McLeod secures Jamaican title, leaps to Olympic spot
World indoor long jump bronze medallist Carey McLeod has booked his ticket to the Paris Olympics with an 8.38 metre leap on the penultimate day of Jamaica's national championships.
McLeod, who admitted he was surprised by his winning mark, said it confirmed his preparations to challenge for a medal at the Olympics were on target.
"The distance opened my eyes a little bit more as I wasn't expecting to jump that far," he said.
"I will now go back to the drawing board and keep working because the job is never done until we get what we need at the Olympics."
Wayne Pinnock, who claimed silver at the last world championships, came second with 8.27m.
Twice women's triple jump world championship silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts leapt 14.5m to win her sixth national title and qualify for her third straight Olympics.
Ricketts was not satisfied with her winning distance, but said she still had time to improve.
"Sometimes competitions aren't necessarily a true indication of where we are in the preparation," she said.
"It's just about getting the right jump in the right conditions. It's important to peak at the right time as well."
Ackelia Smith, who won the long jump title with a 6.53m effort on Thursday, returned to place second in the triple jump with 14.44m.
Ricketts, who missed out on bronze at the Tokyo Games in 2021, said she was hungry for success in Paris.
"Once I win an Olympic medal in Paris, that will be the icing on the cake in terms of what I've accomplished in my career," she said.
"That's what I'm targeting, because that's the only medal I haven't received."
Danniel Thomas-Dodd, the 2019 world championship shot put silver medallist, threw a season's best 19.32m to win her ninth national title and secure qualification to her third straight Olympics.
Thomas-Dodd said her target was to make her first Games final.
"That is the number one aim - to make sure I make it into the final to give myself a fair chance to challenge for a medal," she said.
Traves Smikle threw 67.08m to win the men's discus ahead of Roje Stona and Ralford Mullings.
Reigning Olympic sprint hurdles gold medallist Hansle Parchment stayed on course to return to the Games and defend his title, posting 13.42 seconds to win semi-final one and easily advance to Sunday's final.
Reigning Commonwealth Games champion Rasheed Broadbell, 2016 Olympic champion Omar McLeod, and Orlando Bennett also reached the final.
Budapest world championships finalist Ackera Nugent was the fastest women's qualifier, running a season's best 12.46 seconds to reach the 100m hurdles final.
