Former record holder optimistic about Ja’s shot put future
Published:Tuesday | July 25, 2023 | 12:06 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
FORMER national shot put record holder O’Dayne Richards has hailed the exploits of compatriot and reigning national champion Rajindra Campbell who broke his six-year-old record last Saturday.
Competing at the Meeting de Madrid, Campbell threw 22.22 metres to erase Richards’ mark of 21.96m, which was set back in 2017. Richards says seeing his record erased makes him both sad and elated.
“It’s a bitter-sweet moment, I’m jealous and wishing that I could have done what he did. However, the majority of the emotion is that I’m proud of him. He has moved through the rankings and has become a 22 metres thrower,” he remarked.
Richards, who is a nine-time national champion, added that Campbell’s exploits could break new ground for more throwers in Jamaica as in recent times, he has seen throwers getting close to or over the 20m mark, which makes him optimistic about the country’s chances in the shot put.
“I think that Jamaica has very good throwers at the moment, and there’s also a few more talents that I’ve seen. I’m happy to see one of those guys push through and has broken a barrier, and I know this will inspire a lot more athletes. We have a few guys who are at or near the 20m barrier who could also progress to throw over 22m as well, so I’m optimistic,” he added.
Earlier this month at the JAAA/Puma National Senior and Junior Championships, Richards finished third behind the pair of Rajindra Campbell and Roje Stona as he produced a championship best throw of 18.42m, well below the World Championships automatic qualifying mark of 21.40m. In retrospect, Richards believes he ran out of steam, yet again, which has been plaguing him for some time now.
“I just ran out of gas, I’ve been trying to elevate my performances for the last couple years, but unsuccessfully so, and that’s all I can say on that,” Richards added.
The now 34-year-old is a former World Championships bronze medallist, a feat he achieved back in 2015. Richards believes that based on his recent performances and the age factor, he simply doesn’t feel there is a lot left in the tank for him.
“No, I don’t think so,” he remarked sharply..
Richards, who is also the 2018 Commonwealth Games champion, added that based on his recent performances, there could be the possibility of him announcing his retirement from the sport very soon.
“It’s inevitable as you can’t do this forever, so it’s coming,” he said.