Team Dominica had a difficult day in the Boys’ Under-17 Long Jump at the 52nd CARIFTA Games, as emerging talent Jaden Joseph was unable to reach the top eight. His jump of 6.04 meters fell short of the required distance to qualify him for the next stage of the competition, shared the Dominica Athletics Association by press release.
After the event, Joseph took a moment to reflect on his performance with the team’s media officer and conveyed his feelings of disappointment. “I feel disappointed with myself. I know I can do better, but something was just not right—I don’t know what happened,” he admitted.
Joseph identified two key factors that may have hindered his performance: inadequate jumping height and complications with his approach. “I think it was more my jumping—I wasn’t getting enough height, and my run-up was not proper,” he elaborated on his struggles.
When prompted about his mental state heading into the event, Jaden acknowledged a degree of nervousness. “I was prepared, but probably a little nervousness had me on edge,” he stated, recognizing the emotional challenges that accompany competition.
Nevertheless, the young athlete, making his debut at the CARIFTA Games, remains hopeful for future opportunities and focused on personal growth. “This gave me some experience. I know I have to push more, work harder, train harder, and be fully committed to this and do what I’ve been doing,” he concluded.
Photo Credit: Dominica Athletics Association