Kelly McLeod aims for victory in the men’s long jump at the All Japan Junior and Senior Track and Field Championships at the National Stadium on Saturday. (Photo: Naftali Jr.)
Newly crowned national champion in the men’s long jump, Kelly McLeod, has high hopes for next month’s Olympic Games in Paris.
McLeod, the reigning World Indoor Championships bronze medallist, won his first national title on Saturday with a jump of 8.38 metres.
Tournament favourite Wayne Pinnock came second with 8.27m and Sean D. Thompson came third with 8.08m. McLeod reflected on his performance and expressed confidence heading into the Olympics.
“I’m not limiting myself, but I expect a great performance in Paris,” he said. “I’m feeling good, but there’s still work to be done. I’ll go over my plan and fine-tune some things before the Paris Olympics. My initial goal was to do it in one jump, but it took me two more tries to get it right.”
World championship silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts won her sixth national triple jump title with a jump of 14.50m. A’Keria Smith followed with 14.44m and Imani Oliver came in third with 13.69m. Ricketts and Kimberly Williams are the only two athletes who have met the Olympic qualification standard to represent Jamaica in Paris. Williams came in fourth with 13.67m.
Meanwhile, Danielle Thomas-Dodd had an outstanding performance in the women’s shot put, scoring a season’s best of 19.32m to claim her ninth national title. At 31 years old and competing in her third Olympic Games, Thomas-Dodd dominated the competition, beating Lloydricia Cameron (17.62m) and Danielle Sloly (15.05m). Expressing her satisfaction with her performance, Thomas-Dodd said, “I’m excited and pleased with my performance. It sets a good precedent for the Olympics and I’m thrilled that everything is coming together.”
Elsewhere in the track events, Brian Revell won his semifinal in a time of 20.53 seconds to top all qualifiers who advanced to the boys’ 200m final. Defending national champion Andrew Hudson followed closely behind in 20.59, while Cheviot Reed (20.60), Jabari Thomas (20.70), Gary Card (20.72) and Ashanny Smith (20.77) also advanced to the final.
Sherika Jackson, who won the national 100m title on Friday, continued her strong form in the women’s 200m, topping all qualifiers in 22.67. Jackson, the second-fastest woman ever over the distance, romped to a comfortable semifinal win. Dejanae Oakley (22.77), Nisha Burger (22.90) and Jodine Williams (22.86) also advanced to the final.
World Championship finalist Akela Nugent led the heats in the women’s 100m hurdles with a time of 12.42 seconds. She will be joined in the final by reigning world champion Danielle Williams (12.57) and Olympic bronze medalist Megan Tupper (12.71).
