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The “Socks Man”
as he is affectionately called because of his love for “pretty sock”
“They call me ‘Socks Man’ back home
because my feet are always pretty in my colored socks. I love to get them from
different stores all over the world. The last pair I bought was in Canada. They
were a mix of pink, orange, blue, gray. I like to have a mix as I always wear
different socks at the same time.”
The ‘Beast” also
has a softer side to him, as he enjoys reading the “The Notebook” and
listening to Michael Jackson music.
Blake on his pre-race routine:
“Sometimes I say, ‘fly like a bird,
sting like a bee,’ to get myself like Muhammad Ali to get a hold of myself.”
The
full interview is below…….
GQ:
Were you surprised at just how much attention the watch got at the Olympics?
Yohan Blake: A bit but not that surprised considering the fact that it was a clash between Hublot and Richard Mille, [Usain] Bolt and myself. The funny story us that he only wore his watch on the podium - I actually ran in mine. Being in London where people love watches so much - it created a stir in the air.
Yohan Blake: A bit but not that surprised considering the fact that it was a clash between Hublot and Richard Mille, [Usain] Bolt and myself. The funny story us that he only wore his watch on the podium - I actually ran in mine. Being in London where people love watches so much - it created a stir in the air.
You ran in the prototype.
Have you now upgraded to the final model?
This is the real one here! [brandishes left wrist] The most interesting change between the prototype and this one is the claw on the dial. It's a really nice timepiece - I've never seen anything like it. It's bold so everybody can see! You can't hide it.
This is the real one here! [brandishes left wrist] The most interesting change between the prototype and this one is the claw on the dial. It's a really nice timepiece - I've never seen anything like it. It's bold so everybody can see! You can't hide it.
Unusually you wear
your watch on the right wrist, but you're right handed...
Yes, I'm a bit different. When I'm running this is the "force" side of my body, so I want to feel it right here. By the time I check it the race is over. I check it on the podium. If I tried to check it during the race people would think I was being a show-off.
Yes, I'm a bit different. When I'm running this is the "force" side of my body, so I want to feel it right here. By the time I check it the race is over. I check it on the podium. If I tried to check it during the race people would think I was being a show-off.
What's the best
advice you've received in your career?
Don't boast about what you do. Even if you're on top of the world you never know when you'll be back at the bottom. Stay humble and stay focussed on what you do.
Don't boast about what you do. Even if you're on top of the world you never know when you'll be back at the bottom. Stay humble and stay focussed on what you do.
Some might say Bolt has made a career
out of peacocking on the track when he wins...
That's different - he's very nervous. He does all of that to get that nervousness away. Trust me. It's a release.
That's different - he's very nervous. He does all of that to get that nervousness away. Trust me. It's a release.
What do you think
most people get wrong about you?
That I'm a living and walking beast. I'm just a normal guy, you know? People can come up and talk to me and not be afraid to ask for a picture or something. I get it all the time.
That I'm a living and walking beast. I'm just a normal guy, you know? People can come up and talk to me and not be afraid to ask for a picture or something. I get it all the time.
How do you conquer
your fear before you go out on the track?
I try to stay in my zone. Sometimes I say "fly like a bird, sting like a bee" to myself like Muhammad Ali to get a hold of myself. I want that adrenaline rush in my body.
I try to stay in my zone. Sometimes I say "fly like a bird, sting like a bee" to myself like Muhammad Ali to get a hold of myself. I want that adrenaline rush in my body.
What was the last
stylish item you purchased?
Pretty socks. They call me "Socks Man" back home because my feet are always pretty in my coloured socks. I love to get them from different stores all over the world. The last pair I bought was in Canada, they were a mix of pink, orange, blue, grey. I like to have a mix as I always wear different socks [on either foot] at the same time.
Pretty socks. They call me "Socks Man" back home because my feet are always pretty in my coloured socks. I love to get them from different stores all over the world. The last pair I bought was in Canada, they were a mix of pink, orange, blue, grey. I like to have a mix as I always wear different socks [on either foot] at the same time.
What sort of music do
you listen to?
Michael Jackson. I listen to reggae in training - you have to be rough [then]. My favourite track is "Dream" by Popcaan. But when I'm at home with my love novel...
Michael Jackson. I listen to reggae in training - you have to be rough [then]. My favourite track is "Dream" by Popcaan. But when I'm at home with my love novel...
Which would be?
Haha! [pause] The Notebook. When I'm reading I play Michael Jackson really soft in the background.
Haha! [pause] The Notebook. When I'm reading I play Michael Jackson really soft in the background.
We hear you're
already working on the sequel to your watch?
Yes, already working with Richard on the next one. I can't reveal any details just yet. You will see…"in time".
Yes, already working with Richard on the next one. I can't reveal any details just yet. You will see…"in time".
The RM59-01 Yohan Blake tourbillon is available now at Richard Mille in
Harrods, Knightsbridge, SW1. £438,000. richardmille.com
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