McMaster to train with new coach

October 5, 2017 by

Source: VINO

Kyron McMaster. Photo source: BVIAA Facebook Page

Kyron A. McMaster, the VI’s World Leading 400m Hurdler, has chosen Jamaican coach Lennox Graham as his new coach.

The 20-year-old McMaster, the only man to break 48 seconds this past season, lost his longtime coach, Dag Samuels during the passage of Hurricane Irma that ravaged the Territory in early September.

Following Samuels’ death, McMaster flew to the United States in search of a new coach and after careful consideration made the decision to go with the Jamaican.

“My new coach will be Lennox Graham and I will be based in South Carolina,” said McMaster, who under Samuels’s tutelage, set three of the four fastest times in the world this year.

Graham was recently appointed Assistant Coach at Clemson University after running a successful programme at Division II contenders Johnson C Smith University for the last decade.

Graham also coaches 2015 World 100m hurdles champion Danielle Williams and her sister, Shermaine.

McMaster said the final decision came after much deliberation. “This decision was made solely sitting down with my parents and family. We wanted an environment where we are not crowded too much or around a lot of people where I can be a lot more focused knowing what happened with my coach and the hurricane and everything,” he said. “Away from a lot of people where I would not be exposed to a lot of questions or people looking at me certain ways. Dag was like a father”

Given the longstanding relationship McMaster shared with Samuels, he revealed just how difficult it was to move on from his now deceased former coach.

“It was hard, because it’s like you’re making a decision to start a bond with somebody else from scratch,” he said, “so it is not easy to get a new coach like that or even compare a new coach because Dag was my father figure apart from my real father.”

McMaster ran his world-leading time of 47.80 seconds at the Jamaica International Invitational in May. However, his campaign for a gold medal at the IAAF World Championships in London in August ended early as he was disqualified after his opening-round run.

He would later return to beat the World Champion at a Diamond League Meet.

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Kyron McMaster wins Men’s 400m hurdles in Zurich Diamond League, Switzerland

August 25, 2017 by

Source: BVI Platinum

https://youtu.be/3lIxDf6ZpYk

National record holder, Kyron McMaster has produced another outstanding performance on the world stage, to win the Men’s 400m hurdles in Zurich Diamond League, Switzerland on August 24.

His time was 48.07 seconds, just a touch slower than his 47.80, a world-leading time for 2017, which he established in May during the Jamaica invitational.

The time was good enough to beat the reigning World Champion Gold Medalist, Karsten Warholm of Norway, and Bronze Medalist, Kerron Clement of the USA.

This comes just over a month after he placed second in the 400m Hurdles at the 2017 IAAF Diamond League, Muller Anniversary Games in London last month.

 

McMaster, who is trained by one of the Territory’s longest-serving coaches, Xavier “Dag” Samuels, has his eyes set on the world record of 46.69 seconds.

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Malone, Kelly and McMaster ready for 2017 IAAF World Championships

July 31, 2017 by

Source: VINO

Chantel E. Malone (Long Jump), Ashley N. Kelly (400m) and Kyron A. McMaster (400m Hurdles) to compete in 2017 IAAF World Championships. Photo credits: Malone – Dean Greenaway, Kelly – Lonny.

The three-athlete team of Chantel E. Malone, Ashley N. Kelly and Kyron A. McMaster are in their final preparations for the IAAF World Championships scheduled to be held in London from August 4 to August 13, 2017.

Organisers of the Championships have announced the latest sales figure for tickets with more than 660,000 sold and a bumper opening weekend with a quarter of a million spectators set to flock to the London Stadium over the Friday, Saturday and Sunday sessions.

The British Virgin Islands Athletics Association (BVIAA) President, Mr. Steve Augustine, is looking forward to what they will achieve on the World stage and is excited. “McMaster goes in as a top contender in his event, so hopes are high for what he will achieve, Kelly is expected to put up a great showing and of course Malone, who started her season late due to a foot injury, will have another opportunity to show what she can do as a top 30 ranked Jumper.”

“This is my first year as President,” noted Augustine. “The inspiration this provides the youngsters goes without saying. For them to be able to see the likes of McMaster training hard day in day out on the track in Road Town, motivates them to an all-time high.”

Kelly runs in the 400m, having recently set a new National Record, Malone takes on the Long Jump, and McMaster, with a world leading time already under his belt, competes in the 400m Hurdles.

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BVI’s Kyron McMaster places 2nd in 400m Hurdles at 2017 IAAF Diamond League

July 10, 2017 by

Source: BVI News online

British Virgin Islands athlete Kyron McMaster finished second in the Men’s 400m Hurdles at the prestigious Müller Anniversary Games in London on July 9, 2017 – his first international clash since May when he set a world leading 47.80 seconds in Jamaica.

He also became the first male athlete from the British Virgin Islands to participate in an IAAF Diamond League event.

McMaster, who led the race beyond the final hurdle, was clipped near the finish line by Trinidad-born, Clement Kerron who competes for the United States.

Kerron clocked a Season’s Best of 48.02 to beat McMaster who finished in 48.12 seconds.

Copello Yasmani was third in 48.24 at the event held in the former Olympic Stadium, London.

This race comes weeks before the IAAF World Championships in London where McMaster will try to win the BVI’s first medal at such top-level event.

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Kyron McMaster breaks 48s in 400m Hurdles – a rare achievement in the sport

May 22, 2017 by

By: Rey O’Neal, A.T.F.S.

Kyron McMaster broke 48s with a time of 47.80s in 400m hurdles on May 20 at the 2017 Jamaica International Invitational – a rare achievement in the sport. Photo source: BVIAA Facebook Page

On Saturday, May 20, 2017, Kyron McMaster, a 20-year old British Virgin Islands hurdler achieved the most outstanding individual  athletic performance by a competitor from his country when he dominated a quality field to clock 47.80 seconds over the 400 metre hurdles at the Jamaica International Invitational track meet in Kingston.

His rivals included the two-time World Athletics Champion in the event, Bershawn”Batnan’ Jackson of the U.S.A., former Olympic Games medalists Michael Tinsley of the U.S.A., and Javier Culson of Puerto Rico, and Jamaica’s  Jaheel Hyde,who had won the event at the last two I.A.A.F. World Junior (Under-20) Championships, at the latter of which McMaster had become his country’s first individual medalist at a global event outdoors, finishing third behind Hyde.

Kyron McMaster now ranks as the world’s fastest for the 400 metre hurdles in 2017 and makes him No.28 on the World All-Time list.

Among athletes from the C.A.C. (Central America and Caribbean) region, he stands as fifth fastest behind double Olympic champion, Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic, the regional record holder at 48.25 seconds; Winthrop Graham of Jamaica (47.60), a medalist at both the Olympic Games and World Championships; Jehue Gordon of Trinidad and Tobago (47.69), a World Champion at both the Junior and Senior levels; and Culson, an Olympic medalist who may be the world’s most consistent performer at major Championships over the past decade, with a best performance of 47.72 seconds.

Kyron McMaster also ranks as the second fastest 20 year old ever, behind Trinidad-born, American Kerron Clement (47.24).

Clement, winner of two World Championships, an Olympic title and a world record in the 400 metres flat, has somewhat surprisingly never again run as fast as he did in his 20th year (2005).

Actually sub-48 second clockings are quite rare. No runner in the world achieved the feat in 2014. There were three in 2013, one 1n 2015 and four in 2016. Of those athletes mentioned, five have run faster than Kyron McMaster.

Congratulations are very much in order for Kyron McMaster and his coaches Dag Samuels and Steve Augustine.

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McMaster lowers own National 400m Hurdle Record

May 1, 2017 by

Sourc: VINO

Virgin Islands hurdler Kyron McMaster has cemented his current ranking as the second fastest in the 400m hurdles this season in the World. Photo: Dean ‘The Sportsman’ Greenaway

Kyron McMaster, running at the Tom Jones Memorial Track and Field Meet at the Percy Beard Track, on Friday April 28, 2017 lowered his own National 400m Hurdle Record with another blistering run.

McMaster comfortably won the race in a time of 48.69 to better his previous 48.71 set earlier this season, which also cements his current ranking as the second fastest in the discipline this season in the World.

His new best is just .38 seconds behind the world’s fastest this year

The event was held at the University of Florida, USA and McMaster easily held off the challenge from the rest of the field, with the second placed hurdler coming in at 49.19.

Virgin Islands hurdler Kyron McMaster has cemented his current ranking as the second fastest in the 400m hurdles this season in the World. Photo: Dean H. Greenaway aka The Sportsman/File

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Kyron McMaster ranked second fastest male 400m hurdler

April 10, 2017 by

Source: BVI Platinum

Kyron McMaster practicing drills at the A,O, Shirley Grounds. Photo: C M Farrington

Kyron McMaster practicing drills at the A,O, Shirley Grounds. Photo: C M Farrington

Local hurdler champion, Kyron McMaster is now ranked as the second fastest male 400 meter hurdler in the world, following his performance at a recent meet at the University of Florida.

McMaster came in first, in his first race of the season at the University. This was also his first event competing as a senior.

Aiming to qualify for this year’s IAAF World Athletic Championships in August 2017, McMaster completed the race in a time of 48.71, shattering the qualifying time of 49.03.

“It feels good. You always want to be in a spotlight in this day, where when you go to a meet, everyone is keen as to how a person will perform,” McMaster told BVI Platinum News, adding that his performance will open a lot of doors and opportunities for him to compete against better competitors in events to come.

He noted that his performance will only continue to climb, as he intends to continue working hard.

“It was my first race for the season, so from here on it’s for me to progress; that’s my mission right now.”

He continued, “At London, my aim is to do as best as I can. Its my first year in the senior division and this isn’t the easiest division. You have to be on you’re a-game at every event. For London, it’s just for me to execute and see how far I go.”

Just months ago, McMaster was ranked as the third fastest male junior in the 400 meter hurdles, following his bronze medal in the IAAF World Under 20 Championships 400 hurdles race, last June, 2016, in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

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McMaster signs Letter of Intent with the University of Florida

November 17, 2016 by

By BVIAA

BVIAA President Steve Augustine, Anthony McMaster, father of Kyron McMaster and Coach Dag Samuel displaying signed letter of intent for the University of Florida. Photo: BVIAA

BVIAA President Steve Augustine, Anthony McMaster (father), Kyron McMaster and Coach Dag Samuel displaying Kyron’s signed letter of intent for the University of Florida. Photo: BVIAA

BV Islander, and the territory’s first IAAF World Jr. Championship 400m hurdle bronze medalist, Kyron McMaster signed off on a letter of intent with the University of Florida (UF) on Thursday November 16th at the A.O. Shirley Recreational Grounds. Kyron will pursue a Business Management Degree while furthering his athletic career at the University of Florida beginning August 2017.

At the brief ceremony, BVI Athletics Association’s President, Steve Augustine during his remarks mentioned Kyron’s great accomplishments as an athlete who works really hard on the track by putting in the time and effort, and most specifically his bronze medal at the IAAF World Jr Championship earlier this year in Bydgoszcz, Poland. He further commented “Kyron has the potential to make it on the world stage and we expect to see that happen along with him attaining his degree; two goes hand in hand.”

Mr. Anthony McMaster, father of Kyron expressed “He was born to run, since he started at 4, he never stopped, he stuck with it.” His signing is a great opportunity and exciting one for his son and their family. Mr. McMaster  made mention of Kyron’s coach Mr. Dag Samuel instrumental in his son’s achievement. Mr. McMaster further encouraged his son to keep focused and said, “While it is your legs that allowed you to reach this stage of your life, you must also allow your brain to do what it needs to do, education will take you through life.”

In Kyron’s remarks, he expressed how happy and excited he is to be attending the University of Florida. “I feel that Florida can get me to that level where I can become an Olympic Champion and a world record holder.” He was offered placement from approximately 7 other major Universities but felt that the University of Florida is the best option to further develop him in hurdles.

In closing remarks, Coach Dag Samuel commented on how very proud he is of his athlete Kyron for his great achievement. “It took 24 years to get an athlete to the University of Florida and I hope there will be more BVI athletes in the future,” he said.

Mr. Samuels stated that Kyron always wanted to go the University of Florida despite also visiting Clemson and LSU. Coach Samuels further commented that the staff of the University of Florida while looking at Kyron at the World Jr Championships in Poland, concluded that Kyron can be the next world record holder in the hurdles because of his rhythm and his cadence with the hurdles.

Coach Dag is confident and stated “We will have a national champion that is a world record holder in the British Virgin Islands within the next 2 to 3 years.”

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McMaster Hurdles To BVI’s First IAAF World Jr. Championships Medal

July 25, 2016 by

By BVI Athletics Association

Kyron McMaster made history when he became the territory's first IAAF World Jr. Championships medalist in Bydgoszcz, Poland, on July 23. Photo: Provided

Kyron McMaster made history when he became the territory’s first IAAF World Jr. Championships medalist in Bydgoszcz, Poland, on July 23. Photo: Provided

After 30 years of participation in the IAAF World Jr. Championships, the Virgin Islands gained its first medal since 1986  when Kyron McMaster claimed the 400m Hurdles bronze on Saturday in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

The long striding McMaster placed third with a personal best and National Record of 49.56. McMaster came behind the USA’s Taylor McLaughlin, who passed him just before the line for silver, in a personal best of 49.45 while Jamaica’s Jaheel Hyde successfully defended his title in 49.03 seconds to become the first two times winner.

“Coming through the last three hurdles, I took a look at the field to see what position I was in and my intent was to stay in medal contention by any means and I prevailed with that,” McMaster said. “I was in second until the last hurdle and couldn’t feel my legs but at the same time, I had to keep mentally focused and run through it.”

McMaster said he has been working hard since 2014 when he failed to get out of the preliminary rounds at the Youth Olympic Games.

“To come here in 2016 and make each of the rounds to the final and win a medal, is a big deal for me,” he said.

Through early May, McMaster wasn’t even thinking about World Juniors. As a student at Central Arizona and winning the Jr. Colleges Indoor 400m title in March, he turned his focus on competing in the Carifta Games but missed the meet and the outdoor season after Doctors told him not to run because of a lower back stress fracture.

“Not being able to compete outdoors, really affected me,” he said. “When I came home, my coach (Dag Samuels) began working with me. We had a meeting and he said ‘let’s do this. Let’s go World Juniors.’ And I said ‘coach, you know the situation.’ At that moment, I couldn’t run. Within a week, Coach worked on me, got me to the point where I could be able to train, then to the point where I could compete and then qualify, so he played an important role and I thank him for that.”

Samuels said it was unfortunate that McMaster was unable to train properly or compete, even at a single outdoor meet, as he was plagued with excruciating pain between January and May.

“When he returned home, immediately we went to work. The first task was getting him healthy and while doing so, have him compete to achieve the qualifying standard for the World Jr. Championships,” Samuels explained. “With that being accomplished it became a matter of TLC to his injury but at the same time enforcing the daily work and that was a crafty task. We knew that he was capable of running 49 but we had to be patient and wait. After the first round, we knew two things: he would medal and secondly he would run 49 and he accomplished both. Kyron is a talented but hard worker, a coach’s dream. His goals are very high and he pursues his endeavor daily and with zeal.”

McMaster said being out of collegiate competition affected him badly. If he had the chance, he would have come into the meet with a higher ranking. He said being released from Central Arizona-before being able to even compete outdoors-put him into a different zone where he had to strive and become more focused.

“People would say getting released from Central Arizona would have a negative impact, but getting released was probably the best thing because it showed me how to work, achieve my goal and don’t take anything for granted,” he said, noting that recruiters have been after him after easily winning his preliminary heat in 51.77 seconds followed by a 50.49 semifinal. “Getting the bronze medal and running 49.56 just seals the deal that a lot of people are after me. Off the top of my head, Florida, Georgia, UTEP, Nebraska and South Carolina have all shown interest so far.”

The BVI has now won medals in three of four IAAF World Athletics Series events. Tahesia Harrigan-Scott won 60m indoor bronze in 2008, the relay quartet of Taylor Hill, Nelda Huggins, Jonel Lacey and Tarika Moses, World Youth Championships bronze in 2013. Harrigan-Scott was also an IAAF World Outdoor Championships 100m semifinalist in 2009.

McMasters’ 49.56 seconds run breaks Antigua and Barbuda Rai Benjamin’s Leeward Islands Record of 49.82 and is .06 off Grenada’s Shane Charles’ OECS record of 49.51 from 2006.

McMaster and Grenada’s Anderson Peters are the only OECS athletes winning World Jr. Championships medals-the first pair of males in the region to ever do so at the championships-after Peters grabbed Javelin Throw bronze with a personal best and national record throw of 79.65m.

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