BEIJING, China — After becoming Jamaica’s first discus thrower to make the final at the World Championships, Fedrick Dacres could not disguise his disappointment in not achieving his optimum here.

“I felt good that I made the final. Coming out here as the youngest, it’s a learning experience. I came out here and gave of my all on the day. I probably could have done more, but it never worked out,” Dacres said.

The Jamaican was the first person to qualify for the final with a throw of 65.77m to top Group A, but could not repeat that performance after heading into the final with the longest throw.

Dacres started with 64.22m and failed to improve on it, ending in seventh spot. After the first attempt, Dacres was third behind eventual winner Piotr Malawchoski (65.09) and Gerd Kanter (64.82) of Estonia. Malawchoski would improve on his second attempt to a winning 67.40m.

“I guess this answers the question. I am not a championship thrower as yet. I have time, so hopefully I will build on that,” said Dacres, after watching Jamaica strike gold in the men’s 4x100m.

Dacres, who opened with 64.22m, continued to slip with his throws and dropped to seventh with efforts of 59.80 (foul), 62.74, 61.73, and fouled on his last attempt.

“Through the rounds I got tired and it just never worked out in my favour. I am very disappointed, but I can’t really be down on myself because it’s my first World Championships, although I expected more,” he pointed out.

“What came third was not really much of a task for me to beat, but obviously I never beat it because I wasn’t ready on the day. It is what it is,” said Dacres.

“Obviously, I need to get stronger because these guys are way ahead of me,” he revealed.

However, Dacres is already looking forward to next year when he gets another crack at glory in the Rio Olympics in Brazil.

— Howard Walker