Clunis believes big one is coming
Published:Monday | July 10, 2023 | 12:15 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
On the brink of a massive step for the hammer throw in Jamaica, national champion Nayoka Clunis believes that the automatic qualifying standard is coming and this will be a reward for her given the difficult season.
Clunis won her fourth title yesterday at the JAAA National Senior and Junior Championships at the National Stadium with a mark of 70.17 metres giving her World Championships qualification hopes a major boost. While she has not yet achieved the automatic qualifying standard of 73.60m, she is currently in the top-36 in the world this year and in the running for a world championship berth.
It is the fourth time that Clunis has thrown 70m this season and in a season where she has had to balance challenges both on and off the field, the hemmer thrower believes that she is close to getting the World Championships berth she wants.
“The aim is automatic qualification. This year has been a lot because of injuries, coming off injuries, financial, emotional, mental, and everything that I have been dealing with on my own,” Clunis said. “With a little help, I hope to get things moving a little bit smoother, especially next season.”
Clunis landed a personal best effort this season of 71.13m last month, the final meet before the national championship and for her, getting another 70m mark, although she was the only competitor, provides the platform for her to get even better when she is pushed.
“Because of the timing in between throws, two minutes is not a long time to recover from throws especially because the hammer throw is a rhythmic event. You want to be under your legs. Today wasn’t my day. After my first throw, you could see that exhaustion took over but that’s fine. I was glad to get 70m today and I am appreciative of that,” Clunis said.
With both her and her countrywoman Erica Belvit gunning to fly Jamaica’s flag in the event in Budapest, Clunis said she hopes they will be able to achieve a landmark moment for the discipline in Jamaica.
“It would be really good. Because Erica and I have been doing really good work. It is good to see that we are in a really good position leading up to the World Championships. This is a lot. This is a good stepping stone,” Clunis said.
“I am one step closer, just 2.43m away. I know the big one is coming. I just have to be patient with myself, knowing that it is a long season. I have been through a lot. It’s good to come out here and compete by myself and know that I can still get 70m. A little bit of competition brings out my best as you can see throughout the season.”