'Watch out for Blake' - Why the beast could be back on the medal podium come Tokyo |Tokyo Take Ep.4

The Jamaican, now 31, was once billed as the heir apparent to illustrious compatriot Usain Bolt after several competitive displays against the world record holder. In 2011, Blake took the gold medal in the 100m, at the Daegu World Championships, after Bolt was disqualified for false starting.

The sprinter followed that up with two close finishes behind Bolt in the 100m and the 200m at the London Olympics the following year. In that time period, Blake also posted the second-fastest times ever recorded over both events with 9.69 in the 100m and 19.26 in the 200m.

His rapid upward trajectory ground sharply to a halt, however, when he suffered a major hamstring injury in 2013 and then again in 2014. The sprinter has since struggled to rediscover anything close to his best form.

Two years later he was back on the world stage at the 2016 Rio Olympics but finished fourth in 100m final and crashed out at the semifinal stage in the 200m. When it comes to performing at major games, it's safe to say things have not improved since. At the 2017 World Championships in London, Blake once again finished fourth in the 100m and failed to advance to the 200m final.

Two years later at the 2019 World Championships, the first without Bolt, he placed fifth in the 100m and for a fourth straight major game did not advance to the 200m final.

Despite finishing second in both events at the National Championships a few weeks ago, however, Levy believes the athlete is in physical shape to launch an assault on the medal podium later this month.

A time anywhere in the region of 9.8s would have been enough to get the athlete a spot on the podium at any of the last seven major games, including in 2011 when he won the title.

Levy also pointed to Blake’s most recent performance, a 9.95 clocking at the Stars and Stripes Classic in Georgia last week. The time was his fastest of the season.

“He ran 9.95 in Florida, his best time since 2017 when he ran 9.94 in Brussels.”

Blake’s time of 9.95 puts him 11th on the world list this season, which is led by the USA’s Trayvon Bromell who ran 9.77 last week.

The athlete himself has, however, also constantly reiterated his determination to get back on the podium.

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[CALord-tcww]

Kirani James ran 43.94 and was the first non American to go sub 44. He gave that believe and hope that caused so many others since then to break that barrier.

[sherwood]

Yohan is a wonderful young man and athlete. The fact that he is still running, after the two horrific injuries, is commendable. However, a medal will not happen. Yohan can still occasionally run sub-10 races, but his legs no longer have the ability to do so consistently. We have not seen Yohan put two back-to-back sub-10 races in the last two years.

[newbassplayer]

Blake career is been inconsistent in the last 3-4 years. I don't think he's back to his old self, it would be difficult for him to get a med al in the 100m in Tokyo.

[simonemathew]

I taught i was the only one who think Blake had a chance...

[maxolien]

Blake has to run 9:8 or 9:7 to medal.. the speed at which those Americans are running and that South African i will wait on those Calabar, JC and KC boys that will be ready in the next 4 years. They are coming.. and will be a force to be reckoned with . The females will be ready our male team look shaky

[richmck]

One day after, Blake went, didn’t do, and came home without the title.
Will we see a medal in the 4x100..?

[didi]

Blake the Beast? Olympics medal? I m not feeling it.

[hx]

Taking great pleasure in being the first person to comment here.... I want to dispel this myth, idea, hope or belief that Blake will medal in Tokyo. Blake's greatest challenge will be making the finals where he certainly will NOT medal.

[donnievincent]

kirani ran 43.94 in London Olympic final

[kemaribennett]

For 400m Chris taylor is surprising u may not kno what can happen

[tyrellreid]

Don't forget Usain has lost one of his gold medals

[pubgmgaming]

James will get a silver or bronze medal mark my word experience and mental strenght is the 400 metres.

[ferdinandvanzyl]

South Africa will get Gold 🇿🇦
In 100m mens Akani Simbini
Blake will run atleast bronz
490m men I believe in Wayde van Niekerk
And the surprise mens 4x100m
And yes my vote is all for Shelly Ann to get Gold in Tokyo 100m
🇯🇲Jamaica will get Gold in womans 100m relay with a new world record
Bronze in 400m relay behind Poland

[timothytuannguyen]

Sadly he didn’t even make it to the final. There was potential but he’s been inconsistent over the last few years

[jonathanalleyne]

What about barbados Jonathan Jones 400m?

[yawos]

This guy is talking rubbish! Has Gardiner ever beaten Wayde Van Niekerk? How could you talk about 400 meters without even mentioning the world record holder and Olympic Champion Wayde?

[Tylaw]

Blake has not shot at making the finals. 9.95 won’t get you out of the semi’s

[entertainmentjammin]

Sorry but Blake better days are gone him ran too sluggish his knees not going up high enough because of the weight and I don't think he got the push in training.

[afrobuddy]

Blake is done lol. He will make it to the finals but he aint sniffing a medal