LONDON, Great Britain — Jamaica’s long jumper Damar Forbes cannot wait to hit the ‘runway’.

He is tugging at the bit for some action, and that he will get today when he lines up in Group A seeking a spot in the final.

Forbes, 26, who was eighth at the Moscow World Championships in 2013, is quietly confident he can join James Beckford as only the second Jamaican on the podium.

Beckford twice earned silver in 1995 and 2003, was fourth in 1997 and sixth in 2007. The consistent Beckford, arguably Jamaica’s greatest long jumper, was also seventh in 2001.

Forbes has a big task if he hopes to follow in Beckford’s footsteps and an even bigger task beating a crack long jump field.

“Everything has been going good so far. I had some time to practise and I am just glad the way I am feeling right now,” Forbes told the Jamaica Observer.

“It’s only one expectation I have and that is the medal,” a confident Forbes noted after finishing his workout.

He added: “I am feeling good and there is no other reason why I shouldn’t feel as good as I am feeling. Barring injury, I am shooting for the skies,” he added.

But before Forbes can think about a medal, he will have to safely navigate his way to the final from a tough Group A involving the world leader Luvo Manyonga of South Africa, who leapt 8.65m. Then there is Maykel Masso of Cuba with 8.33m, the same as American Jarrion Lawson. South Africa’s Ruswahl Samaai, who jumped 8.49, and Bermuda’s Tyrone Smith with 8.34m, will all be in the reckoning.

With a qualifying standard of 8.05m, or at least the 12 best performances to advance to the final, Forbes, who has a season’s best of 8.29, should at least make the final.

“I have been eager for a while and I haven’t felt this excited for a while. I guess because I never really had time to prepare so I am a little anxious, but I am trying to keep it calm for now,” said Forbes.

Forbes, who was beaten into second at Jamaica’s Championship, will have Ramone Bailey as company, and he has welcomed the additional training partner to feed off and he loves the vibes.

“It’s pretty good. He understands the trials and tribulations of being a jumper and getting the right feel before you go into a competition. Sometimes you feel heavy and flat and that comes along with it. So he knows and sometimes we can talk about it amongst each other and figure out how we can help each other,” Forbes explained.