Martin Manley after winning the boys' 400m at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games (© Getty Images)
Jamaica’s world youth and Youth Olympic Games 400m champion Martin Manley has proved to be a stellar teenage talent over one lap of the track during the past couple of seasons.
The 17-year-old now takes his turn answering our work, rest, play questions.
Martin at work
What is your favourite training session?
Martin Manley: I like block starts because I like to show the sprinters that the quarter milers do have speed.
What is your least favourite training session?
MM: Weights, because they are heavy and very tiring.
What are your three favourite things about being an athlete?
MM: I enjoy the winning, the training and the people involved in the sport.
Who is your favourite training partner?
MM: Raheem Chambers (the world number two youth 100m runner in 2014) because he is always saying he's the best over 60m, but I like to show him sometimes that is not true.
Where is your favourite training venue?
MM: GC Foster College in Spanish Town. That is where most of the serious track work is done and I prefer it to training at St Jago's (High School) because they have a 320m track, so if I ran a 350m rep you have to pass the finish line!
Martin at rest
Describe your perfect day without training.
MM: I like to head out towards the city and relax.
What is your favourite stress reliever?
MM: Music helps relieve the stress. I like to listen to a range of music from hip hop to dancehall.
Where is your favourite place to relax?
MM: My bed, with me, myself and I.
What TV shows do you like to relax to?
MM: I enjoy cartoons: Spongebob and The Fairly Odd Parents.
Martin at play
We hear you are a big football fan. Did you play the game and, if so, to what standard?
MM: I played up until I was an under-14. I played as a forward but I wasn't too good and I didn't score many goals.
Do you follow a particular team?
MM: FC Barcelona. They have a type of playing style that I love.
Do you have a favourite player?
MM: Lionel Messi (of Argentina and Barcelona) because he is a great dribbler, he has broken a lot of records and the only cup he has not won is the World Cup. Messi is also a great role model.
Which track and field athlete would make the best footballer?
MM: Jaheel Hyde (world youth 110m hurdles champion and world junior 400m hurdles champion) would make an excellent footballer. I've seen him play. He has played for the Jamaican under-17 team.
Which footballer would be best suited to the sprints?
MM: Cristiano Ronaldo (of Real Madrid and Portugal). He has a lot of power, raw speed and the body of a sprinter.
Steve Landells for the IAAF
