Christopher Anthony Taylor, aka ‘Cubby’.
If you’re not yet familiar with this name , I suggest you make note of it now, because he is coming soon! Christopher Taylor, aka ‘Cubby’ was born on October 1, 1999. As a youngster, he had no initial interest in track and field during the early years of his primary school journey. He was later discovered by the track coach who invited him to training and he did not look back as his junior career was about to get started.
Cubby…A nightmare
Young Taylor was a nightmare for many of his rivals throughout his tenure in high school competition. He would deny his opponents repeatedly, even when all signs indicate that the competitor’s victory seem sure. One of his most impressive championship victories was 2016, going up against one of his biggest rivals with a personal best of 44.94 second as the U20 champion in the 400M. Sitting in the grandstand, at the national stadium in Jamaica, I think I was more excited about the final race (4x400m relay) than anyone else, and ‘Cubby’ did not disappoint. He served up something special to take home the fifth straight title in an emphatic fashion. Calabar had already won the championship based on points standing going into the final event, this performance was the icing on the cake to give fans a high level experience.
The lean of the head…
Taylor got the baton ahead of his main rival and went out hard for the first 100m, the naked eyes saw that his speed was cut significantly as if he was waiting or resting, as his opponent went by him. With about 100m to the finish line, Taylor did his signature lean of his head to the right, and the entire stadium was on its feet with excitement, we all knew what was coming. With every stride, he was closer to his lanky opponent who was his senior, and of course the energy from the fans was like the wind behind him as he motors passed him to the finish line in style, sending the stadium in a frenzy!
Cubby at it again…stealing Champs
Another exciting championship was 2017 trailing his main rival by four (4) points heading into the final event, the 4x400m relay again. many fans including myself in my black and green were very attentive calculating points and the possible results outcome, with nerves reacting and emotions heighten while teams get in their blocks to bring down the curtain on another exciting championship.
The excitement started at the starter’s gun as Calabar was large and in charge and was not to be denied with Cubby at the helm. The question was, where will their main rival finish at the end of the race with Calabar winning the event? Anywhere outside of third would mean victory for Taylor and his team, once more. Anchoring the relay, he was in a no-nonsense mood as he ensured that his Red Hills Road school captured maximum points, while their main rival could only manage fifth place. This electrifying performance once more ultimately won the championship for the sixth straight times, and this time by three (3) points making a big statement, bringing the jammed packed national stadium to its feet in shock, because they were doubted and written off by many!!
Competing for country
The same energy he had competing for his schools, was the same when competing for his country. His international junior career which spans from 2015 – 2018 for his country on numerous occasions included the, CARIFTA Games repeatedly. He also represented the country at the World U18 Championship (World Youth), World U20 Championship (World Junior’s), and the Pan American Junior Championships capturing 18 medals, including 12 golds, in the 200m, 400m, 4x100m relay, and the 4x400m relay.
With a well decorated junior resume, Taylor also has impressive performances at the Penn Relay where he competed numerous times for his high school. Also, as a junior, he won the National Senior Championship in the 400m in a National Junior record in a time of 44.88 seconds and The Jamaica Invitational in the 200m defeating high profile professionals and Olympians including Lashawn Merritt. He is exciting to watch on the track and he never disappoints, and he can boast a very impressive track and field resume to prove it with personal best (PB) in several events including the 100m 10.11, 200m 20.35, 400m 44.88, 4x100m relay 38.96, and 4x400m relay 3:03.77.
Chris Taylor as he is famously called in Jamaica, holds the National Junior records for both the 400m and 100m that he shares with Yohan Blake. He is now in the professional league since summer 2019 to add more glory to his already impressive career. Training in the United States, he is making steady progression to perfect his craft as a senior with alot of treats in store for track and field fans around the world.
His immediate focus is to be a strong candidate on Jamaica’s team to the next Olympics #Tokyo2020 (2021).
Junior Career events and personal best (PB)!
| Event | Time |
| 100m | 10:11 |
| 200m | 20.35 |
| 400m Jamaica Youth Record-U18 | 45.27 |
| 400m Championship Record | 46.64 |
| 400m Jamaica National Junior Record -U20 | 44.88 |
| 4x100m Relay | 38.96 |
| 4x400m Relay | 3:03.79 |
References:
World athletics, https://worldathletics.org/athletes/jamaica/christopher-taylor-14635736
HP Sports Corner 