Omar represents well against world’s best

Sprinter Tyrone Omar just added another big achievement into his long list of accomplishments after competing well in the 11th IAAF World Indoor Championship in Moscow, Russia Friday.

The 18-year-old Puerto Rico resident competed in the fourth of seven heats for the 60m sprint, placing seventh in his heat with a time of 7.17 seconds. Omar, who anticipated a strong start in the race because of his quickness ofs the blocks, had a reaction time of 0.157 second.

With his finish, the Marianas High School student was able to beat out six other runners in the event, which featured world class athletes from the United States, Japan, Russia, France, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Italy, Finland, Poland, and Hungary, to name a few.

Scott Leonard of the U.S. won the gold medal in the 60m sprint, finishing in a sterling time of 6.5 seconds, while Andrey Yepishin of Russia took silver in 6.52 seconds. Terrence Trammel of the U.S. went home with bronze after clocking in at 6.54 seconds.

The World Indoor Championships concludes today.

Omar was accompanied by coach Elias Rangamar, who also serves as the head coach for the Pacific Oceania delegation.

“This will give Tyrone the exposure and experience in running with the best in the world,” said coach Elias Rangamar said. “He’s very explosive off the blocks, and I doubt if he’ll win, but I’ll guarantee he won’t come in last. He’s pretty quick so he’ll do good.”

“While running against the best in the world, he’s going to watch, meet, and talk with some of the other athletes and hopefully pick up a few things,” Rangamar added.

During an earlier interview, Rangamar explained that he hopes the experience will serve as a stepping stone for Omar in preparations for the 6th Micronesian Games, which will be held on Saipan from June 23 to July 2.

“The mental part is so important. He’ll be competing against the best in the world, then come to compete here. It’s going to give him more confidence,” he said.

The event was Omar’s first official off-island track and field meet. It also served as the first time Omar will compete in an indoor track event.

Since the Micronesia Athletics Championships last December, which he won gold in the 200m sprint while setting a new Championship record, Omar has been focused on the 60m event and has trained six days a week under the guidance of Rangamar and coach Robin Sapong.

Omar also won silver in the 100m and bronze in the medley relay at the MAC.