Brandon Lloyd – new kid on the discus block

You might think you know all the contenders for places on the Jamaica team to the Budapest World Championships in the men’s discus. Think again. There’s a new kid on the block and his name is Brandon Lloyd.

Along with the retired Jason ‘Dadz’ Morgan, Fedrick Dacres, Traves Smikle and Chad Wright are the pioneers. The young guns are 2018 World Under-20 champion Kai Chang, two-time NCAA medal winner Roje Stona and 2021 World Under 20 runner-up Ralford Mullings. All six of these men were on the radar as schoolboys but Lloyd has sneaked up on the blind side. After a career unmarked by medals at Boys and Girls’ Championships, this seven-foot one-inch giant has blasted forward with a United States Junior College title garnered with a record distance of 65.32 metres.

Davion Chantiloupe taught Lloyd how to throw at Clarendon College for which he finished sixth in both the Class One discus and shot put at the 2021 Boys and Girls’ Championships. Coach Chantiloupe thinks that one day Lloyd could overtake Dacres’ Jamaican record of 70.78m.

“The first time I met Brandon, he was six feet eight inches and I worked with him, teaching him, because basically, the first year for me is about teaching the right concept,” he explained.

The lad sprang up. “When Brandon came to me the second year, that was first year Class One, he grew and he was seven feet,” he said, still stunned. “We had to teach him everything all over again,” the coach added.

Sadly, a sprained finger spoiled Lloyd’s last Champs.

“So that’s why at Champs,” the coach detailed, “he did not get a medal. He was under severe pain.”

Chantiloupe sent the young giant off to Barton County Community College on scholarship with sound advice.

“I told him, your journey doesn’t stop here. Champs is not all and just keep on working hard,” he recounted.

“I see where maybe he could be the next national record holder. The possibilities for him are endless. It’s just for him to be around an environment where he is comfortable,” the coach said early in June. “He wants to be in an environment where he’s not the best because over the years, he’s always been in an environment where he has been the best. He wants to be in an environment where he’s chasing to be the best,” Chantiloupe said.

Brandon is expected to join a formidable field at the July 6-9 National Championships where a top three finish and a World Athletics Championships qualifying throw of 67 metres will put him on the plane.

Whatever happens, Chantiloupe is delighted that Lloyd is now the seventh best Jamaican discus thrower of all-time.

“ It’s a proud moment for me to know I’m contributing towards athletics in Jamaica,” he underlined.