For the first time since 1996, a Jamaican has broken 1 minute and 46 seconds in the men’s 800m. The barrier breaker is Navasky Anderson who clocked 1.45.89 to win the two-lap event at the South Eastern Conference championships in Oxford, Mississippi on May 14.

A 2013 and 2014 finalist in the Class 3 1500m at the Boys and Girls Championships for St Jago High School, Anderson unleased an undeniable finishing burst to win for Mississippi State University ahead of American Sam Whitmarsh of Texas A&M, 1.46.09. Whitmarsh led past the 400m mark, with Anderson not far behind but had no response when Anderson moved into lane 2 and stepped to the front in the home straight.

Now he is the first Jamaican to break 1.46 since Alex Morgan and Mario Vernon-Watson 26 years ago and his new personal best time elevates him to sixth on the Jamaican all-time performance list.

ALL-TIME JAMAICA TOP TEN

1:45.21 Seymour Newman 1977
1:45.34 * Byron Dyce 1969
1:45.44 Clive Terrelonge 1995
1:45.58 Alex Morgan 1996
1:45.58 Mario Vernon-Watson 1996
1:45.89 Navasky Anderson 2022
1:45.94 * George Kerr 1964
1:46.02 Owen Hamilton 1984
1:46.30 Rajay Hamilton 2022
1:46.36 Sean Smith 2006

* indicates performance converted from 880 yards and from hand times.

Anderson, who moved from St Jago to Essex County College before going to Mississippi State, was grateful. “I must say by the grace of God, I got it. I’ve been training so hard and in training, I’ve got to thank my training partners and my coach. For sure, it’s because of them I pulled it off because I came out here really determined with no fear and I did what I came to do” he gushed, “and that was to win.”

His training partners include fellow St Jago graduate Leon Clarke, the 2016 Youth Olympic 800 finalist, and Tyrese Reid, who sparkled during his time at Spot Valley High.

Last month, the lanky 21-year-old came onto the radar when he chased another Jamaican Rajay Hamilton at the Tom Jones Memorial in Florida on April 16, with Hamilton winning 1.46.30 to 1.46.51.