The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SPRINTER Anthonique Strachan said she was quite devastated when she suffered the grade one strain to her left quad during Monday night’s heats of the women’s 200 metres at the World Championships.

Coming around the bend in second place, Strachan attempted to surge down the home stretch when the injury occurred, and she had to hobble through the rest of the race in lane eight at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

“I felt like I got hit in my quad and that was it,” Strachan recalled in an interview with The Tribune on what she remembered that took place with the injury.

“At that time I wasn’t worrying about the pain, it was more like not again. I’ve never had a quad problem before, but I felt I did everything needed to get myself ready for the championships and I still had a problem.”

As she went down with the injury, Strachan missed out on the opportunity to join Tynia Gaither in advancing to the semifinals.

The duo was coming off their semifinal appearances in the 100m the night before.

Strachan had posted her second lifetime best this year as she dropped her season’s best from 10.99 to 10.98 in her semifinals of the 100m, finishing in 10th place overall, two spots shy of advancing to the final.

“I felt stronger, and I was better prepared for these championships, and I worked on my physical and mental aspects this season,” Strachan pointed out.

“I felt I was on a path to being healthy, but I clearly missed something.”

The only thing she missed is not competing again in the championships, but Strachan said she’s hoping that it’s not the end of her 2022 campaign.

“Mentally, I’m telling myself that my season isn’t done, so I want to work towards coming back so I don’t end my season like this,” she stressed. “I just have to get another medical test done tomorrow (today) and see where I am.”

Having to walk around on crutches to maintain her weight for the second time in her career, Strachan said she’s coping with the fact that injuries strike at any time in sports.

“I’m emotionally disappointed, but I was able to run a PR (personal best) in the 100m, which was my weakest event on paper,” Strachan said. “That would have set me up for what I expect for the 200m. “Right now, I’m just using the ice packs and keeping my leg elevated,” she stated. “I will start some physical therapy on it today (yesterday).”

Strachan said the Bahamas team members have been very supportive in her dilemma and while she was also hoping to come back and be a part of the pool for the women’s 4 x 400m relay on Saturday, she just wants to “wish them all the best.”

At the same token, Strachan commended her Jamaican rivals for the first sweep by any country of the women’s 100m at the championships on Sunday night.

“I’m happy for them because Shericka (Jackson) is my training partner,” said Strachan, who trains out of the MVP Track Club in Jamaica.

“I am also happy for Elaine in winning the bronze, but it was good to see Shelly-Ann (Fraser- Pryce) come through with the gold and the championship record. I am happy for all of them.”

Bahamas head coach Rupert Gardiner said it was an unfortunate blow to lose Strachan, considering the fact that the team had already lost defending men’s 400m champion Steven Gardiner, who had to withdraw before the start of the championships because of an injury.

Despite those two setbacks, Gardiner said there’s a still a ray of hope that the Bahamas will continue its streak of winning a global medal at the championship since it first started in 2012.

“We still have Devynne (Charlton in the women’s 100m hurdles), Shaunae (Miller-Uibo in the women’s 400m, Ken Mullings (in the men’s decathlon) and the women’s 4 x 400m relay to go,” Gardiner said.

“So, our hopes are high, and our expectations are great. “Things happen and we just have to hold tight. Everybody has to be together and do what they have to do. Anthonique has already done a personal best and Shaunae is next, so we will see exactly what will happen.”

After watching the team of Bradley Dormeus, Megan Moss, Alonzo Russell and Doneisha Anderson bow out in the heats of the mixed relay on the first day of competition on Saturday, Gardiner said they are looking forward to the women’s 4 x 400m relay with the pool comprising of Moss, Anderson, Javonya Valcourt and Janae Ambrose.

“We still have a couple days before the relays start, so everybody is out training and everybody is looking good,” Gardiner said. “We still have to decide who will run first, second, third and anchor legs. We haven’t decided that yet.”

Should the team advance, Gardiner said Miller-Uibo has indicated that she will be available to compete after she is done with the final of the 400m on Friday night.

The heats for the 4 x 400m is on Saturday and the final will take place on the final day of competition on Sunday.

Gardiner said Gaither has also made herself available to compete in the relay, if needed.