By KELSIE JOHNSON, NG Sports Reporter

kelsie@nasguard.com

For those of you who were hoping to catch one more glimpse of Derrick Atkins in action this year, you would just have to wait a little while longer.

The silver medalist at the International Association of Athletics Federations' (IAAF) World Championships and The Bahamas' national record holder in the 100 meters, Atkins has decided to bring his season to a close. The high-ranking sprinter on the world level revealed to The Nassau Guardian in an interview yesterday that his decision was not entirely based on his performance at the recently held World Championships, but a decision he made months prior to opening his season. However, no definite date for closure was penciled in by Atkins, who was expected to compete in Zurich, Switzerland at the Weltklasse Golden League meet.

He said: "No, I am not (competing) and I'm done for this season. The goal this year was World Championship and after that it was based on how I feel. I don't want to run the rest of the meets. I am tried and just want to take a short break to refocus and get ready for next year that's all.

"Its been a great year and I'm happy with the way that it turned out. I didn't get the gold that I wanted but instead I got a silver, which is really close to it, so that's really good. This year I was also able to set new personal best times and national records so I really can't be mad at that, but most importantly I gained some experience that I will use for next year."

The former standout in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) at Dickinson State University got his first taste of international competition on the senior level in 2005, when he competed in first World Championships. At that event, Atkins failed to advance out of the first round. His second international competition on the world level came at last year's Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC), where he won the silver medal and set a national record, a time of 10.08 seconds.

This year, Atkins returned in April to lower the record at a meet in Berkeley, California, running 9.98 seconds. At the recent World Championships held in Osaka, Japan, Atkins dipped once again, setting the national record at 9.91 seconds.

Despite having all this success, some persons still believe that Atkins is not at the top of his game and that there are a few things that need to be changed if he hopes to improve. However, Atkins strongly believes that he is on the right path and said he will stick to his style of racing.

He said: "I won't change anything really. You know it's my first year and it was all a learning process for me, I had to curve some things, so what I didn't do this year I will try my best to apply it next year to make myself better. I want the entire world to expect the best from me once I stay healthy. That will be the key with winning and losing, coming into next year healthy and staying focussed, so I just hope and pray that I stay healthy and have a good year again.

"I've already set a few goals for myself for next year, a new national record is a part of that plan, so yes I feel as though I can do it. Like I said, it's just a matter of me understanding and knowing when and how to run fast when it counts. For me, setting new national records means a lot because it's something for the next generation of sprinters following me to strive to beat. I am happy to pave the way for the ones coming after me."

Atkins was expected to challenge both Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay at the 5th World Athletics Final, set for September 22-23, in Stuttgart, Germany.