Hickling crowns 2023 resurgence with PB and World Champs ticket
Published:Saturday | July 8, 2023 | 12:09 AM
Tissana Hickling had to endure a nervous wait but she ensured that she continues what she calls her best season with a trip to the World Championships.
Hickling won the national women’s long jump title in a personal best effort of 6.85m in the third round, an effort that also met the World Championship standard qualification mark. Chanice Porter was second in a wind-aided effort of 6.72m while NCAA collegiate outdoor champion Ackelia Smith was third in 6.66m.
The point of contention was if the third jump was legal, which Hickling queried, insisting that the mark was legal.
“They said there was an impression on the board which I didn’t really, really see. So I just wanted to get an understanding of the procedure and what was supposed to be done to get the distance measured,” Hickling said.
Her 2023 campaign for her has been night and day since last year when she struggled with an ankle injury that kept her back. Being under the direction of coach Kerry-Lee Ricketts and training with World Championship triple jump silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts, Hickling said it has been a boost to her both physically and mentally.
“Training with a world championship silver medallist has been really motivating for me because she has pushed me in training and then the vibes have been really positive,” Hickling said. “It has been going well and it was really to come out here and just execute all that I have done (in practice). Last year this time I was in eighth place with a lot of injuries, mentally and physically. So this year has been my best year because last year was a down year.”
Hicking will be in her first World Championships since 2019 in Doha, and she is focused on making improvements to her mechanics for her best season to continue.
“Mentally I am really good this year. So it is really to go back to training and do what I have to do,” Hickling said.