There is a new gem on the Barbados CARIFTA Games’ team as triple jumper Jonathon Miller not only gained gold but qualified for the World Junior Championships in Finland, July 10-15.
“I am extremely grateful for accomplishing this gold medal. It is a phenomenal achievement. I thank God firstly because without Him, there is nothing that I can do,” Miller told MIDWEEK SPORT after receiving his medal during the presentation at the conclusion of the 37th Flow CARIFTA Games in The Bahamas on Monday night.
“I also want to thank my coach, Neil Crichlow, his daughter, Desiree and mostly my mum [Joy-Ann) for bringing me through this experience,” he added.
Miller, who is now enrolled at The St Michael School for his sixth-form studies after leaving The Lodge School, said he was well aware that he had to surpass his winning leap of 15.42 metres at the Barbados Secondary Schools Athletics Championships in order to win the gold medal.
“Coming into the competition, I knew it would’ve been hard because I knew a couple results coming in with the Jamaican jumping 15.71 so I knew I had to PB [personal best] to win and that is what I came and did,” said the 17-year-old Gemswick, St Philip resident.
Miller, who won silver in the Under-18 division in Curacao last year but was competing among the senior boys for the first time, said there were some butterflies as he went on the runway for his opening jump.
“The first jump, I remember being extremely nervous but eventually I overcame it and the fourth jump was when I jumped my new personal best, 15.62 metres,” he said.
That mark surpassed the World Juniors’ qualifying standard of 15.60 and should secure Miller a ticket to Tampere.
Miller said jumping on the far side of the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium where the athletes and an overflow of spectators from the over 7 000 were located, turned out to be blessing in disguise.
“I won’t say I was away from the spotlight because the crowd was great. The crowd actually engaged in the competition. When I asked for support, support was given,” he noted. (EZS)
