London , England — Jamaica’s Danniel Thomas-Dodd became the first Jamaican woman to reach the final of the shot put event, after finishing third in Group A with heave of 18.42 metres.

But her teammate Gleneve Grange was 15th in Group B with 15.96m and failed to advance to the final set for today at 2:25 pm.

The 23-year-old Thomas-Dodd, who is Jamaica’s national record holder, was 22nd in her first World Championship appearance in 2015 in Beijing with 16.62m, and has now created history with a guaranteed top-12 finish once making the final.

“I am feeling good. This is what my coach and I have prepared for all season. We went out there talking about staying relaxed, let the technique work and that’s what I did, and it has paid off,” said a beaming Thomas-Dodd.

“I am feeling good because when you compare it to the past two years, I am way farther than where I was, so therefore I am happy with the performance. But I am not going to beat myself up, because I have surpassed all the expectation I have set myself,” she noted.

Dodd opened with a foul attempt but her very next throw was a big one as she exulted upon her release and the iron ball sailed over the 18.30m automatic qualifying mark to 18.42m.

Anita Marton of Hungary took just one throw and heaved 18.76, while Raven Saunders of the USA finished second with 18.63m.

Dodd, who has a personal best of 19.15m, says she won’t be getting carried away about winning a medal despite entering the final with the fifth-best throw.

“I am not going to put a lot of pressure on myself. I am just going to maintain the focus and try to remain relaxed, and I am just going to go out there and have fun. I have surpassed the expectations that I have set for myself to the final, so I am just gonna go out there and have fun,” she reiterated.

But with the weather nipping pretty cold, the Kent State University student revealed she was just at home and actually wished it was colder.

“Oh no, I like it. I wish it was a little bit cooler actually inside the stadium because outside the stadium it’s cool and once you get inside the stadium it’s a little bit warmer. I am used to competing in cooler weather and it has worked for me in the past, so I wish it was a little cooler inside the stadium,” said Dodd with a wry smile.

Meanwhile, Grange was able to get in one legal throw, fouling her first and last efforts. She threw 15.96m and finished at the bottom of Group B and 29th overall.

China’s Lijia Gong won with 18.97m, which was the best of the day, with American Michelle Carter second with 18.92. Yuliya Leantsiuk of Belarus was third with 18.01m.