It took just one jump for Wayne Pinnock to claim his first national title in the men’s long jump at the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association National Senior and Junior Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on Saturday night.

The Tennessee University athlete jumped a personal best 8.14m on his first attempt, before retiring due to an ankle injury he sustained on landing.

Pinnock has had to battle injuries from as far back as the indoor collegiate season and says his faith in God is what pulled him through a tumultuous campaign.

“First, I want to give thanks to God, because only He knows what I have been through all season. My first race indoor was the 60m and I got a new personal best and after the semi-finals I got hurt and I was out for two weeks,” he said.

“Every month I got hurt but I put my trust in God and He delivered; so it’s a forever blessing,” Pinnock continued.

He was happy and thankful to achieve a personal best and dedicated the performance to his baby daughter.

“Coming out here to get 8.14m on my first jump is pretty good and I am grateful. I did it for her. The only thing in my mind was, Zahara, I am going to do it for you – and I did it, took one jump.”

Pinnock explained that he had been unable to prepare of the National Championships after the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

“After Nationals I strained my hamstring and I couldn’t do anything really, just lifting (weights). I was worrying because I wasn’t feeling right. My hamstring was hurting, but it’s only God.”

The former Kingston College standout believes that had he not got hurt on his first jump that he would have been able to secure automatic qualification to the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, given the qualifying standard is 8.22m.

“If I had got all my jumps, I would definitely have got the world qualifying standard, but things happen, and we just have to go back to the drawing board.”

Based on his current world ranking Pinnock is still in with a shot of making it to the World Championships and may also be in contention for a place on the team to the Commonwealth Games.

“My first World Championships, that would be so good, words can’t even explain. I had a long season, and my plan was just to shut down the season, but if it works out that I make the team, then I’m going.

But he is prepared to go on vacation if it doesn’t work out.

“If it doesn’t work out, I will shut down the season and try and recover and come back next season and see what will happen.”

Pinnock was the only athlete to jump over the 8-metre mark on Saturday as the reigning World Champion Tajay Gayle struggled with a knee injury and only managed to get 7.97m.

— Dwayne Richards