OREGON, USA — Inspired by his teammate Michael Andre Edwards’ last-round heroics in the men’s triple jump final on Friday evening, world leader Joseph Salmon pulled off a similar nervy feat on Saturday to qualify for today’s men’s discus throw final on the final day of the World Athletics Under-20 Championships here at Hayward Field.

After two fouls and on the brink of failing to qualify, Salmon threw 62.10m on his final attempt in Group B, qualifying to join Kamari Kennedy who had qualified in the first group with 60.65m. Both surpassed the automatic qualifying mark of 60.50m.

Meanwhile, Jamaica will hope to defend both 4x100m relay titles today after qualifying on Saturday.

All four Jamaican relay teams, including the two 4x400m teams, advanced to their finals.

On Friday, Edwards pulled off a final-round miracle to win the men’s triple jump, and Salmon said although he was not expecting to need all three qualifying attempts, he was inspired by what he saw.

“I am really confident. What Michael did [Friday], he gave me a boost, gave me a boost, man so we’ll see. It’s going to be a show [Sunday],” he said after qualifying.

Salmon fouled his first two attempts, saying his technique was not the best, while his second attempt was ruled a foul for stepping over the board.

“In the third round I got everything together and just sent it out there,” he said, adding that he was not thinking about any particular distance but was simply focused on qualifying. “I am pleased to say I’m not really throwing at my full potential but just to get into the final.”

Kennedy was delighted with his third throw, which was over the qualifying mark.

“I was really happy. I’m glad that I got the qualifying mark and so now I can prepare for the finals,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Kennedy had failed to advance from the first round of the shot put earlier in the championships but said the discus qualification made up for that disappointment.

Strong legs from lead-off runner Kyle Bodden and anchor Sanjay Seymore helped the Jamaican men’s team win their heat of the 4x100m in 39.51 seconds.

Nyrone Wade, who was part of the team that won in Lima, Peru, two years ago, and Nathaniel Martin were also part of the team that beat Japan, which finished second in 39.65 seconds, and Hong Kong, which set a national Under-20 record of 39.66.

The women’s team of Samoya Brown, Theianna Lee Terrelonge, Natrece East and Renecia Edwards finished second in their heat in 43.61 seconds, behind Australia which ran a national Under-20 record 43.44. Nigeria was third in 43.65.

East told the Sunday Observer that the team was happy to advance to the final.

“I think we performed well. I mean, it’s the first three that advance to the finals so we did enough to make it to the finals. And, I feel like when we run in the finals we can do better,” she said.

East said they were going after medals and, while admitting the baton exchanges were good, hoped they could be better today.

“Yeah, I feel like they were good. I mean, there’s always room for improvement so in the final we have to make even better changes and we will be good.”

Earlier, the team of Daniellia Dixon, Kristen Herbert, Davine Dickenson and Shanika Lindsay finished third in the women’s 4x400m, qualifying in 3:35.93 behind Germany, which won in 3:34.35, and Slovenia, which ran a national Under-20 record 3:35.60.

The men’s team of Nishawn Walker, Jordan Rehedul, Jaeden Campbell and Jabulani McLeod also placed third in their semi-final heat in 3:06.44. The USA led with a World Under-20-leading 3:04.55 while South Africa was second in 3:05.08, with both teams being gold-medal prospects.

Sanjay Seymore (left), on Saturday, anchors Jamaica’s men’s 4x100m team to victory in their semi-final heat in 39.51 seconds to qualify for today’s final at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. At centre is Hong Kong’s Cheuk Fung Jasper Koo while at right is Australia’s Josiah John. (Photo: Paul A Reid)