By Michelangelo Jacobus

GUYANA’S National Javelin record holder, Leslain Baird, a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) athlete is currently in Jamaica competing today in the GC Foster Classic/ Digicel Grand Prix.
The GDF rank has set himself a goal of bettering Guyana’s national record and reset his Personal Best (PB) throw.

For 2018 thus far, Baird has thrown at four official competitions and each time he has improved and broken Guyana’s national record twice. In January, he competed twice at the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC), on the 14th he threw 70.74m; the 70m mark has become a norm for Baird, however just seven days later on the 21st, Baird leapt up to 73.30m at the same venue.

On February 10, Baird eclipsed his PB and in so doing set a National Record of 74.71m.This was just a prelude of greater things to come in the following week when he travelled to Port of Spain, Trinidad to compete at that country’s pre-Commonwealth Games meet.
He promptly qualified for the said Commonwealth Games and went one better in terms of his PB and Guyana’s national record, as he threw 74.76m. For his effort he was second overall.

In an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport, Baird revealed; “since I came back from Trinidad and Tobago I have been putting in some technique work and at the same time staying in the gym to keep strong.”

“I am very confident ahead of my competition on Saturday (today) and I know I will win, but my whole aim is to get up pass the 76m barrier. It is my last competition before heading off to the Commonwealth Games and I aim to make it count.”

He also pointed out that the competition at the meet will be of a high level and he is counting on his rivals to bring their very best as he will feed off of the competition to up his game.

“I know two of the guys and they are 70+m thrower so I hope they bring their ‘A’ games.”
The GC Foster Classic/ Digicel Grand Prix is a yearly meet organised by the Jamaican Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) and is being hosted at the National Stadium.