Smith promises to give her best in triple jump

BUDAPEST, Hungary:

Jamaica’s Ackelia Smith is determined to let the huge frustration of a dramatic long jump final fuel her drive for a medal in the World Championships women’s triple jump, which begins on Wednesday.

Smith, still just 21 yet world leader going into the Budapest final, was called for a foul on her third jump, and having watched the replay, was visibly upset by the ruling, which rocked her composure for the rest of the competition.

“I saw the video and really believe that I did not touch it,” claimed a still distraught Jamaican immediately afterwards.

“From what I saw on the video, I was really close to the edge of the board, but it was not a foul, so I made a verbal protest and they allowed me to do the last three jumps.

“It’s been a great competition, but for the last three jumps I had to go first, which, mentally, I wasn’t prepared for.”

The University of Texas student, in her second World Championships but first long jump final, let a cheeky smile replace her previous look of disappointment as she added:

“I’m definitely more hungry to get something out of the triple (jump), and I’ll go out and give it my best whilst trying to stay away from the board.

“I’m still really excited and ready to jump again. Competing at this level it’s a major thing to make the final, but I wanted to make it into the top eight this time.”

The competition was won by Serbian Ivana Vuleta with a best leap of 7.17 metres, set in the fifth round, which added salt to Smith’s wounds by becoming a new world-leading mark, a mere nine centimetres ahead of her season’s best 7.08m set in Oklahoma, USA, on May 13.

Smith was finally placed 11th with a second-round 6.49m and applauded the now 33-year old Vuleta, the twice World Indoor and twice European Champion.

“She is amazing. She’s consistent, and we push each other on,” concluded Smith.

“This is what we do – higher, faster, stronger – and I’m glad she got a gold medal out of it.

“I’ll try to finish the season well and then get ready for next year and Paris (the Olympics).”

Triple jump qualification on Wednesday leads to a medal-deciding final 48 hours later.