Dacres expects fierce discus battle

In what he believes will be the most competitive national championships in recent memory, 2019 World Championship discus silver medallist Fedrick Dacres knows that with the strength of the throwers this season, he needs to be at his best to be on the plane to Budapest, Hungary, next month.

Dacres was speaking at Thursday’s launch of the National Senior and Junior Championships which will begin next Thursday. In a year where he feels that he is now in good shape, Dacres landed his best throw in May, winning the Tuscon Elite Classic with a season’s best effort of 68.57m. It was an effort that achieved the automatic qualifying standard for the World Championships.

However, he feels that the strength of the throwers this year will require him to ensure that he delivers at the National Championships. He is one of three Jamaican men who have thrown 68m this year.

“Based on the numbers alone, you realise that most guys are actually firing. You have three guys who are over 68m this year. Traves (Smikle) has always been an issue. NCAA silver medallist Roje Stona is very good. You have Kai Chang who is catching form now,” Dacres told The Gleaner. In these trials, if you slip, you slide. But when it is all said and done, you have to come and perform on the day. Everybody wants it. You just have to be ready and then we will see after that.”

Dacres’ foreshadowing on how competitive the National Championships will be is further cemented by the fact that Stona, Smikle and himself are in the top 10 best throwers this year. Stona leads the way as the sixth-best thrower with 68.64m while Smikle is ranked ninth with 68.14m.

SEVENTH IN THE WORLD

Dacres’ season’s best mark puts him seventh in the world and he says that he feels in a more comfortable mindset having cleared the first barrier in getting the championship standard.

“To make the standard wasn’t really an issue for me. It was always about getting a mark that I was proud of. I feel I am better than the 68m. But when all is said and done, it is what it is. I got the mark. Now I am a bit more comfortable. I am settled. It’s just about prepping for the championships,” Dacres said.

Dacres struggled last year because of a nagging injury and while he has had to manage issues this season, he feels he is in the best shape possible to perform.

“Last year I was out because of the groin thing. This year it did affect me right about two weeks before the Racers Grand Prix (in June). But based on how I feel, I know if I can move, I should be good. I went to Europe a few weeks ago and I did way better than I did in Jamaica. And that was in the competition with the major guys. So I can’t complain at all,” Dacres said.

Excited to be a part of what he calls the most competitive National Championships, he is not putting any boundaries on his expectations when asked about the possibility of getting back to 70m, a mark he hadn’t reached since 2019.

“This is the hottest trials and I am glad to be a part of it. I just want to feel OK on the day. I feel like I am in the best shape of my life and let’s see what happens,” Dacres said.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.con