Pottinger looking forward to long international career

RANKED AT 31st in the high jump going into the World Athletics Under-20 Championships, Brandon Pottinger was not favoured to be among the medals.

Pottinger, son of former Kingston College sprinter Marlon Pottinger, had a season’s best of 2.14 metres, done in June at the National Championship, but pulled off a major coup by winning gold for Jamaica, interestingly, jumping the same height for victory.

Born and raised in the United States, Pottinger chose to represent the country of his parentage and made the team on the first time of asking. To boot, the high jumper would go on to medal in his first major event.

“First, I must say I am elated to represent the country and to win a gold medal in my first appearance, the moment is surreal,” he said, boasting a broad smile.

“I really wanted to go higher as I aimed for 2.20 metres but due to the conditions out there, my legs got very cold and I just called it a day after two attempts,” he said.

“To be honest, my aim was to win a medal for my country of any colour, but getting the gold was unbelievable, and I hope this will be the start of greater things to come as I want to win more medals for the country to make my family and all Jamaicans proud,” said the World under-20 champion.

Dad, a sprinter, Pottinger had attempted a track career in the same vein, but life did not take him down the road he, at first, envisioned.

“I started off doing the 100 metres, but preparing for a high school championship, my coach told me to try the 800 metres and the high jump and I did well in the high jump. I got to love it and he (coach) told me to stick to it, and now the end result is a win at the highest level,” said the 18-year-old Pottinger, who will attend the University of Tennessee on a full track and field scholarship later this month.