A lesson in perseverance - DeAndre Daley revelling in double gold success after injuries

The past weekend could not have gone any better for Jamaica's DeAndre Daley, capturing two gold medals at the Carfita Games in Kingston. It has also been a lesson in perseverance for the Herbert Morrison Technical High School sprinter who, for the last two years, has seen injuries hamper his progress.

Daley captured the Boys Under-20 100m title on Saturday and was part of Jamaica's Boys Under-20 4x100m relay team that lowered the meet record on Sunday with a time of 39.15 seconds.

Daley pulled up at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys Athletics Championships (Champs) in 2021 after missing that year's Western Champs. This year, after a third-place finish in the Class One Boys 100m final, he sped to glory in front of the home support at the National Stadium for 100m success at Carifta for Jamaica.

Daley said that the injuries, which, according to him, have been "too many to count" have tested his mental fortitude, to continue in the midst of adversity, which he says has been the main reason for his personal growth this season.

"As a person, I have to set my mind to it," Daley told STAR Sports. "As an athlete, I have been through a lot of injuries. Most people would probably give up by this time. But I kept focused and pushed through and now I'm finishing the season with two Carifta gold medals."

Even during the Carifta Games, he has had to manage his fitness while still feeling the effects of this campaign. However, he ensured that his third leg run in the relay set the table for Sandrey Davison to anchor Jamaica to another Carifta record run, as they completed the sweep of the 4x100m relays after earlier success with the Girls Under-20 and Under-17, and Boys Under-17.

"It has been a really great experience," Daley said. "I got the feeling from the fans at home. I am happy knowing that I have been battling injuries (this year) and we came out with a Carifta record."

While proud of delivering for his country, Daley said that the success has further shined the light on Herbert Morrison, and is adamant that there is further greatness to come from the school after his success at the Games and his Champs teammates.