Doha , Qatar — Fedrick Dacres advanced to the final of the men’s discus after winning Group A, but his teammates Chad Wright and Travis Smikle turned in clinkers and exited the competition at the first obstacle.

Dacres, who was first in action, threw 65.44m on his first attempt, which was just below the qualifying mark of 65.50m, but enough to top his group. His second attempt was 64.26m as he finished second to overall favourite Daniel Stahl, who won Group B with a throw of 67.88m.

Dacres, the reigning Sportsman-of-the Year, was not totally pleased with his overall performance, but believed he is in good enough shape to do something special.

“I think my series was a bit unstable; my first throw was a bit smooth, but I never really put much aggression in the throw and I fell back a bit which means I think I am in very good shape,” said Dacres.

“It’s about getting into the gear again because I have been relaxed for a while despite training and all to get into competition mode it takes a while. So, for me, I just need to get into the competition mode and get out there,” he noted.

“The ring was good, the conditions out there were very good so it just about me now than anything else,” he added.

Dacres finished seventh in 2015 and fourth in 2017.

“I think I can possibly medal. I will definitely try. I won’t say anything yet, but I want to do it this time, and I think I can,” reiterated Dacres.

Wright, who was also in Group A, started with 58.06m and was immediately under pressure, and even though he stepped up to 60.60m, he could only finish 12th and 26th overall.

“I am not too happy with my performance, but seeing that I had a small hamstring injury two days ago and I tried to soldier on today but through every throw it just kept getting worse and worse,” Wright revealed.

Smikle was in Group B and was eighth with 62.93m, some way below his personal best of 67.57m.

“My technique broke down completely. I am very disappointed, but it’s life, these things happen and I have to go back to the drawing board and try again.

“My execution at the last phase at the front was going off the ground too early. The main thing that threw me off there was something wrong at the front of my throws as the discus was going high in the air and flipping over, and I didn’t feel a proper pull on it. I am disappointed,” he stressed.

It was one of Smikle’s worst displays all season and he could not conceal his disbelief.

“Of all the places…I feel bad, but these things happen. For the whole season I have done reasonably well at all other competitions and I could not find it here,” he explained.

“Any athlete with ambition would be disappointed and I am full of ambition, so I am very disappointed.

“Next year is Olympics, so I have to get ready for that. The only thing I can say is even on your worst days you have to try and find a way to get to the final and fight for a medal, but that didn’t happen today, so such is life.”

— Howard Walker