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Competing in her final year at the ISSA Boy’s and Girl’s Athletics Championships, Edwin Allen High intermediate hurdler Lashanna Graham is hoping to defend her Girls’ 400m hurdle title. But along with that, the lanky athlete wants to go under 57 seconds this year.

Graham has been in form all season as she is unbeaten and is going into the Championships as overwhelming favourite following her personal best of 57.36 seconds done at the Youngster Goldsmith where she destroyed the field. “ I am very confident that I can retain my title in the 400m hurdles as I get good motivation from all the people around me including my family and friends and I do not want to let them down,” she said.” I believe a lot in myself and on the day I will just go out there and deliver.”

Graham, who is also an excellent 800 metres runner, stated that she only started doing the hurdle event in 2018 and she loves it. “I only started doing the event in 2018 and I had a love for it when I watched the girls in training going over barriers and it looked good and when coach Dyke asked me to concentrate on doing it I was happy and now I prefer it over the 800 metres,” she said.

Hurdle event is very hard

According to her, the workout for the hurdle event is very hard. “Preparing for the hurdles is very hard but if you want to succeed you have to work hard and what has helped me is that I am a 800m runner so it kind of help me in my preparation.“ She has respect for all her competitors but think she is the best here. “I do not underestimate my competitors as when all of us line up at the stat everyone want to reach the winning post first but I think I am the best and I am always confident that I am going to win as I use this confidence to motivate myself.”

She is eyeing a special time this time around. “The event is not an easy one but I know I am better than my competitors and my objective is to win in a fast time and I am looking forward in running a time in the 56 seconds range,” she said.

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