Sport

Smith soars to gold - Frater springs surprise silver

(LEFT ) Trecia Smith celebrates after winning the women's triple jump final at the World Athletics Championships in Helsinki, Finland, yesterday. Smith recorded 15.11 metres with her fifth attempt to seize the title. Cuban Yargelis Savigne took the silver medal with a personal best of 14.82, four centimetres ahead of Russian Anna Pyatykh.
( RIGHT ) Jamaica's Michael Frater (centre) crosses the finish line to claim the silver medal in the men's 100 metres behind world champion Justin Gatlin (left) of the United States and compatriot Leonard Scott at the World Athletics Championships in Helsinki, Finland, yesterday. Gatlin stormed to victory in 9.88 seconds, while Frater was second in 10.05 ahead of St. Kitts and Nevis' Kim Collins who clocked the same time. - reuters

helsinki, finland

TRIPLE JUMPER TRECIA Smith fought through severe pain to gain Jamaica's first gold medal at the 10th IAAF World Championships in Helsinki last night.

Smith, who had a foul at her first attempt, hurt her ankle on the second and aggravated it even more during the third. Those who watched closely could have seen her grimacing as she got her jump up to 14.51m on her third attempt.

"I got some treatment then decided that I would put everything in my remaining jumps as I am mentally tough," Smith said.

She did just that and came up with an outstanding sequence of 14.91m, a world leading best leap of 15.11m and a final jump of 15.01m. Anyone of the three would have given her gold, they were the three best of the competition. Silver medallist Yargelis Savigne of Cuba had a best leap of 14.82m while third, Russia's Anna Pyatykh, got up to 14.78m.

Biggest supporter

Smith, a past student of Mannings High in Westmoreland, said one of her biggest supporters is her mother.

"Last year when I was fourth (in Athens) my mom was very supportive. This time she said 'do your best'. I can hardly wait to show her my gold medal."

Sprinter Michael Frater made it a glorious Jamaica night in the Finnish capital as he won the silver medal in the men's 100m behind American Justin Gatlin.

Frater surprised many by beating some of the best sprinters in the world to take second.

"I am very happy with my silver," he said. "Nobody expected us to take a medal here but I kept telling myself to believe in it."

Gatlin won the gold in a season-best 9.88 seconds, Frater pocketed silver in 10.05 and defending champion Kim Collins of St. Kitts and Nevis got the bronze in the same time as the runners from second to fifth ended in a blanket finish. Jamaica's second finalist, Dwight Thomas ended up fifth in 10.09.

Among the first to congratulate Frater was his training partner, world 100m record holder Asafa Powell who withdrew from the 100 metres days before the championships because of injury.

"I felt real excited for him," Powell said. "Tears of joy filled my eyes when I saw that he had won the silver medal."

Significantly, all three 100m medallists are coached by Jamaicans. Gatlin is coached by US-based Jamaican Olympian, Trevor Graham. Frater is from the local-based MVP club coached by Stephen Francis while Collins is coached by Glen Mills, a many-time Jamaican head coach at major meets.

Jamaica will be seeking more medals today when Mardrea Hyman and Korene Hinds run in the 3000m steeplechase final. The women's 100m semi-finals and final will also be contested. Three Jamaicans, Veronica Campbell, Sherone Simpson and Aleen Bailey will line up in the women's 100m semi-finals.