Long jumper Foster achieves 6m goal on big stage

There were huge celebrations inside the National Stadium on Thursday evening as Mount Alvernia High’s Aaliyah Foster celebrated wildly after recording a new personal best mark to win the final of the Class Two girls’ long jump competition at the ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships.

Foster cut the sand with a leap of 6.03 metres in a very competitive field to win the event. Jade-Ann Dawkins of St Jago High was second in the event with a mark of 5.82m while third went to Doniellia Lewis of Edwin Allen High, with a best of 5.65m.

The 16-year-old Foster, who won a silver in the event in Class Two last year, said her aim was to jump more than six metres at the championships and she is delighted that she achieved that goal.

HEART-WARMING EXPERIENCE

“I have been aiming at six metres for the past two years, and to come here and do it on the big stage is really a heart-warming experience,” said Foster.

“It still feels surreal to this moment, and I just want to thank God for helping me to achieve and for my teammates, my family and friends for believing in me,” she said.

The lanky Foster, who achieved her winning mark on her fifth attempt, added that the event was very difficult but she was always confident that she would emerge as the winner.

“It was a very competitive event because the girl from St Jago High (Jade-Ann Dawkins) is a really talented jumper and so it was really challenging at first, but I know I am Aaliyah Foster and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” said Foster.

She also added that she had to overcome a lot of adversity in her build-up to championships, but the help of her coach, family members and teammates enabled her to overcome.

“This year was really difficult for me because of some injuries here and there, but I really pushed through all of that and came out here and just do my best,” she said.