Jamaica’s World Championships long jump silver medallist Wayne Pinnock is gearing up for an intense track and field season and, according to his coach, Travis Geopfert, his focus and determination have reached new heights in 2024.

The 23-year-old Pinnock, who is based at the University of Arkansas in the United States, secured a silver medal in the men’s long jump competition at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. He produced a personal best mark of 8.54m in the qualifying round of the World Championships and 8.50m in the final. The final was won by Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece, who leapt 8.52m, taking home the gold medal ahead of Pinnock.

Geopfert told the
Jamaica Observer that Pinnock’s dedication last year was exceptional, but this season, he will be raising the bar.

“There is no doubt that last year he was focused, because he had a fantastic year. But he has taken it to an absolute new level this year,” he said. “It is just the details in what he is doing: he is taking care of his body on and off the track. The nutrition, the sleep, the stability work, you name it, and we are working with our physio, we are working with our strength coach,” Geopfert explained.

The vastly experienced coach emphasises the meticulous attention Pinnock is giving to every aspect of his training, stating that his charge is leaving no stone unturned this year.

“Obviously, we are doing the work on the track, and his dedication to his craft is like I have never seen before. So, I am excited about what is to come for him this year. He is an excellent competitor, and I am excited to see what the competition brings out in him,” Geopfert explained.

“I think every competitor wants to improve on what they did before, and I think for Wayne, I know that is his goal. He is going to execute, and the distances come from competition, and there are some amazing competitions right here in his home country,” he added.

Reflecting on the outstanding performances of athletes like Wayne, Tajay Gayle, and Carey McLeod in the long jump last year, Geopfert, who is the coach of the latter along with Jamaica’s national triple men’s champion Jaydon Hibbert, pointed out that he is anticipating fierce competition to drive the athletes.

“What Wayne did last year was phenomenal, what Tajay Gayle did last year was phenomenal and what Carey McLeod did last year was also phenomenal. And if you look at those three guys in particular, and others in the long jump, they are all going to push each other … this season,” he said.