Talk about success!

He is fresh of his recent 400m win at the Diamond League held last week in Stockholm, Germany where he clocked a time of 44.58.

Again in May at the IAAF Diamond League in Doha, Qatar, it may not have been his best time but he won the men’s 400m with a time of 44.60.

In April, at the Grenada Invitational, he clocked a whopping 44.26 in the 400m crowning him the 3rdfastest outdoor champion according to the IAAF ranking.  (The Grenada Invitational meet promoter was Bahamian 400 meter sensation, Chris ‘the Fireman’ Brown).

If that wasn’t enough, that time of 44.26, broke the Bahamian national record. This win did not disappoint the record holder at that time; you see, this talented athlete broke his own record.

For the few who may not know whom we speak of, we speak of no other than talented Bahamian athlete Steven Gardiner!

Gardiner who hails from Abaco is now back on home turf competing at the BAAA’s ALIV National Open Championship in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

The BAAA’s ALIV Nationals being held at Grand Bahama Sporting Complex has attracted many great Bahamian athletes like Chris ‘the Fireman’ Brown, Ramon Miller, Michael Mathieu and Shaunae Miller-Uibo.

The 400 meter race was a crowd pleaser particularly as it featured a matchup between our Golden Knights and Gardiner; at the end of the race, Gardiner would emerge as the one with bragging rights.

How does it feel for a newcomer to compete with such veterans? Gardiner says despite the butterflies, he normally don’t think about his competitors however, he says “once the gun goes off, it (the butterflies) all go away and I just get my rhythm and run!”

And run he sure does!

Gardiner who advises that last year was somewhat rough for him, this year has certainly proven to the world that he is on top of his game. What does he contribute to his success?  

“This year, I have a new coach and new training group which includes some of the best athletes in the world so it is just a matter of me going out there and doing what best for me.”

The 400 meter race may not have been Gardiner’s best time but according to Gardiner, he felt great. “I just wanted to go out there and seal the deal and qualify but I have been qualifying from my first meet the beginning of the year. I am just happy about it.”

We are certain that Gardiner’s great performance at Nationals and also him qualifying for World Championships, did not only make him happy because we know that somewhere in the beautiful quaint town of Moores Island Abaco, a gentleman called Reverend Coach Anthony Williams is smiling from ear to ear and simply beaming with pride.

Rev/Coach Williams  who was also in Freeport at the Nationals to show his support for young Gardiner, gave this great athlete his start in track and field. How does Gardiner feel about Williams support for him at Nationals? “It is awesome; he is my first coach,” says a grateful Gardiner.

Bahamas Athletics wishes Steven Gardiner all the best and continued success in his career.