Bolt clone emerges in Jamaica

JAMAICA - Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt may have set the race tracks around the world on fire with his record breaking feats, the latest being three golds at the World Championships in Berlin, Germany, but there is a replica in the making back home.

The Jamaican Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) has zeroed in on 13-year-old Shawn Salmon, who also hails from Bolt’s hometown Trelawny.

According to the Sunday Express, Samon possesses the same steely determination and muscular build that top sprinters need.

But the comparison doesn’t stop there. He also holds the 100 metres record at Bolt’s old school, Waldensia All-age in Trelawny, and he is in the sprint team at William Knibb Memorial High School, where Bolt was also a pupil, under the watchful eye of his old coach Dwayne Jarrett.

Like his hero, Shawn also competes in both the 100 metres and 200 metres events.

“Shawn has got great potential and there are a lot of similarities to Usain when he was his age,” said a member of staff at William Knibb.

Shawn admitted he hopes to emulate his hero one day. “He is my idol and I want to be just like him when I grow up,” he said.

“I believe if I train hard, one day I will be able to run at the Olympic Games,” he added.

The high school has a great track record in athletic success. Apart from Bolt, Olympic sprinter Michael Green is also a former pupil. Such has been Jamaica’s success that it is being called the Isle of Might.(ANI)