Jamaican discus thrower Samantha Hall has advanced to the finals of the women’s discus event at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, and is expressing gratitude to her coach.

Speaking with Observer Online after her qualifying round, Hall said, “I have to give thanks to my coach Rajindra Campbell. He’s the one who took me under his wings since after the Olympics. He said that he believe in me and that our goal is to make the final so I just couldn’t disappoint him this year cause I’m like he put in a lot of work into this and I’m like I already know what to do. It’s my third world championship. I have to make the finals so that’s what I did.”

The thrower also acknowledged the support of Marlon Gayle and Julian Robinson.

Hall, who fouled on her first attempt, explained how she overcame early nerves.

“The first one I was just thinking of getting over the 64 just to get one throw over it but I guess I was just too nervous so before my third throw I was able to see Rajindra which was a surprise to me and surprisingly seeing him has make me feel calm and confident. He was able to remind me what to do so I like okay just slow it down, execute and get it out there,” she said.

Hall shared that her goal for Tokyo is to finish in the top six and then push for a medal in the top three.