Young long jumper dreaming of competing in Olympics

Western Bureau

After his smashing performance at last Saturday's Jamaica Public Service Western Primary Schools Athletics Championships in Montego Bay, long jump record holder for boys 12 and under, Alicke Cranston of Black River Primary, is already talking big.

The diminutive athlete said that he dreams of one day competing for Jamaica at the highest levels, including the Olympics, but is, however, willing take his time to grow and to master the art of long jumping, after winning gold in the event with a record leap of 5.12 metres.

"I love doing the long jump. I have watched tapes of world record holder Mike Powell of the US jumping and I try to model myself after him," Cranston said.

"Hopefully, I will still be liking this event, as I want to represent Jamaica at the Olympics," he added. His jump helped Black River to an overall third-place finish in the boys' section of the championships, which was won for a record third time by Corinaldi Avenue Primary.

The Davian Elliott-coached Black River also finished joint first in the girls' category.

Cranston said he was always confident he would win the event.

"I really expected to come here and win, because I am also the national record holder, so I knew once I put in the jumps without fouling, then I would win. I thank my coaches and God for allowing me to do this event and hope to carry on and become much better so that one day I will win gold at the Olympics," Cranston said.