Dacres knows only a new PB will be good enough

Fedrick Dacres knows what it takes to win, having just last year written his name in Jamaica's history books after becoming the first-ever Jamaican to win a discus gold medal at an IAAF athletics championship.

The feat was achieved at the IAAF World Youth Championships held in Lille, France, where he threw a world-leading 67.05 metres on his final attempt, after leading from start to finish, capturing gold.

The 18-year-old expects a bigger challenge this time around as he steps up to the world junior stage. He is also not the world leader going into this championship to be staged in Spain from July 10-15, and in fact has only the seventh-best throw so far this year.

season best

His season best and personal best (PB) of 61.55 metres was achieved during last month's junior trials.

"I feel the competition will be hotter this year, because I am not leading the world this time, so I will have to put out more to win. Hopefully, I will win on the day," Dacres said. "I would like to beat my personal best at World Juniors, because for me to medal I have to beat that, so that is what is on mind," he added.

He is, however, not perturbed by the fact that other athletes have thrown further than he has this season, and believes it all comes down to who executes better on the day.

"I am ready for anything," Dacres declared. "I feel I compete better under pressure and I can get my big throws under pressure, so I am somewhat confident," he added.

The Calabar High School student is pleased with the progress he has made in training, thanks to his coach Julian Robinson.

"In the early part of the season my technique fell off and I wasn't getting the distances that I wanted, so I got frustrated, but my coach, Mr Robinson, spoke to me and told me that it will come eventually," Dacres said.

"Preparations have gone well; we are working on something new and, hopefully, we can get something good at World Juniors," he added.

ryon.jones@gleanerjm.com