Lucky Windies escape with World Cup spot.
KC’s Pinnock dedicates gold medal to deceased mother
KINGSTON COLLEGE’S (KC) Wayne Pinnock yesterday dedicated his gold medalwinning performance in the boys’ Class One long jump final at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships to his mother, who passed away five years ago.
The 17-year-old Pinnock was very emotional after outclassing his rivals to win the event with a mark of 7.77m at the National Stadium last evening.
“I have to definitely dedicate this to her because I knew that I had to do it for her,” said the soft-spoken Pinnock. “I know that she is not here, but I had to just do it for her, and so I am happy about that.”
Pinnock added that he was happy for the victory but was not pleased with his winning mark.
“I am a bit disappointed because I was expecting to do something much better than that, but I must say, it is my first year in Class One, and I won the gold medal, so I am feeling happy about that,” Pinnock added.
Pinnock’s father, Wendell, who was in the stands to witness his son’s performance, said he was delighted with his achievement.
“I am feeling proud of him because I always tell him that this is the year that you are going to get the gold medal,” said Wendell.
“His mother died years ago, and so it is just me and him, and so he went out and did it for her, and I am very happy about that, and I am very proud of him,” he said.
Kai Chang will be looking to extend defending champions Calabar’s lead on today’s third day of the championships when he competes in the final of the boys’ Class One discus event.
FLYING START
The Red Hills Road-based team got off to flying start when they won gold and silver in the boys’ Class Two long jump.
Lamar Reid took home the gold medal with a leap of 7.23m ahead of his teammate Jordian Turner, who also leapt 7.23m. However, Reid was crowned champion based on his impeccable scorecard.
After two finals, Calabar lead the standings with 25 points, ahead of KC – 17; St Jago – 9; Wolmer’s Boys – 8; Cornwall College – 6; Jamaica College – 5; and Excelsior 4.
Chang is in excellent form going into today’s final, having defeated the defending champion and preseason favourite Roje Stona of St Jago in the event at the Carifta Trials recently.
Chang, who was transferred from Titchfield High, finished eighth in last year’s final but will enter the medal round with the secondbest throw of 56.04m.
The power fully built Stona, who has thrown over 60m twice this season, qualified for the final with a best mark of 56.04m.
TAYLOR EYES BOLT’S RECORD
Calabar ’s star athlete and captain, Christopher Taylor, will continue his quest to break Usain Bolt’s Class One 200m record when he competes in today’s semi-finals.
Taylor has opted not to defend his 400m title as he is focusing his energy on going below the 20.25 seconds mark set by world record holder Bolt in 2003.
The 18-year-old Taylor, who has a season’s best of 20.36 seconds, qualified for today’s semi-finals after winning Heat One on Tuesday in 21.61 seconds.
Calabar’s Javon-Taye Williams leads all qualifiers into tomorrow’s final of the boys’ Class One 1500m.
Williams clocked the fastest time of 4:04.85 seconds in winning the heat comfortably ahead of Davian Gray from Spaldings, who clocked 4:04.99 seconds.