Joseph Salmon aims to dominate throws
Jamaica College’s (JC) JOSEPH Salmon, who smashed the Class One discus record at the PureWater/R Danny Williams/JC meet but finished way down the field in the shot put on Saturday, has put his competitors on alert that he will soon sort things out and will be dominating both events.
Salmon, the most promising discus thrower in high school, hurled the discus to a record 66.32m, well above the previous mark of 61.55m.
He could only finish 10th in the shot put event, though, with a throw of 15.02m, but he told the
Jamaica Observer that will change real soon.
“I haven’t found my rhythm in shot put as yet but as soon as I start fitting the small pieces together, there is going to be trouble,” Salmon said.
Salmon’s 66.32m throw is just outside the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) discus record of 66.88m, held by Travis Smikle since 2011 and which is now under threat.
Salmon won the Class One discus at Champs in 2025 with a throw of 62.14m, and he is already way above that mark.
“The current form that I am in, I am confident that I can challenge that record — but it all matters on the day,” he said.
“To be honest, I did not expect to throw 66m this early. I was just listening to my coach [Rajive Ford] and being as technical as possible.”
Salmon made the Jamaica Under-23 team last year but was not selected, having been told he was too young after throwing 57m, and was replaced by a 55m thrower.
Salmon, who looks up to Jamaica’s Ralford Mullings and Daniel Stahl of Sweden, now has his eyes set on the World Junior Championships to be held in Oregon, USA, this August.
“My goal for this season is to reach my full potential and to completely dominate,” he added.
As for his school’s chances at regaining the Champs title they last won in 2021, Salmon says they have what it takes to dethrone champions Kingston College.
“We can definitely win this year with new coaching staff and with hard-working teammates,” he said. “I don’t see what can stop us.”
