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Tuesday, June 30, 2009

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Can't go wrong with this duo! By SHELDON LONGLEYNG ~ Sports Editor ~ slongleynasguard.com: Last year, it was between Donald and Derrick.... this year it appears to be either Chris or Leevan. For the second year in a row, Chris Brown has had arguably the best season of his life.... but, unfortunately for the second year in a row it just might not be good enough for him to capture the BAAA 'Senior Male Athlete of the Year' award. In athletics, Bahamian men have really stepped up to the forefront on the world stage in recent times, and this year has been no different. Barring the injury-plagued, disappointing years by World Champion Donald Thomas and Derrick Atkins, it's really been a pretty respectable year for Bahamian men in athletics. Chris Brown was once again spectacular, Shamar Sands had a national record setting year, the men's 4x400 meter team finally came through at the Olympic level, and of course there was 'Superman' Leevan Sands, who was nothing short of exceptional this year. He had one of the most resurgent years in the history of Bahamian athletics. In the end, it's probably going to come down to Chris or Leevan though, and it would be much deserved for either one. The BAAA is expected to hand out that award on Saturday, December 27 at its annual awards banquet. Not to lessen the significance of the other three top awards, but the one for 'Sr. Male Athlete of the Year' is certainly expected to garner most of the spotlight. A closer look at Chris and Leevan will reveal an easy-going, fun-loving character on the outside for both young men, but all-out determination, dedication and desire when it comes to their events on the track. They are both devoted to their training and will give it their all in competition. I have no doubt about that, despite what the critics might say. Chris has taken a lot of 'flack' in the past about not executing in the big meets and not laying it all out on the line when it matters the most, but to me, this couldn't be further from the truth. I was there with him in Rio last year, and again in Beijing this year, and anyone who watches him in action would notice that the notion of him not giving 100 percent on the track certainly doesn't carry any weight at all. Chris is as fierce as a competitor as I have ever seen. As a matter of fact, his nickname is 'The Fireman'. In my view, he is the most consistent quarter-miler in the history of athletics for The Bahamas. Just this year alone, he turned in 10 sub-45 second races, and finally broke the outdoor national record which he shared with Avard Moncur. In Rio de Janeiro last year, he became the first Bahamian male to win an individual gold medal at the Pan Am Games in athletics, with a blistering time of 44.85 seconds in the 400m. He came back later in the meet and anchored the men's mile team to another gold medal for The Bahamas. This year has arguably been the best year of Chris's career, even though he came short of a medal at the Beijing Olympic Games in the open quarter. Switching coaches at the beginning of 2008 definitely paid off for him as he recorded the most sub 45-second races he has ever had in one year. He was the third fastest quarter-miler in the world year, and was primed for an individual medal at the Olympic Games but was edged out for third courtesy of a diving David Neville at the tape. It was another heart-breaking finish for Chris, but there was no doubt that he had laid it all out on the line. American LaShawn Merritt pulled off a stunning upset over defending Olympic Champion Jeremy Wariner. Wariner held on for the silver and Neville completed the American sweep as he snatched the bronze away from Chris. It was still an impressive time of 44.84 seconds for Brown though, just four one hundredths of a second behind Neville. He still finished as the third ranked quarter-miler in the world this year, climaxed by his third place finish in the World Athletics Final. I had a chance to speak with Chris before that Olympic final in Beijing and he was as focused as I have ever seem him. He was confident that he would bring home a medal for The Bahamas - be it gold, silver or bronze. He even executed like he wanted to on the track, but it just turned out to be one of those days for our local hero. And in a post-race interview, it was quite obvious that no one was as distraught about the result as Chris. As for Leevan, if he doesn't win the BAAA 'Sr. Male Athlete of the Year' award, he'll certainly get the BAAA 'Comeback Athlete of the Year' award. The latter doesn't exist, but it is just a testament of the uphill battle he had to endure over the past two years. Leevan initially began his long road back to the top in the 2007 season. He settled for a sixth place finish in the men's Triple Jump at the Pan Am Games with a distance of 16.67m (54' 8 1/4"), but having missed the better part of the 2006 season, he was just elated to be competing again, and was looking forward to bigger and better things to come. Leevan had a best jump of 17.23m (56' 6 1/4") that year, signaling his return to form, and showing promise for the 2008 season. As this year got underway, Leevan left no doubt that he was once a force to be reckoned with on the world stage. The national record holder had 10 leaps over 17 meters this year, easily the most of his career. He had just three leaps over 17m during his World Championships' bronze medal winning season of 2003, just two in an injury-plagued season of 2004 and another two in 2005. He was out for six months in 2006 and used 2007 as a comeback year. This year, the Bahamian 'Superman' has truly been remarkable, and he saved his best for the biggest stage - the Olympic Games. Leevan popped a national record setting 17.59m (57' 8 1/2") leap in Beijing for the Olympic bronze medal - the only individual Olympic medal for The Bahamas this year. So, at the end of the day, there is little doubt that it is going to come down to either Chris or Leevan for this year's BAAA 'Sr. Male Athlete of the Year' award. It wasn't an easy road for either of them, but they both persevered, and in my view, are certainly the two most deserving for the award.