– says he would have been Physical Therapist if he didn’t take up track & field career
Malachi Austin had his eyes set in a global showpiece; the Olympic Games
“I would want to be known as one of the greatest Junior and Senior 400m athlete to come from Guyana.” These were the words of 18-year-old Malachai Austin who presently holds the record in the U20 400m for the Luisanna State University Alumni Gold Meet with a time of 46.2s.
This young athlete from D’Urban Street, Lodge, Georgetown attended the Tutorial High School where he completed his secondary education.
In January of 2025, he was awarded a scholarship to attend the Luisanna State University, USA pursing studies in Kinesiology (Scientific study of human body movement) and is a member of the Running Brave Athletics Club.
His achievements include a gold medal at the Carifta Games in 2024, a gold medal at the South American Games also in 2024 and a silver medal in the 2023 Junior Commonwealth Games. In fact, he is no stranger to the track as he has participated in the 2023, 2024 and 2024 Carfita Games, 2023 Junior Commonwealth Games, the South American U20 and the World U20.
Austin’s journey in track and field stared when he secured a podium spot at the Guyana Teachers’ Union/Ministry of Education National Secondary School Championships (NSSC) in 2017 where he competed in the 400m race.
Ever since, that is the only race he ran because it gives him time to think during the race but more importantly, give him time for the adrenaline to kick in making him unstoppable.
In an interview with the Guyana Times Sport from the USA, he explained that his biggest influence in track and field would be himself. “I would always look on myself how far I’ve come in track and field and it would motivate me to keep going… keep improving and be the best I can be,” he related.
“Throughout my younger days, I liked the 400 meters and I was always skeptical of running it but then I joined the Super Upcoming Runners (SUR) club where I was first introduced to running the 400m, and when I switched clubs and joined the Running Brave Athletics Club (RBAC) my 400m career just took a major uphill climb under Coach Julian Edmonds.”
However, being an athlete is no easy task as it takes self-discipline, dedication, a rigid training routing and a healthy nutrition. For Austin, he has a basic routine of just eating lots of fruits and getting the basic and necessary treatments from the rehab centers.
He nevertheless, feels that that one of the most challenging parts in this sport to stay healthy – something that he is working to master.
When it comes to training, he explained, “During training periods when my body is tired and I physically can’t go on anymore, I turn it into a mental game and constantly recite the names of people I have competed against and lost against to remind myself that I am never allowing it to happen again. As such, I force my body to keep going.” When it comes to balancing his training, and personal life, he is a pro at it simply by prioritizing the priority.
On this note, before any major competitions, the Guyanese-born athlete would always remind himself of his down falls, the sacrifices he has made in life, and the torment he put himself through every day at training.
“Before any competition, I would take a minute of silence and say a prayer to ask God for the courage and strength to go out and perform without any fear,” was his response when asked about him handling pressure at a high-stake meet.
Thus far, his most memorable moment in his track and field career was breaking the record for the 4x400m mixed race at the Commonwealth Junior games in 2022. Although he has been beaten before in race meets, he remains optimistic and does not allow that to settle under his skin.
“I just remind myself that everything is God’s plan and all failures are just an opportunity for a better comeback,” he told this publication. Looking ahead, he hopes to become an Olympic Medalist for Guyana, to break the National Record in the 400m, and to become a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champion.
In addition, his eyes are set on winning a second gold medal at the Carifta Games and also to be the National record holder in Guyana for the second time.
Meanwhile, Austin feels that if he didn’t take up athletics, he would have been a Physical Therapist helping and assisting athletes with injuries and rehabilitation.
“I would tell the younger athletes to keep pushing and stay focused. Be 100 per cent committed to the sport if this is the life you really choose to go after and always remember that temporary failure is part of growth,” was his advice to the young men and women who want to take up a career in the field.
When he is not in the gym, on the track or in classes, this young man practically sleeps all day stating that he needs all the rest he can.
