Traves Smikle's impressive start to the season, marked by two throws over 67 metres, has left the Jamaican discus thrower optimistic and determined for the challenges ahead. The culmination of his offseason efforts was evident in his stellar performance at the GC Foster Classic on Saturday, March 9, where he achieved a season-best mark of 67.83m. His winning mark, which follows on his 67.57m effort in February, was well clear ahead of his former Calabar High School teammates Chad Wright, who threw a season's best 64.77m and Fedrick Dacres, who was third with a throw of 64.37m.
Reflecting on his current form, Smikle acknowledged the significance of consistent training and conditioning during the offseason. "I wouldn't say this is the most consistent I have been because I have had seasons where I have thrown over 67m twice," he remarked. "My mission for this season, however, is to go to every meet and be as competitive as I was for the last two meets."
His focus on maintaining competitiveness throughout the season stems from the groundwork laid during the offseason. Smikle emphasized the importance of embracing changes to improve technique and conditioning during the preparatory period. "One of the keys to being competitive and being over a certain mark during the season is embracing the changes you have to make to improve your technique," he explained. "The offseason is very important. Most times what you do in the offseason can set the tone for what you’re going to do in the season."
Smikle's commitment to offseason work with his coach Julian Robinson, has positioned him well for success this year. He expressed confidence in his ability to consistently surpass the 67m mark, attributing it to the meticulous planning and preparation undertaken during the offseason. "I am more confident this year that I can be a regular 67m and over thrower," Smikle declared.
As the season progresses, Smikle remains focused on refining his technique and conditioning. Aware that the season is still young, he emphasized the need to approach each competition strategically. "Right now I am still working on my technique and certain aspects of my conditioning," he said. "The season is very young, and I just have to take everything in stride and ensure that I plan properly so that when the target meets come around, I will be able to do what I did on the weekend."
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Excelsior leads Jamaican 1-2-3 in Championship of America High School Boys 4x100m at Penn Relays
Excelsior High emerged victorious in the Championship of America High School Boys 4x100m on the third and final day at the 128th Penn Relays at Franklin Field in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Their quartet of Ryeem Walker, Damor Miller, Malike Nugent and Lennon Green combined to run 40.45 to secure the school’s first win in the event since 1967.
Kingston College (Daniel Clarke, Yourie Lawrence-Clarke, Nyrone Wade, Marcinho Rose) were second in 40.53 and Herbert Morrison (Ky-Mani Hemmings, Tavaine Stewart, Chance Segree, De Andre Daley) completed a Jamaican 1-2-3 with 40.56 in third.
Smith produces season’s best to win long jump at Texas Invitational
Texas junior Ackelia Smith produced an NCAA leading performance to take top spot on day one of the Texas Invitational at the Mike A. Myers Stadium on Friday.
The 22-year-old reigning NCAA champion produced a season’s best 7.10m, her first jump over 7m this season, to win ahead of Trinidadian Puma athlete Tyra Gittens (6.72m) and UTSA’s Ida Breigan (6.65m).
This is a welcome return to form for Smith who suffered a torn hamstring at the NCAA Indoor Championships in early March.
Smith was Jamaica’s national champion in the long jump in 2022 and was a finalist in both the long and triple jump at that year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Paulino extends 400m winning streak to seven in Shanghai
Dom Rep’s Marileidy Paulino followed up her triumph at the season’s Diamond League opener in Xiamen last week with another victory at the Shanghai Diamond League on Saturday.
The reigning World champion produced 50.89 to win ahead of American Talitha Diggs who ran 51.77 and Bajan two-time World Championship bronze medallist Sada Williams who ran 52.00 in third.
Paulino’s winning streak in the 400m has now stretched to seven races.
It was déjà vu in the women’s 100m hurdles as reigning Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho Quinn just pipped World Indoor 60m hurdles champion and world record holder Devynne Charlton on the line, just as it played out in Xiamen last week.
Camacho-Quinn ran 12.63 compered to Charlton’s 12.64. Two-time World champion Danielle Williams was third in 12.74.
The men’s 110m hurdles saw American Daniel Roberts get his second win in a row to kick off the Diamond League season. His winning time was 13.12, comfortably ahead of Japan’s Shunsuke Izumiya (13.23) and Olympic champion Hansle Parchment’s season’s best 13.26.
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