By Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis, Special to TrackAlerts.com
The triple jump competition was one of the most talked about events in 2015 courtesy of the talents of the American Christian Taylor and the Cuban Pedro Pablo Pichardo Peralta.
That jumping fever had caught on in Jamaica a few months earlier as evidenced during the final of the Boys’ Class 1 triple jump. It was captivating from start to finish and of the highest standard. The Jamaica College pair of Obrien Wasome and Clayton Brown secured maximum points with a 1-2 finish with silver medallist Clayton Brown setting a new record 16.04m.
Obrien Wasome who won with a wind-assisted leap of 16.24m (+2.9 m/s) is now in his final year and will be seeking to close out his illustrious ‘Champs’ career in glory. He is ready to defend his title and has been in good form all season regularly going over 15m. Wasome is a man for all seasons who thrives on competition to bring out his ‘A’ game. He has a number of goals on his wish list this season.
Obrien Wasome spoke to TrackAlerts.com special contributor Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis in a one-on-one interview.
Q: Obrien is this your last year competing at ‘Champs?
A: “Yes, this is my last year competing at Champs.”
Q: How healthy are you this season?
A: “I’m very healthy, no injuries, nothing to worry about. I’m very healthy.”
Q: What are your goals for Champs?
A: “My personal goals are to get the long and triple jump records. The long jump record (7.87m in 1993) has been there too long now and the triple jump record wasn’t set right; it was broken but it wasn’t set right.”
Q: “Who do you see as your biggest rivals in the long and triple jumps?
A: “My biggest rival in the triple jump is Clayton Brown, well we are not really rivals because we have a close friendship and anyone one of us who wins on the day is just great.”
Q: This season we have seen Jamaica College doing extremely well in the Class 1 4x100m relay. Do you think you can pull it off at Champs?
A: “Well we are the only team that has gone below 40.1 seconds. We have done 40.06 (Camperdown Classics) and 40.01 (Gibson McCook Relays). We are just a shade outside 39 seconds and I think we can get the win.”
Q: Jamaica College (JC) is one of the teams that a lot of persons are not giving much credit. Do you think JC has a chance to win Champs this year?
A: “We have more than a chance to win Champs, we are going to win Champs and that’s it.”
Q: Can you compete at the CARIFTA Games and World Juniors?
A: “Yes, I’m eligible to compete at both.”
Q: When you look at the upcoming World Juniors, what do you think of Jamaica’s chances of doing well with the quality athletes that are available this year?
A: “Well with the quality athletes that we have it’s going to be a World Juniors to watch especially that men’s 4x400m it’s going to be an awesome race to watch.”
It is almost a certainty that barring fouls or injury that this ‘True Blue’ star performer will be among the top three finishers. Waysome knows that to succeed you must first believe you can. He is confident of standing in the middle of the podium on a few occasions at Champs.
Field events fans should be in for another jumping exhibition as the ultimate showman takes his final horizontal flights at the 2016 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys & Girls Champs.
Noel ‘Bravo’ Francis is a very exciting and creative freelance sports writer specializing in the fields of athletics and cricket. His colourful down to earth yet professional personality makes him a favourite amongst athletes and fans. Readers are often exposed to his detailed knowledge and passion which usually increase their interest in the athletes, events and the sport overall. He has a first degree in Banking & Finance and works in the financial industry. Contact Noel at [email protected]
