TOKYO, Japan — Chad Wright left the World Athletics Championships disappointed, after failing to advance to the men’s discus final, but the 34-year-old is already charting a bold path that he hopes will see him qualify for both the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games — not only as a discus thrower but also as a weightlifter.

Looking back at his performance in Tokyo which saw him manage a 62.87m effort — far from enough to get him into the final — Wright says while he was hoping to produce better on the day, it is in line with what his season has produced.

“Not what I wanted but the marks were consistent with what I have been throwing all season, so seeing those marks is no surprise. I just wanted more and I believed I could have given more. It just didn’t come today,” Wright admitted. “I have been here before; I know what it feels like to make a final. It’s just sad that I didn’t make it this time around.”

Still, he has already shifted his focus. With the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the 2028 Olympics on his mind, Wright is preparing for a unique sporting double that few Jamaican athletes have ever attempted — competing at the highest levels in two vastly different sports.

“I know next year is Commonwealth, so that is something I look forward to making and hopefully place in the top three and take it from there,” Wright said. “I have all intentions to go for both [discus and weightlifting]. Once the schedule lines up, I will be doing both.”

Wright, who has been weightlifting competitively for the past two years, is already mapping out his qualifying route. He has two important meets lined up before the end of 2025, one in October and another in December, the latter providing him with the chance to qualify for the Central American and Caribbean Games. Another qualifier in March could seal his spot at the Commonwealth Games in weightlifting’s 110kg division.

“I got involved because I have been a fan of weightlifting since high school. I have loved the sport, it’s a part of my training regime right now for throwing, and so far it has not hindered me from throwing better — it has actually helped,” Wright shared. “It has been an amazing experience.”

His Olympic dreams now stretch beyond the throwing circle. Wright holds lofty ambitions to break into the world’s top 10 in both events by the time the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics comes around.

“I would say the 2028 Olympics, making that top 10 to compete for weightlifting and for throwing [is the goal],” Wright said, noting that he remains motivated despite his recent disappointment. “I am pretty excited because I can take out some of my frustration of not making the final here, out there.”

Chad Wright in action during the preliminary round of the men’s discus throw at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)