Athletics-McLeod secures spot at Paris Olympics with Jamaica long jump title

"The distance opened my eyes a little bit more as I wasn't expecting to jump that far," he said. "I will now go back to the drawing board and keep working because the job is never done until we get what we need at the Olympics." Wayne Pinnock, who won silver at the last world championships, came second with a mark of 8.27m. Twice women's triple jump world championship silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts leapt 14.5m to win her sixth national title and qualify for her third straight Olympics.

World Indoor long jump bronze medallist Carey McLeod booked his ticket to the Paris Olympics on Saturday with an 8.38 metre jump on the penultimate day of the Jamaica National Senior and Junior Championships to win his first national title in Jamaica.

McLeod, who was surprised by his winning mark, told Reuters it confirmed that his preparations to challenge for a medal at the Olympics were on target. "The distance opened my eyes a little bit more as I wasn't expecting to jump that far," he said.

"I will now go back to the drawing board and keep working because the job is never done until we get what we need at the Olympics." Wayne Pinnock, who won silver at the last world championships, came second with a mark of 8.27m.

Twice women's triple jump world championship silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts leapt 14.5m to win her sixth national title and qualify for her third straight Olympics. Ricketts was not satisfied with her winning distance, but said she still had time to improve.

"Sometimes competitions aren't necessarily a true indication of where we are in the preparation because many times I have jumps that are close to 15 metres, but they either fouled or I might be behind the board," Ricketts said. "It's just about getting the right jump in the right conditions and I think it's important to peak at the right time as well."

Ackelia Smith, who won the long jump title with a 6.53m effort on Thursday, returned to place second in the triple jump with a leap of 14.44m. Ricketts, who missed out on bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, said she was hungry for success in Paris.

"I think once I win an Olympic medal in Paris, that will be the icing on the cake in terms of what I've accomplished in my career," she added. "That's what I'm targeting because that's the only medal I haven't received."

Danniel Thomas-Dodd, the 2019 World Championship shot put silver medallist, threw a season best 19.32m to win her ninth national title and secure qualification to her third straight Olympics. Thomas-Dodd said she her target was to make her first final at the Olympics.

"That is the number one aim to make sure that I make it into the final to give myself a fair chance to challenge for a medal," she said, adding that she would target a career best of 20m to challenge for a medal. Traves Smikle threw 67.08m to win the men's discus ahead of Roje Stona and Ralford Mullings.

Reigning Olympic sprint hurdles gold medallist Hansle Parchment stayed on course to return to the Olympics to defend his title, after posting 13.42 seconds to win semi-final one and easily advance to Sunday's final. Commonwealth Games Champion Rasheed Broadbell, 2016 Olympic Champion Omar McLeod, and Orlando Bennett also reached the final.

Budapest World Championships finalist Ackera Nugent was the fastest women's qualifier, running a season best 12.46 seconds to reach the 100m hurdles final.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)