London 2017 | Getting to shot put final a big deal for Thomas-Dodd

LONDON, England:

Danniel Thomas-Dodd says she is looking to remain calm throughout her series as she takes her spot in the women's shot put final tonight at the IAAF World Championships in London and is hoping to act as an inspiration for others.

"In the past, I have talked about wanting to be that person that everyone can look up to," she said after her historic effort.

Thomas-Dodd, registered a mark of 18.42m on her second attempt to become the first Jamaican woman to qualify directly to the final of the event at the World Championships. Kim Barrett was promoted to the final retroactively after several ladies, who placed ahead of her at the Helsinki 2005 championship were later stripped of their marks because of doping.

MAKING TOP 12

"When my coach and I talked about it, we wanted to come out here and make it to the final, just a nice smooth throw and make it into the top 12. I'm not going to talk about getting a medal, everybody has that in their mind, I am just going to go out there, have fun, I have made it thus far, it's been a long season and to make it to the top 12 at this point in the season, is a big deal for me," she said.

Her mark arrived after a foul on her first attempt and gives her the fifth best measurement going into the final, which takes place at 8:25 p.m. (2:25 p.m. Jamaica time).

"I am very happy," she added. "The last two years were a struggle especially being in college, but now that I am finished with my studies, I can focus on my throwing, and just by being able to focus on that, it has paid off for me, but I'm not going to put any pressure on myself.

"I'm not going to say what it is that I am expecting going into the final, I am just going to have fun and relax because that's one of the things I struggled with in the past, not letting the technique work so going in the final that's one of the things I hope to make work."

Jamaica has not won a female field event medal since Trecia-Kaye Smith won gold in the triple jump at the 2005 Helsinki instalment.