2:02.00, I wanted to run it from senior trial but I didn't get the chance, so I proved it today."
