Yohan Blake (aka
"The Beast"), recently did an interview with British GQ, where he talked about his famous $500,000 watch that he wore in the Jamaican
national colours
for every medal-winning race at the London Olympics. Blake has now upgraded to
a new watch with a beast claw covering its face.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
Which would be?
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".
The RM59-01 Yohan Blake tourbillon is available now at Richard Mille in
Harrods, Knightsbridge, SW1. £438,000. richardmille.com
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