Tough task today for Jamaica
Published:Saturday | September 28, 2019 | 12:00 AMAkino Ming/Staff Reporter
Doha,Qatar:
Today, Jamaica faces the daunting task of continuing its glamorous legacy in the Men’s 100m and breaking the drought in the Men’s Long Jump as both events come into focus at the Khalifa International Stadium here.
The black, green, and gold have secured a medal in athletics’ marquee event since the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, Finland when Michael Frater won silver.
However, the country has failed to win a medal in the men’s horizontal jump since James Beckford finished second at the 2003 Worlds in Paris, France.
Yohan Blake, who won his heat in 10.07 seconds in the preliminary round yesterday, made it clear that he has what it takes to fill the void left when sprinting legend Usain Bolt retired two years ago, and there is never a better time to prove his belief.
The 2011 World champion says yesterday’s race further told him that he is in great shape, as he ran 10.07 seconds without even warming up.
“I didn’t warm up,” he said. “I was around the back sleeping and then I heard that it was time to go,” he said. “So that tells you the sort of shape my body is in.”
Tyquendo Tracey squeezed into the semi-final after he was beaten into fourth in his heat with 10.21 seconds.
“I had a good start, but I didn’t execute in the last 50m,” Tracey said. “[Today] the plan is to just get a good start just the same and run upright in the final 60m.”
Tracey and Blake will navigate the semi-finals at 10:45 a.m., with the final scheduled for 2:15 p.m.
Tajay Gayle, who has finished consistently in the top three on the circuit this season, also struggled in qualification as he produced the 12th best jump with 7.89m.
He attributed his below-par performance to overthinking the new technique he has been working on with his coach, Stephen Francis.
“I have been trying to perfect this new technique and it is like I am overthinking,” said Gayle, who has a personal best of 8.32m. “I am just going to consult my coach and hear his point of view and take it from there, and, hopefully, by tomorrow, everything comes together well.”
Multiple World champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jonielle Smith and Olympic sprint double champion Elaine Thompson will begin Jamaica’s quest to reclaim the Women’s 100m world title when they contest the preliminary round of the event at 8:30 a.m.
Fraser-Pryce and Thompson have the joint fastest time in the world this year with their 10.73 seconds efforts at the National Senior Championships back in June.
Smith was declared for the event late on Thursday after Briana Williams, who was entangled in an anti-doping violation controversy and has since been cleared to compete but with a reprimand, was withdrawn.
Natoya Goule cruised to 2:01.01 minutes to win her heat in the Women’s 800m, and at 11:15 this morning, she is aiming to win the semi-final as she tries to become the first Jamaican woman to win a medal at a major outdoor championship in the 800m.
“The plan was to just go out there and win my heat and qualify for the next round,” Goule said. “[Today,] the aim is just to win the semi-final or ensure that I do not finish outside of the top three.”
Kemar Mowatt had to work in the preliminary round of the Men’s 400m hurdles yesterday. Running from lane nine, the former Munro College athlete squeezed into the semi-final with 49.63 seconds. His quest for a spot in the final is scheduled for 10:04 this morning.
Jordan Scott had to quit in the qualification round of the Men’s triple jump after aggravating a hamstring injury he sustained on Tuesday.
The world number-two-ranked Fedrick Dacres, Chad Wright, and Traves Smikle will seek to qualify for the men’s Discus Throw at 8:15 a.m.
The 4x400m mixed relay team will run out of lane seven in heat one at 12 p.m.
IAAF World Championships 2019 Day Two:
8:15 a.m. Men’s Discus Throw Qualification A
8:30 a.m. Women’s 100m Heats
9:15 a.m. Men’s 800m Heats
9:30 a.m. Men’s Pole Vault Qualification
9:45 a.m. Men’s Discus Throw Qualification B
10:05 a.m. Men’s 400m Hurdles Semi-Final
10:45 a.m. Men’s 100m Semi-Final
11:15 a.m. Women’s 800m Semi-Final
11:25 a.m. Women’s Hammer Throw Final
12:00 p.m. Mixed 4x400m Relay Heats
12:40 p.m. Men’s Long Jump Final
1:10 p.m. Women’s 10,000m Final
2:15 p.m. Men’s 100m Final
3:30 p.m. Men’s 50km Race Walk Final
3:30 p.m. Women’s 50km Race Walk Final