Following her win in the triple jump at the recent Racers Grand Prix at the National Stadium, Shanieka Ricketts wants more, targeting another podium finish at the upcoming World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Ricketts secured the win on home soil in less than ideal conditions with a best jump of 14.32 metres, just outside her season's best of 14.53 metres set at the Rabat Diamond League meeting last month.
Her performances, she said, show that she is ahead in her preparation in comparison to last year.
"Training has been going great so far. I had a season's best in Rabat, so I'm ahead of where I was last year, so that tells you where I'm at in terms of preparation for the World Championships. I'm just hoping to build on that and to be at my best at the World Championships," Ricketts told the Jamaica Observer.
Against this background, the multiple national champion, who has a personal best mark of 14.98 metres, noted that while she can bank on her preparation for a medal, consistency throughout the season is critical.
"I think the key is to be consistent. Once I'm jumping over 14.8, 14.9 metres consistently, I should be in medal contention and that is always the aim going into the World Championships or any major competition," she said.
Ricketts won her first global medal at the 2019 Doha World Championships and added another silver medal to her collection at last year's staging of the competition in Eugene, Oregon.
However, before contending for a podium spot in Budapest, she will face fierce opposition from her compatriots Kimberley Williams and Ackeria Smith at the JAAA/PUMA National Junior and Senior Championships next month.
Two competitors, she admits, who are no pushovers.
"Definitely, I don't think it's a walk over. I don't consider Kimberly Williams to be a walk over or Ackelia Smith because they are both worthy competitors. So, I'm just hoping to show up at the National Championships and give it my best as always," Ricketts continued.
Ricketts hopes to remain healthy for the duration of the season.
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