Usain Bolt, a legendary Olympian, may have exited the athletics scene, but it seems Jamaica has another exceptionally fast star poised to follow in his footsteps.
At the 2024 Laureus World Sport Awards in Madrid, Spain, Bolt graced the red carpet, showcasing his enduring influence in the world of sports.
Meanwhile, a 16-year-old Jamaican sprinter who recently shattered one of Usain Bolt's long-held records confessed that he wasn't even the quickest person in his own class.
Jet-heeled youngster Nickecoy Bramwell is already causing a stir in the athletics world. In May, Bramwell broke Usain Bolt's long-standing under-17 400m world record at the Carifta Games in Grenada.
With a remarkable time of 47.26 seconds, Bramwell outpaced the competition, surpassing the eight-time Olympic gold medalist's 22-year-old record by 0.07 seconds. Nearly seven years after Bolt's retirement, Bramwell is emerging as one of the Caribbean island's next shining stars.
However, Bramwell hasn't always possessed remarkable speed. According to him, for a considerable time, he wasn't even the fastest individual in his class.
Jamaica boasts a rich history of producing some of the world's finest sprinters. Bramwell's experience of frequently trailing behind his classmates perfectly reflects the incredible speed of young athletes in the country.
The teenager shared details of his early days running with friends in a February interview with the Jamaican newspaper, the Gleaner.
When asked about his inspirations, he said: "It was Usain Bolt.
"I looked at him as an idol and I decided I wanted to be like him, and that’s why I started track and field. I started in primary school. I wasn’t the fastest at the time, so it’s really just hard work for me."
He also added: “It’s a great feeling, you know, to represent your country and to win for your country. My family is always there. They’re always at my track meets since the season has started. I can’t really answer that now about medals, but the season has been good. No, I don’t feel any pressure at all for this Championship really. It’s just a great feeling to represent Calabar.”
Two months later, Bramwell would go on to break Bolt's iconic record for Jamaica in an astonishing manner. This performance further elevated his name to global prominence.
In his post-race interview after his historic sprint, he said: "It's a wonderful feeling to break the record. Since last summer, I have been eyeing the record. So it's a great feeling I could come out here and get it. I just took my mind off it and focused on the record. I'm looking forward to better things.”
Meanwhile, Bolt is now observing the world of athletics as a fan while also participating in other events, such as the SoccerAid clash at Stamford Bridge on June 9. Despite being 37 years old, he continues to keep a close watch on the next generation of talented athletes.
In a previous interview, Bolt admitted he wants to see some new personalities make their mark on the athletic world. He said: "After me, it kind of went down because of who I was as a person, and how big my personality was.
"But I think over time it will be better. I think young athletes are coming up and I see a few personalities that are needed in sport, hopefully in the upcoming years it will change.”