Thu | Jan 2, 2025

Delisser not surprised by ‘exceptional talent’ Hibbert

Published:Sunday | December 24, 2023 | 6:19 AMRaymond Graham - Gleaner Writer
Pause
Jeremy Delisser
Contributed
Jeremy Delisser
Triple jumper Jaydon Hibbert poses with his 2023 Bowerman Award after the US Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association Convention in Denver, Colorado on December 14.
AG Guest Guest
Triple jumper Jaydon Hibbert poses with his 2023 Bowerman Award after the US Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association Convention in Denver, Colorado on December 14.
1
2

JEREMY DELISSER, the man who jumpstarted the career of ace triple jumper Jaydon Hibbert, is proud but not surprised that his former charge copped the Bowerman Award for an outstanding first season at the University of Arkansas.

“I am feeling proud and happy to have had the opportunity to help develop him to where he is at today,” said Delisser, the man in charge of the jumps programme at Kingston College where Hibbert first came to prominence.

Hibbert is the youngest man to cop the Bowerman Award.

“I was not surprised about him winning that accolade so early because I knew of his exceptional talent and looking at the season he had, the multiple outstanding performances, it really was not a surprise,” said Delisser.

According to the coach, who say he stays in touch with his former athlete, after the disappointment at the Budapest World Championships, Hibbert would be very motivated for the upcoming season.

At the World Athletics Championships, Hibbert had gone into the final with a jump of 17.70 metres, cutting the sand with a single jump in the preliminary round, only to end up with a hamstring problem that put him out.

“He will be very motivated going forward. Even before talking to him after it happened, I knew it would motivate and drive him, which he confirmed in conversations after.”

Still, there is more to Hibbert’s motivation next season, explains Delisser.

“All he has accomplished is at the junior and collegiate levels. He has not done it at the highest level and it’s not just about a one-off performance, it’s about dominating,” said Delisser.

Delisser is waiting to see what flies in 2024, the coach knowing perfectly well each season brings with it, new challenges.

“It’s a new season even though you build on the one before. You still start from step one. Once he puts in the work and remains healthy, I expect him to build on last season and make Jamaica proud at the Paris Olympic Games,” said Delisser, who also guided the careers of Budapest long jump silver medallist, Wayne Pinnock and fourth-place finisher, Carey McLeod.