A Summer to Remember – Khalifa St. Fort

By: Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis for DyeStat Florida

The summer holidays is usually one of the most anticipated times of the year, perhaps all over the world. It is an ideal time to take a family vacation, get married, plan an adventure tour, go shopping to capitalize on massive price discounts and enjoy summer movies & music. It is also a special season for track and field. For Khalifa St. Fort, a teenager with a radiant smile from the Sunshine State, it has been a summer to remember on the track.

St. Fort has been a trailblazer this season becoming the fastest youth sprinter from the twin-island republic of Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) with 11.19 seconds when she won silver at the World Youth Championship in Cali, Colombia. The blossoming sprinter became the second T&T athlete and certainly the youngest to win the women’s 100m at the Pan American Junior Championship joining Michelle Lee-Ahye who achieved the feat in 2011. The culmination of St. Fort’s roller coaster journey this season came in Beijing, China at the 15th edition of the World Championship with her bronze medal in the women’s one-lap relay.

The young USA born T&T speedster with such a humble personality moved from obscurity into track & field history in one fell swoop. St. Fort, who lives in Miami Gardens, became the youngest ever female at 17 years 197 days to claim a sprint relay medal at a World Championship after Trinidad & Tobago copped the bronze in the women’s 4x100 relay in a national record (42.03). St. Fort eclipsed Jamaica’s Merlene Frazer who at 17 years 248 days won sprint relay gold in 1991 and Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith (bronze) in 2013 at 17 years 257 days. St. Fort who was the youngest medalist in Beijing is also the first and only US high school athlete to win a medal at a World Championship. It must be a great feeling for any upcoming junior athlete to win a senior World Championship medal even before participating at their first World Junior Championship. Not many persons can boast to be in such an illustrious category, they can only dream.

The young T&T speedster who did not compete in the sprint relay final had earlier helped her team to qualify from the heats in a then national record of 42.24 seconds the previous day. She ran on the anchor leg. Her Coach Ato Boldon, an accomplished sprinter throughout his career, was delighted to be part of such an historic achievement. “For me it shows me that you have to always set your sights high, even when people don’t get it - or think you are being unrealistic. There are those who couldn’t see how she could possibly run 11.2 this year. She surpassed that. Some didn’t see how a 17 year old could get to worlds. She did - and then medaled. No one has given Candace Hill a real threat this year, except her. It’s been a season for the ages for her.”

St. Fort enjoyed the best of both worlds in Beijing where she was a competitor and spectator. She was a spectator for most of the time as a result of only competing in the sprint relays near the end of the championship. Nevertheless, her coach Ato Boldon explained that a wave of euphoria swept over the enthusiastic sprinter. He said, “She thoroughly enjoyed it, and because she didn’t run the 100m she got to be there every day and take it all in - every ceremony, every round, and every race.” He also acknowledged that she benefitted greatly from the experience as she was welcomed with open arms by her T&T teammates. According to coach Boldon, “This team and chemistry was unlike any I’ve ever been around. They became her big sisters immediately, and even the men’s team, who didn’t compete in the 4x100 due to injury, were very accommodating and helpful in getting her and the team ready to compete.”

However, the best and most important advice did not come from her teammates but coach Boldon who told St. Fort that her experience of watching from the stands will be the first and perhaps last at a major championship. Boldon confidently stated, “I told her enjoy it, it’s the last time you will ever get to do it because you will be busy running 3 events, starting in Rio.”

St. Fort who is a member of the Born 2 Do it Sprint Corps is completing her senior year at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale before attending UCLA in the fall of 2016. Unlike the lingering question in the mystery blockbuster movie; Khalifa St. Fort can proudly look back with glee and say ‘I know what I did this summer’.

About the Author:

Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis is a very exciting and creative freelance sports writer from Jamaica specializing in the fields of athletics and cricket. His colourful down to earth yet professional personality makes him a favourite amongst athletes and fans. Readers are often exposed to his detailed knowledge and passion that usually increase their interest in the athletes, events and the sport overall. He has a first degree in Banking & Finance and works in the financial industry. Contact Noel at [email protected]

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