‘Smiling regardless’
Clunis proud of World Champs performance considering many setbacks
Published:Wednesday | September 17, 2025 | 12:17 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
JAMAICAN HAMMER thrower Nayoka Clunis says she is proud of her performance at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships, especially in light of the setbacks she had to fight through to get there.
Clunis competed in the women’s hammer throw on day two of the championship but failed to advance to the final 12 after her best effort of 68.24 metres fell short of the mark.
Of course, she was still disappointed not to have advanced to the final of the event.
Clunis became the first Jamaican woman to compete in the event at the 2023 World Championships, and added to her milestone with a second consecutive appearance.
“I’m super grateful for the opportunity to compete and to represent my country once more,” Clunis said.
“I’m the first but there are a lot more to come and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be the flag-bearer of the event, moving forward and creating history every time I step on the track.”
Clunis’ journey to the World Championships has been one of injuries, setbacks and, ultimately, resilience.
Dating back to November last year, Clunis’ training has been consistently hampered by a string of injuries and misfortune.
“I started the season out great,” she said. “I started training in October and then, in the nitty-gritty of fall training, I dislocated my shoulder twice in November and then I dealt with plantar fasciitis where I couldn’t walk for like four to six weeks.
“I came back from that and, as soon as training started going well again, I met in a car accident. Someone rear-ended me and, because of my prior car accidents and concussion, I had to be on two weeks, no training or anything.”
She continued, “I then came back in March and I thought I was gonna have a great year and then, in April, I strained my left abductor and then, in May, I strained my left quad.
“In June, my abductor started to aggravate again and, in July, I sprained my wrist. So this entire year has been recovering from injuries and injuries and injuries and trying to stay as healthy as possible.”
Her preparation was further hampered as she explained she has been without a consistent coach since June.
Despite the constant setbacks, Clunis said she was determined to compete at the World Championships, a goal she has now accomplished.
“August has been my healthiest month and, to get to September and not being able to do what I started out the season doing despite having injuries, I’m kind of disappointed, but I can’t be mad because this year has been a trying year.”
She added, “I’m just grateful for the opportunity to finish the season as healthy as I can.”
Known for her smiles and positive energy on and off the field, Clunis explained while she is disappointed to have missed out on the final, she will not dwell on the missed opportunity, but will continue to smile in acknowledgement of her successes.
“I don’t take a bad day like this to heart,” she explained.
“Yes, I’m going to cry about it for five minutes, but then you have to understand that, even though the year has been tough, to come out here and to be competing on the world stage and to do what I do and still be able to get 68 metres, it’s a good feeling.
“I was expecting like huge numbers but, again, I have to just be grateful for the opportunity to come out here and compete well, injury-free, and to walk away, not smiling as broad as I would like, but smiling regardless.”