Junior Khalifa St. Fort is fresh off a victory in the 100m at Trinidad & Tobago Junior Championships and is currently gearing up for the Adidas Grand Prix Dream 100 in New York City. We caught up with her to talk about making the Trinidadian World Youth Team and her upcoming meet against the nation's top high schoolers in the Big Apple.
What have the past three months working solely with Ato been like?
The past three months working solely with coach Ato has been great and has enabled me to improve. We have developed a great coach to athlete relationship.
What aspects of your training have you specifically worked on?
We have been specifically working on my start and transition.
Ato has the experience of running in major meets, world youth champs, Olympics, etc. How has that mentality really made it easier for you to trust the training and just go out and run?
Having an open-mind enabled me to improve and take in coach Ato's philosophy. It allowed me to start from scratch and build from there with the correct technique.
Last weekend you competed in the Trinidad & Tobago Junior Championships. What was the goal coming into the meet?
The goal last weekend in Trinidad was to win the 100 meter dash and make the Trinidadian World Youth team.
When was the last time you were there and how did it feel to run for your home country?
The last time I was in Trinidad I was 8 or 9 years of age. It was an exciting experience to run in the country that I hold so dear to my heart.
You clocked an 11.92 in the prelim and 11.87 to win. Your time was the only under 12 s U18 or U20. What were your thoughts on the race? I know Ato said it wasn't perfect but thats been something you two have been doing all year is tweaking, re-tweaking and perfecting.
The race was overall ok but could have been better. My transition was not well executed but can be fixed before the Adidas Grand Prix Dream 100.
How does it feel to make the World Youth team and represent them in Colombia?
It is a overwhelming feeling to know that I will be representing Trinidad and Tobago at World Youth. I am excited to make my country proud.
Now this week is the Dream 100. You punched your ticket by winning Golden South. Back then it was more of a surprise, but now people know your story and know the name Khalifa St. Fort. Do you feel a little more pressure to perform?
No, I do not feel any added pressure now that people know who I am. I will remain humble and continue to perform at a high level.
What specific workouts did you do this week or plan on doing?
Mon: Traveled from Trinidad
Tues: 6x60 and 1x150
Wed: Starts
Thurs: Travel
Fri: Light warm up and drills
Sat: Race day
What are you looking forward to most about this weekend both on and off the track?
I am looking forward to running against a group of highly competitive high school girls. I am expecting phenomenal times. I am also looking forward to watching Sanya Richards-Ross, Allyson Felix, and Usain Bolt. I look up to Ms. Sanya and Ms. Allyson and I know I can learn a lot from them.
Ato is going to be on the call for NBC. What do you want that "race call" to sound like?
I would want the race call to sound as if he was commentating any regular track meet. I would want him to say everything I did right as well as wrong. Although he is my coach he still has a job to do and I am no exception.
What is the game plan and goals for the meet?
The game plan for this meet is to transition well and set a personal record. It is important that I stick to my technique and trust me training.
What does the future have in store for Khalifa St. Fort?
In the future I am looking forward to training for the Rio 2016 Trinidadian trials. I have aspirations to turn pro and inspire young girls to follow their dreams just as Ms. Sanya and Ms. Allyson has inspired me.
