Champs 2018: Pinnock's promise

Wayne Pinnock, the freshly crowned Class One boys long jump champion, said that he will the deliver the eight metres effort he promised earlier this season, before he competes at the World Under 20 championships in July.

Pinnock, who jumped 7.99 metres two weeks ago, managed 7.77m yesterday to claim the Class One title at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Championships yesterday.

He was expected to break Leon Gordon's 25 year old Champs record of 7.87 metres.

"I am definitely looking forward to jumping eight metres, maybe even before World Juniors," Pinnock said shortly after winning the title. "Once the work is put in then anything is possible."

His 7.99m ranked him number one junior athlete in the world and his coach Jeremy Delisser believes that it should build his confidence going into the World Under 20 Championships.

"We are very happy with how he has been performing. It is a good confidence builder going into World Juniors. Hopefully he can better the 7.99m before world juniors," Delisser said.

The first year Class One athlete was overjoyed with his victory though.

"I am really happy that I won to give our team the points," Pinnock said.

Calabar's Alexander Thompson produced a personal best to finish second with 7.56 metres. Owayne Owens of Cornwall College grabbed the bronze medal with 7.24m.

Pinnock's teammate Shaquille Lowe finished fifth in the event.

"I hurt my hamstring in the prelims yesterday so I glad I was able to score for my team, Lowe said.