A Motivated Akheem Gauntlett Seeks Redemption, Targets Personal Best in 2014

“Training is going good. My coach [Trevor Green] is great and he is working me hard. I have the mentality that what doesn't kill me makes me stronger” said Akheem Gauntlett, the Jamaican quarter-miler . He continued “so I have to prove not to anybody but only to myself to try and come back harder from all of the things that happen last year. This year I want to leave my mark.” Akheem was poised to have a great 2013 season, when he was arrested for shoplifting while hanging out with friends.  He has always maintained his innocence and has gone through the legal process. Akheem who made the Jamaican team to the 2013 Moscow World Championship withdrew citing personal reasons. Akheem has now put that unfortunate episode behind him and is focusing on the 2014 season. Mental Focus The 23 year old Akheem is a five-time All-American athlete at the University of Arkansas (“Arkansas”), where he is entering his final semester.  Akheem is currently training with Coach Trevor Green at the Zenith Velocity Track Club in Jersey City, New Jersey, and he will be heading back to Arkansas when school begins next week. With a personal best time of 45.13 seconds in the 400m, Akheem attributed his early successes to the fundamental he learned competing for Arkansas. “The University of Arkansas is a great [track] program. I love my time there. I am just carrying over that mentality of working harder and pushing myself to get to that next level. I am working hard no matter what. Whether in practice, at the meets I compete in or just working hard at whatever I do.  I have to elevate myself. This is the mentality that I am carrying with me going  forward.” Jamaican 4x400 relay team When ask whether he can contributed to the Jamaican 4x400 relay team Akheem said “I can most definitely contribute to the team. I love my country, I love its history and I definitely want to … show the world that we can produce good 400m runners. A lot of people is of the mindset that we can’t.” Commenting on 4x4 relay team possible impact at the upcoming Commonwealth Games this summer Akheem said "I am definitely excited about the Commonwealth Games...  Javere Bell, Errol Nolan and Javon Francis are really good athletes. We are young and we have the talent and we are well-driven. So going to the Commonwealth Games this summer... we are definitely looking to do something big.” Indoors aspirations Akheem,who plans on competing both indoors and outdoors, made his season debut last night (January 10) in the NYC Gotham Cup at the Armory Track in New York.  He posted a time of 33.30 seconds in the 300m, the fastest time in this event. During the indoor season, Akheem has his sights set on breaking the Jamaican national indoor 300m record of 32.97 seconds that was set by Davian Clarke in February 2003. As a seasoned indoor runner, Akheem said that he shouldn't have any problems handling the rigors of indoor competition. AKheem also said that being a track athlete at Arkansas competing in the SEC Conference against great competition every week, and then training with world-class runners, he is ready to make his mark.  He also described the indoor facility at Arkansas as being the best and fastest. “One of my goals for this season is to compete at the World Indoors Championship in Poland” said Akheem, who also wishes to improve on his 400m indoor best time of 46.14 seconds. Goals for 2014 “This is definitely the year for me to go sub-45 in the 400m [outdoors], I am feeling great. I am double-determined to go sub-45,” said a confident Akheem, who stated that the plan for the year is to focus only on the 400m outdoors. His goals for 2014 include breaking the Jamaican indoor national 300m record, making the Jamaican World Indoor Championship team, going sub-45 in the outdoor 400m, and making the Jamaican Commonwealth team. “This year I will be leaving it all on the track.” said Akheem “I have gotten past the unfortunate episode last year…I have put it all behind me… I just have to keep my head down and focus on my future.” Akheem is scheduled to compete at the Armory on possibly January 18, before heading back to Arkansas to continue his studies. Upon completing his studies, Akheem will return to Zenith Velocity to continue his training.   Akheem is scheduled to appear on the Sports Zone with the Professor Show this Tuesday, January 14th at 8.30 pm EST streaming live at http://www.caribbeanzoneradiohd.com/     Like us on  Facebook Follow us on Twitter