Sprinter sets a new standard
By Don Fennell
Wind and rain created havoc Tuesday at The Richmond Review Kajaks International Track Classic, but the elements failed to fluster Nicolas Macrozonaris.
Seen by many in the track community as the heir apparent to the national men’s sprint crown, Macrozanaris (who lived in Richmond for two years in the mid-1990s, attending Hugh Boyd Secondary) breezed to a pair of victories in the 100 and 200 metre races. Making the results even more impressive, the Montreal Vainqueurs runner set a new meet record of 10.41 seconds in the 100 metres (breaking the old standard of 10.5 seconds set by Brad McGuaig in 1998). He also narrowly missed eclipsing McGuaig’s mark at 200 metres, crossing the finish line in a blistering 21.52 seconds. (McGuaig’s best was 21.18).
What’s more, the meet was only the second Macrozonaris has been able to participate in this season.
“This season I went to a training camp in Texas and everything was going great, then I came back and thought I had a knee problem,” explained the affable 21-year-old.
“They did an MRI (x-ray) and didn’t see anything but for three weeks I was not doing much so I really don’t know where I’m standing,” he said.
Macrozonaris is also expected to compete at this weekend’s Harry Jerome International Track Classic, and is hoping to be at or near his best for the national championships which are just a few weeks away.
“These little turbulences make athletes stronger,” he suggested. “You either succeed to the highest level or you crash.”
A Montreal native, Macrozonaris literally burst onto the scene out of nowhere when he made the 2000 Olympic team. He routinely participated in the elementary meets, but didn’t take the sport seriously and wasn’t even a member of a track club until 1998.
“I really got into it then, had some good races, and was lucky too,” said Macrozonaris, who was inspired by Donovan Bailey’s success at the Atlanta Olympics.
“I didn’t run very fast races until the Olympic qualifier where everything was perfect for me. The beauty of this sport is you do your standard and you’re on the team. In basketball (for example) it’s different, you have to (be good) day in and out and impress the scouts.”
Macrozanaris, who hopes to compete at the world championships next season and at the Olympics the following year, said competing at last summer’s worlds in Edmonton was probably the highlight of his career so far. He said he had so much fun there.
While Bailey provided the inspiration, Macrozonaris said another OIympic sprinter, Bruny Surin, has been a great supporter.
“Bruny is the guy who has really carried me under his wing,” he said. “He’s amazing. Just before I ran the Olympic qualifier he tapped me on the shoulder and said `you can do this.’”
Although surprised by his own rapid progress, Macrozonaris continues to work hard to ensure he continues to improve. He’s begun to focus on weightlifting and has gained about four pounds (going to 172 from 168).
“It’s hard for me to gain mass and muscle and it’s going to take me a few years to get to the level I want,” he said. “But once I get that upper body strength I can be better.”
Others who know track and field well believe he could be destined for greatness.
“He’s the top contender to be number one for the next decade,” said Marek Jedrezejek, a coach with the Kajaks and the University of B.C. who has been to several international meets.
“I think there’s a lot of talent there and that’s the reason why he can still get very far,” he explained. “The conditions were bad (Tuesday) but he was not afraid to compete. A lot of sprinters wouldn’t risk injury.”
Despite his success and promising future though, Macrozonaris is unimpressed by fame. And he’s determined to maintain his friendly, outgoing nature.
Men 100 Meter Dash
Section 3 Wind: 0.4
1 Macrozonaris, Nicolas Vainqueurs 10.41
2 Boussombo, Antoine Edmonton Int 10.66
3 Hill, Lorenzo Club Ballard 10.93
4 Small, Larry Coq. Cheetah 11.01
4 Smith, Glenn Boa Athletic 11.01
6 Buchi, Steven
Men 200 Meter Dash
Section 1 Wind: -0.2
1 Macrozonaris, Nicolas Vainqueurs 21.52
2 Christopher, Tyler Edmonton Int 21.60
3 Hill, Lorenzo Club Ballard 21.70
4 Akinremi, Okiki Mississauga 22.14
5 Boussombo, Antoine Edmonton Int 22.74
6 Smith, Glenn Boa Athletic 22.76
7 Joachim, Kirk Coq. Cheetah 23.58
Full Results Click Here |
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