Distin vows to get over shock defeat

Jamaica’s top high jumper, Lamara Distin, was at a loss for words as she tried to explain her shock defeat in the women’s high jump competition at the National Senior Championships at the National Stadium yesterday.

Distin, who is ranked third in the world with a mark of 1.97 metres, had to settle for second in the event with a mark of 1.85m. It was her first defeat of the season in the event. The event was won by Kimberly Williamson with a leap of 1.88m. Mahuchikh Yaroslava of the Ukraine is the top high jumper in the world this year with a mark of 2.01m.

Distin said the defeat is a wake-up call for her because her execution was very poor throughout yesterday's competition.

“I am very disappointed because I didn’t expect to end this way,” said Distin. “I just feel like it was just one of those days and I just have take it and move on because I am glad that it has happened now and not at the World Championships,” she said.

“I just need to work my approach and just get it right, because my approach and execution were not as smooth as I expected them to be throughout the event,” Distin said.

Distin, a Rusea’s High School, Vere Technical High School and Hydel High School past student, is coming off an outstanding collegiate season where she won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Indoor and Outdoor Division 1 high jump titles.

She remains the only Jamaican to achieve the World Championships qualifying mark of 1.96m. Distin plans to return much stronger for next month’s World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

“I know that I will do much better come the World Championships, but I just need to keep my focus and do what I have to do and listen to my coach,” Distin said.