Alonso Edwards is on the rise. The 19-year-old Panamanian got his fair share of attention at the World Championships in Athletics in Berlin this past summer, when he played second fiddle to the incomparable Usain “Lightning’ Bolt of Jamaica. Edwards had a fabulous 2009 season, which culminated in his establishing a new national record of 19.81 secs in the 200m.

This year at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Championships, Edwards  finished 1st in the 200m (20.34) and 2nd in the 100m (10.09). Photos courtesy of Barton County Community College

The Pedro Miguel-born Edwards made drastic strides this year, which saw him lower his personal best from 20.45 to 19.81 secs. He also took gold in both the 100m (10.29) and 200m (20.45) at the 46th South American Championships in Athletics held in Lima, Peru June 19 to 21.

In May, Edwards, representing Barton County Community College, established a personal best 10.09 secs in the 100m at a track meet in Hutchinson, Kansas. One month prior, he ran his first sub-10-secs 100m in a wind-aided 9.97 secs. (2.3m); this was a sign of things to come in Berlin.

In Berlin, Edwards became the second runner under 20 years old to cover the 200m in under 20.0 secs. His 19.81 performance in Berlin was faster than the 19.93 run by Bolt as a 19-year-old. Under the tutelage of Matt Keane of Barton County Community College, Edwards has risen to new heights and could provide Bolt and Gay with legitimate challenge in the 200m if he continues to improve as he did this year.

Win Significant to Panama 

Edwards’ performance in Berlin is very significant to Panama; he became the third Panamanian to ascend the medal podium at a major athletic championship meet. At the 1948 London Summer Games, Lloyd LaBeach took bronze in both the 100m and 200m to earn Panama’s first medals on the big stage. Sixty years later, Irving Saladino captured Olympic gold in the long jump in Beijing (2008) after winning gold in his pet event at the World Championships in Osaka in 2007.

Edwards, who turns 20 in December, is set to improve and should soon become a member of the sub-10 club, joining 2009 “inductees” Yohan Blake and Daniel Bailey of the Caribbean. His Berlin performance is sure to inspire young Panamanian track athletes, including his younger brother, Mateo Edwards, who is 16 years old with a personal best of 10.80 secs in the 100m.

Alonso's mother, Margaret Edwards, is Jamaican and his father, Panamanian. She ran track while growing up in Jamaica and later got Alonso interested in the sport in Panama.  Alonso, the third of four siblings, has attributed his speed to his mother’s Jamaican roots.