Citing recurring injuries that have hampered his ability to progress, Martin Manley, the 2013 World U18 400m champion, has called it quits at the age of 24.

“Today is a difficult day for me, but it is also a day of reflection and gratitude. Representing my country, Jamaica, has been a tremendous honour. During my nine years as a track and field athlete, I’ve always pursued success while preparing and training with the highest standards of competition, perseverance and passion,” he said.

“With much sadness but without regret, I realize that due to recurring injuries, I am no longer able to train and perform at the level track and field demands. I say this with a heavy heart. I am retiring from track and field.”

Just under a decade ago, Manley, a standout student-athlete at St Jago High School, was one of Jamaica’s brightest prospects. He enhanced that reputation when as a member of powerful Jamaican team that won the 2013 World U18 Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine, he won gold medals in the 400m in 45.89 and then as a member of Jamaica’s Medley Relay team that clocked 1:49.23.

In August 2014, he ran 46.31 to win gold in the 400m at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.

In July that year, at the World U20 Championships in the USA, he was a member of the Jamaica 4x400m relay team that won a bronze medal in 3:04.47. He was also a member of Jamaica’s 4x400m team that won the bronze medal in the 4x400m Relay at the World Relays in the Bahamas in April 2017.

Between those moments in his career, Manley suffered injuries that continued to dog him, blighting his development. He migrated to the United States where he had an unsuccessful stint at MVP International in Florida before returning to Jamaica to train in his quest to regain the form that once made him such a hot prospect.

Apparently, this week he determined that he has had enough and decided to draw the curtains on his career.

On Thursday (May 20), he announced that decision to the world.

“This decision was tough, and although I know this will not bring me happiness, I believe it is the right action to take at this time in my life. I cherished every moment of my track and field career and it has been such a blessing to represent my country. I anxiously look forward to the next chapter of my life but this time with the sole focus of developing my new career path,” he said.