Wright looking to hurl field events into the spotlight

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

With the exploits of our many sprinters in recent years, Jamaica has taken on the enviable title as the world's 'sprint factory'.

This has, in a sense, resulted in not much mention or emphasis been placed on field events here. However, Calabar High School's Chad Wright, by way of performances, is playing his role in generating more attention for his discipline.

"Most times they put field events on the back burner because they see Jamaica as the 'sprint factory', but now they are starting to look at us and I am glad that I broke the national (junior) record and I won to let them view field events more and give us more attention," said Wright.

He further believes that training for field events is more rigid that track events as they are doing something which does not come naturally.

"It is more rigid because from we were born we were running so we are basically training to do something we do naturally, unlike field events where we are doing something unnatural, so it takes a lot of discipline and focus."

junior record-holder

The 19-year-old broke the national junior record in the discus at the recently concluded Carifta Games in the Cayman Islands.

Wright won the event with a throw of 63.11m to eclipse the Carifta record, which was previously held by Quincy Wilson of Trinidad and Tobago (55.67m). Interestingly, Wright had established the mark last year.

Wilson (62.95m) finished second on this occasion, while Jamaica's Travis Smikle (58.24m) took the bronze. The national junior record was set back in 2005 by Steve Hammond (51.32 m).

"I am happy, very happy," said Wright. "I did what my coach told me I should do; I stuck to my technique very well and I came out on top for the discus, so I am glad," he added.

Wright also took bronze in the Under-20 boys' shot put with a throw of 18.19m.

Wilson won the gold medal with a new Carifta record mark, 18.67m.

Just a week before the Carifta Games, Wright had taken the double at Champs. He won the Class One discus with a record throw of 58.86m and took the shot put with a mark of 18.22m.

This was Wright's second time performing as Carifta. He took the bronze medal in the discus last year. but failed to medal in the shot put.

He will immediately go back into training as he prepares for the CAC Games and World Junior Championships, which will both get underway in July this year.

Wright is also looking to represent Jamaica at the highest level.

"My goals going forward are to make it to the Olympics and make it into the world rankings, in the top five hopefully."