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OregonGoldRush | Debutant Pinnock makes long jump final, World champion Gayle out

Published:Friday | July 15, 2022 | 11:02 PM
Jamaica's Wayne Pinnock gets his first jump in on the way to qualifying for his first World Athletics Championships final inside Hayward Field in Eugene Oregon this evening.
Gladstone Taylor
Jamaica's Wayne Pinnock gets his first jump in on the way to qualifying for his first World Athletics Championships final inside Hayward Field in Eugene Oregon this evening.

World Athletics Championships debutant, Wayne Pinnock, is through to the final of the men’s long jump, even as compatriot and defending champion Tajay Gayle failed to make a mark inside the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Pinnock, jumping in Group A, finished seventh with 7.98 metres to qualify in ninth place overall.

Gayle, who went in Group B, was a surprise entrant after a knee injury had appeared not to have healed sufficiently for him to be at 100 per cent.

“It was a miracle for me to be out here running somewhat over 50%. Yesterday I wasn't able to run at all. As I took one step my knee started burning. I'm not sure what happened to make me able to compete today but I am very grateful to be up here," said Gayle.

In the meantime, Japan’s Yuki Hashioka jumped the furthest in qualification, cutting the sand 8.18 metres away from the board, while the United States’s Marquis Dendy was out to 8.16 metres.

The two were the only jumpers past the 8.15 qualification mark.

The long jump final takes place tomorrow at 8:20 p.m.

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