#Carifta2022 | Hibbert makes statement of intent with long jump win
Published:Monday | April 18, 2022 | 12:07 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
Despite a nagging injury that limited his performances, Jamaica’s Jaydon Hibbert said that he had a point to prove in capturing his first Carfita Games gold medal in his first appearance.
Hibbert took the under-20 long jump title with a leap of 7.62 metres on his fifth attempt, ahead of Uroy Ryan of St Vincent and the Grenadines, who had a best of 7.52m. Aren Spencer of Barbados got third with 7.48.
Hibbert, who captured the Class One long jump and triple jump titles at the 2022 ISSA/GraceKennnedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs), said that he was struggling throughout the rounds because of a knee injury that developed the morning of the event. Even with the fatigue of Champs the previous week, Hibbert said that gold in his first Carifta team was about creating the right impression as he prepares for life at the collegiate level.
“I went to the physiotherapist and he said that the nerves in my legs were locked, so that caused the pain. I tried to unlock them and it kind of eased up, but I had to jump through the pain because I wanted to leave a statement before I leave to go to university,” Hibbert told The Gleaner.
High standards
Hibbert will be the newest member of the University of Tennessee track team this fall, which was revealed during Champs. His form may have not been to his high standards, but he said that he was grateful that his maiden medal at the Carifta Games was gold, in spite of the circumstances.
“It (the injury) kind of (affected my performance) because I was struggling a bit to run. But I tried not to think about it too much and I delivered, and I am grateful. I went close to my personal best, what more could I ask for?” Hibbert said.
He is at a phase of his athletic journey where, he says, he will have to improve how he handles adversity, recognising the unforgiving nature of athletics.
“Mentally, I am not that strong, but I am working on it because track and field is a very unfair sport. You can win today and lose tomorrow,” Hibbert said. “I really gave it my all (during Champs), I was feeling really tired this week. I don’t know how I came out here and still had a gold-medal jump. I just have to give it up to God at this point.”
Hibbert says he intends to compete in today’s triple jump final and will be maximising his recovery process, as he hopes to add to his tally.