RAYMOND GRAHAM, Star Writer

SEVERAL of the country's leading athletes will be in action on local soil this weekend as they compete in the JN-sponsored Jamaica International Invitational track and field meet at the National Stadium tomorrow.

Among them will be the former world junior 200 metres silver medallist Nickel Ashmeade, who will not only be anxious to show what he's got, but is simply glad to be home. Ashmeade, who failed to win the gold medal at the World Junior Championships two years ago in Bydgoscyz, Poland, by one hundredth of a second is excited to be back on local soil.

first individual event

"I am really happy and excited to be competing in Jamaica this weekend, as this is a great opport-unity for me to compete in my first individual event since turning professional. This is also an opportunity for me to see my family and friends for the first time in over a year," Ashmeade said.

The former St Jago High School sprinter, who like former Calabar athlete Ramone McKenzie, decided to turn professional instead of attending college, says that he is enjoying his new status.

"At first I was a little bit homesick and was wondering if I had made the right choice, but after several months I started to enjoy the whole thing as the people around me made me feel welcome and this helped me to adjust well," he continued.

"I have some great training partners, including McKenzie, Steve Mullings and Tyson Gay and they have helped me to improve in training," he continued.

Ashmeade also spoke highly of his new coach, Lance Brauman.

strength work

"Coach is guiding me very well and he is not rushing things. I am still young and my goal is to make the World Championships and the Olympic teams. This season I ran on two 4x400 metres relay teams and I am pleased with my splits, which were low 46 seconds and this has helped me with my strength work for the 200 metres," said Ashmeade, who will compete in the 200 metres event tomorrow.

Asked why he will take part in the 200 metres and not the 400 metres, which will be the more competitive with the likes of Usain Bolt, Mullings and company, the athlete divulged that decision had been made after consulting with his coach.

"I know that Usain is in another zone but when I step on the track I do not focus on any athlete as I do what I have to do. My coach and I sit down and we both decide on what is the best thing for me to do." Ashmeade believes his good work ethic at St Jago High was helpful in allowing him to make the transition to the professional stage.

"I think that coach Danny Hawthorne prepared me quite well at St Jago and because of that I had no problem adjusting," he said.