Salmon looks for more; ready for Under-20 Worlds
FOLLOWING an impressive and unprecedented series of throws in the Class 1 boys’ discus final, which included two record-breaking throws, Jamaica College star Joseph Salmon says he has his eyes set on the Under-20 World Championship.
Salmon’s 67.55m, which he registered on Thursday at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium, makes him the number eight-ranked athlete on the Jamaican all-time under-20 list as well as the national junior record holder.
“I’m leading. It makes me feel really accomplished to see that I’m not even close to where my potential [is]. I can do better, but I’m just leaving it to God and time,” said Salmon.
“Good things are going to happen going forward,” he added.
Standing at 6 feet, 6 inches, the 18-year-old Salmon threw over 60 metres on all his efforts during the competition, with the exception of one foul throw — a feat that had never been witnessed before at Champs.
He started his series with 66.33m then followed with 67.35m, which broke the 2011 Champs and national junior record of 66.88m. His next effort measured 65.18m, and this was followed by the lone stain in an otherwise perfect series, a foul on his fourth throw, before he roared back with his 67.55m effort, breaking the record again. He closed out his series with a 66.59m mark. All of his distances would have given him a gold medal.
Second place in the event went to Calabar’s Kamari Kennedy’s 60.84m, with Munro’s Rajeem Streete, 59.13m, taking third.
Salmon believes he has much more to give. and shared that continued improvements to his strength will deliver even greater results.
“I’m getting stronger day by day — so strength is always going to be there — but technique is what helps so far from my coach [Rajive Ford],” Salmon pointed out.
Salmon kick-started his season with a massive 66.32m in January, which was just below the Champs record of 66.88m, already sending signals.
However, at the Corporate Area Championship Salmon had a nightmarish performance, failing to hit the dizzying distances and throwing in a clinker. He would have had his doubters inside the National Stadium on Thursday but he proved his quality in no uncertain terms with the most impressive series of throws ever seen at Champs.
Salmon will forgo his last year at Champs as he will be leaving for the University of Nebraska.
“It’s coming good so far. Everything is going smoothly [with] college transition and stuff. I’m really looking forward to my college year as a freshman. I want to see what I really have and what I can really do up there,” said Salmon.
With JC leading and looking like champions, Salmon is looking forward to ending his Champs career as a champion.
“When we win this I’m going to be the loudest person out there,” he noted.