#WorldChamps2023: Campbell confident ahead of shot put finals
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Jamaican national shot put record holder Rajindra Campbell believes anything is possible as he looks forward to competing in the event’s final on Saturday afternoon.
Campbell will contest the shot put final during the second session on the opening day of the 19th World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary after qualifying 10th with a throw of 20.83m.
Early morning rain – which forced a near two hours delay to the start of the championships – also affected Campbell’s preparation, he said afterwards.
“I didn’t get to go through the complete warm-up. The rain was falling and we didn’t get to run back because of the lightning and all that so I came out there and tried to force it,” he told reporters afterwards. “The ring was also very slick but it got better as the competition went on.”
Campbell, who threw a national record 22.22m at a meet in Madrid, Spain last month, was 19th after his first throw of 19.83m. He fouled his second attempt before pulling out all the stops for the third throw.
But, there are no celebrations yet he said, despite his biggest accomplishment to date.
“Ah, honestly right now, I don’t want to start to get into that right now… it’s not over you know, can’t rejoice until the job is done.”
Campbell said he was heading back to the team hotel where he would get some rest and a meal but expressed his confidence heading to the medal round.
“I’m confident in myself and I believe when it is necessary I can put something together, so I showed that today I was able to pull it out on the last one which is something I have been consistent in doing all season. I don’t break so anything is possible.”
– Paul A Reid