Hyman looking to bounce back at World’s

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 31 July 2017

Kemar Hyman, one of two athletes representing the Cayman Islands at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London from 4-13 August, is looking forward to putting his best foot forward as he competes in the 100m.

“It’s not been one of my greatest years but I still have to give God thanks and go out there, be happy and perform,” said Hyman, whose season’s best of 10.15 seconds came in Madrid, Spain on 14 July.

The national record holder for the marquee sprint – 9.95 sec set in 2012 – said he developed issues with his hamstring at the NatWest Island Games in Gotland earlier this summer. “It was probably because of the weather. I was going just a bit too hard,” he said.

In Gotland, where temperatures were in the low 60s, Hyman’s best time of 10.17 seconds came in the semifinals, the fastest ever time run by an athlete at that competition. He slowed a bit in the finals but won comfortably with 10.25 seconds.

The Georgia-based runner said since then, he’s been balancing between rehabbing the injury and competing. “I didn’t want to hurt it anymore,” he said. “I’ve been getting rest…which has thrown off practice schedules.”

However, the 28-year-old said he’s ready for the World Championships in London, where he’ll feature in the event that is seen as a sendoff for the iconic Jamaica, Usain Bolt.

“I’m planning to go there and have fun like how I normally do it. Don’t think too much; just go in there and do my thing,” Hyman said. He’ll likely want to improve on his showing at the event, where he has never advanced past the heats.

Hyman was dominant in Gotland.

Joining him in representing the Cayman Islands will be 18-year-old Jamal Walton, who will run in the 400m. “I’m pretty happy that we have youngster in Jamal, who has stepped up and can definitely take the torch from me or [hurdler] Ronald [Forbes] when we’re finished with track and field.”

Hyman and Walton were among the top performers for the Cayman Islands in Gotland. Hyman added a 4x100m relay gold to his solo effort, while Walton was dominant in both the 200m and 400m.

It was Hyman’s first time at the Games and provided him with an experience that he will remember for some time, especially because he was part of a team of athletes, unlike his regular appearances on the professional circuit and at other international events, where he’s often one of two or three athletes representing the Cayman Islands on the track.

“I never had that type of experience when going to Worlds…going there and doing things different there gave me the relaxation of being with a team and do the opening and closing ceremonies. It allowed me to bond with some of the younger athletes there who I hadn’t been to meets with. That was a big thing for me. I’m pretty happy about that experience there,” he said.

The Florida State University alumnus is scheduled to run Friday, 4 August, in the opening round of the 100m.

CaymanSportsBuzz.com will have IAAF World Championships updates whenever Hyman or Walton take the track.