‘I’m feeling awesome’
Gayle happy, healthy ahead of 2025 World Champs bid
Published:Sunday | February 23, 2025 | 12:13 AMGregory Bryce - Staff Reporter
FORMER MEN’S long jump world champion Tajay Gayle is of the belief that, adding to his improved health, his mentality in a World Championship year leaves monumental possibilities open to him.
Gayle was the star of the show in the men’s long jump at the Gibson McCook Relays yesterday at the National Stadium, as not even an empty stomach could stop him from breaking the meet record.
His jump of 8.34 metres erased Nicholas Gordon’s previous record of 7.95 which was set in 2015.
Shawn-D Thompson finished second with a jump of 7.88 while Aubrey Allen took third with his best effort of 7.69.
“Honestly, I’m hungry because I haven’t eaten for about 24 hours. That’s my honest answer for you right now,” Gayle quipped after his record-breaking performance.
After fouling his first attempt, he registered a mark of 7.82 to move into first place and kept the top spot up until his sixth and final jump, leaping to 8.34 to claim gold.
Gayle explained he had encountered some issues with the timing of his warm ups so he had been cautious in his early attempts on the board.
“I didn’t really start pushing it until the last two jumps because of the warm-up schedule, I was never really sure about it,” he explained.
“So I kind of waited for a bit and I kind of just took my time for the first couple of jumps and then really attacked the last two jumps.”
“I started to feel the vibes so I said might as well I just try to get it and done,” he added.
PRODUCTIVE SEASON
The 2019 World Champion has been enjoying a productive season, breaking the eight-metre barrier in his first two appearances this year.
He registered a jump of 8.14 at the Tyson Invitational in the United States earlier this month before his mark at the Gibson Relays.
Gayle said he is feeling much better than he did last year as he looks forward to maintaining his strong start to the season.
“Honestly, I am way better than I was last year mentally. I never really needed the 8.34 to boost me mentally because in training, we’ve already realised that we can do that,” he said.
“I jumped last week but my coach wasn’t there so he needed me to at least do it as training today [yesterday].”
Despite his talent in the sand pit, Gayle has been plagued with injuries throughout his career, the most recent coming during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games which saw him placing 10th in the qualifying round.
Aware of his past disappointments, he said a major priority for this season has been to ensure he remains healthy.
“Health wise, I’m feeling awesome. I’ve gotten more rest these days and I’m getting older, not younger. My knee isn’t feeling bad at all. I’m just trying to stay healthy.”
Gayle stands as the second best long jumper in the world this year, only bettered by Italy’s Mattia Furlani’s world lead of 8.37.