Discus disappointment
All three Jamaican discus throwers failed to make the final, following a poor display where between them they only registered two legal throws out of a possible nine here at the Olympic Stadium.
Competing in Group A, Tarasue Barnett failed to register a mark, fouling on all three attempts futhermore, she wasn’t listed in the group, as she finished bottom overall.
Barnett, 23, formerly of Edwin Allen High and now at Grand Canyon University, had entered the World Championships with a best of 61.66 metres.
“My first throw was a bit weak, but I went hard on my second and on my final throws. My throws were pretty good, but I kept hitting the ring, which is a technical foul,” she explained.
“Today was a good day for me; I just had a bad technical day,” she noted.
“I am not at all disappointed in my performance. I am happy because I am the one who went there and did it. I did try my best but had a few technical issues. I am happy that I got the opportunity to be here because I almost didn’t make the team. I am just happy I tried my best,” said Barnett.
Barnett believes with more exposure to top-quality competition she will do better.
“I just need to have more meets, preferably with these level of girls. I am currently in college, so I don’t get to perform at this level. So when I am done with school I will be a much sharper athlete,” she added.
The outstanding Sandra Perkovic of Croatia won the group with 69.67m ahead of Cuba star Denia Caballero with 63.79. Andressa De Morais of Brazil was third with 62.80m.
National champion Kellion Knibb missed her first two attempts, but registered 56.73m on her third attempt and was 11th. Having a personal best of 62.73m, Knibb basically could not explain her performance.
“I can’t just yet. I am still a little bit baffled, especially on my last throw. I thought it was a fairly good execution; I expected more than what happen. But that’s all I can do now is go back and look and see what I did wrong,” said Knibb.
“It’s disappointing; but what can I do? It’s the sport; just keep pushing forward and hopefully have a better season next year,” she said.
Incidentally, Knibb failed to post a valid throw last year at the Rio Olympics in Brazil, also in the qualifying round. She was sixth at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The 23-year-old Knibb, who attends Florida State University, will be off to the University Games in Chinese Taipei from August 19-30.
“Hopefully I will improve for that one,” she said.
Shadae Lawrence, who competed in Group B, placed ninth with a throw of 59.25m and was the highest placed Jamaican at 15th overall.
Cuba’s Yaime Perez won with 65.58m ahead of Dani Stevens of Australia with 65.56m. France’s Melina Robert-Michon was third with 63.97m.
—Howard Walker