Jamaica's Martin Manley winning the 400 metres gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China last Saturday. Manley clocked 46.31 seconds. - IOC

Youth Olympic Games 400 metres champion, Martin Manley, has dedicated his victory to Cavahn McKenzie, his former schoolmate who died earlier this year.

Manley, last year's IAAF World Youth champion in the one-lap event, captured gold in Nanjing, China in 46.31 seconds.

Winning the event was bittersweet in many ways for the young St. Jago High athlete. After crossing the line in front, he immediately remembered his friend and former colleague. McKenzie, who had gone to represent the country in February at the Central American and Caribbean Cross Country Championship in Tobago, collapsed and died after completing the 6K route.

"He is a fallen soldier so I had to run for him," Manley told the Youth Olympic Games website. Manley tore off his number and turned it towards the TV cameras after crossing the finish line and McKenzie's name was written on the reverse. "Everytime I run I remember him. I use it as an inspiration and, if I could say one thing to him, it would be RIP (return if possible)," said Manley.

He added that he was able to complete the long season because he loved training.

"I am happy to end my season with a bang," said Manley who had a disappointing World Junior Championships in Eugene, Oregon where he failed to get past the semi-finals after finishing seventh in his heat in a pedestrian 48.38 seconds.