BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IT is so hard to keep up with Antoine Adams nowadays. When he is not jetting off to an exotic location for a meet, he is burning up the track and setting new personal bests.
He was a part of St. Kitts-Nevis 4 x 100M Relay Team that won a silver medal for the Federation at the XVI Pan American Games Relay Finals last October, the team that also won bronze at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea in August.
Just 23-years-old, he has now gone pro this year and has been jetting off to various meets specifically on the European continent, racing in countries such as Finland, Korea, Amsterdam, London, Birmingham, Moscow and Estonia. He recently returned to St. Kitts from Russia after participating in a meet there.
“There are a lot of places on my schedule I still have to run at,” he said in an interview with SKNVibes. “At first I was really excited about travelling but then when I started doing those eight and 13 hour flights. I began hating it immediately. It really does damage to the body, but as an athlete I am learning ways to work around it.”
Now that he is finished with college, Adams decided to pursue a professional career in Track & Field, and has already been showing results when he clocked in new personal bests at the St. Kitts-Nevis National Invitational & Club Championships several weeks ago.
“In the 100m I clocked 10.10 seconds and in the 200m 20.43 seconds. My coach says I haven't even reached my full potential as yet so that's kind of exciting.
“The run was great. I had fun competing on home soil in front of my family and supporters. I was able to execute my races properly but most of all I had fun. It was all about having fun for me,” he said.
The London 2012 Olympics is looking pretty spectacular to Adams right now as it would be his first time participating.
“To actually be going to the Olympics means I will be an Olympian and that in itself is such a great achievement. It will be fun and I am really looking forward to it. I plan to be in top shape and ready to perform at my best in both events,” he said.
And what gets his mind right just before a big meet? Music of course!
The music producer who has produced various hit songs, with top local acts namely, Infamus under the moniker Zaggadon, said that when it comes to prepping for his races he puts on some music and dances.
“Lol… I listen to a lot of rap and dancehall music before I run. I only listen to it while getting warmed up but once I feel I am ready I just chill and interact with the other athletes making jokes and stuff. I like to calm the tense atmosphere, get everybody laughing and stuff. Like I said it’s all about having fun for me,” he said.
He returned to St. Kitts, last night (June 18) and it would be a matter of no time before he is out again.
Apart from looking forward to relaxing and chilling with friends and family when he returns home, he sometimes cannot wait to indulge in some chicken and chips.
“I hadn't had the ‘SK style’ Chicken N’ Chips for a while so I enjoy getting some Neville’s,” he said.
In terms of who has been a great inspiration to him - his father! The family hails from Cayon where Antoine was raised.
“He is really strong mentally and he is full of wisdom,” he said.
He added that undoubtedly as well, SKN iconic athlete, Kim Collins is also an inspiration to him.
“He really inspired me last year at the World Championships. To come out of retirement and not expected to even make it to the finals then to win a bronze medal at 35 is really inspiring.”
Adams attributes the success he has achieved to the support of his family and others whom he said have been there for him 100 per cent from day one.
“My coach, Eric Francis and his wife took me under their wing as one of their own in Houston, Texas and for that I am humbly grateful. To everyone that has been supporting me since I was a child, I thank you. I will continue to work hard and do my best,” he said.
The Olympic Development Squad will be traveling to Trinidad this weekend where they will also participate in the Trinidad National Championships.
Adams will be a part of that team and will be participating in the relay races.
“I will only compete in the relay this weekend. It will be my first time running with the original relay boys since winning bronze in Daegu last year,” he said.
“And right now I am resting and trying to let my body heal so I can start my Olympic specific training. I do have a few meets in Europe before the Olympics but it is up to my coach to decide what I will do.”
