Smith - preparing to spring more surprises in Beijing Decathlon
Monday 22 October 2007
Kingston, Jamaica - Jamaica’s Maurice Smith surprised many to win silver at the recent World Championships, which ended over a month ago in Osaka, Japan.
Now the national record holder for Jamaica warns there will be more surprises at next summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Maurice Smith (JAM) in the Decathlon pole vault
(Getty Images)
In Osaka, Smith scored a national record 8644 points, beating his previous best of 8349 to finish second behind Olympic and European champion, and World record holder, Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic (8676 points).
He said this second place finish has indicated he will be a force to reckon with in Beijing next summer. “After my performance (in Osaka), I definitely realized I have the potential to score far better than I did and win the Olympic gold medal,” explained the 2006 Commonwealth Games silver medallist.
‘Best ever’ day 1 in Osaka
Maurice Smith (JAM) and Bryan Clay (USA) in the Decathlon 100m
(Getty Images)
In what he described as his best ever first day performance, Smith, a member of recently retired Jamaican athlete, Juliet Campbell’s international sports management company, Brick House International, secured two personal times - 10.62 in the 100m and 47.48 in the 400m.
However, Smith, who broke the national and area (Central America and Caribbean) records no less than four times in the past two years, believes there is a lot of work that needs to be done, if he is to win the 2008 Olympic gold.
And though he did not elaborate too much on his plans, he disclosed: “There are some technical things I need to fix, so come next year, we will see what happens in Beijing.”
One of his downfalls this past season has been with his Javelin Throw, but he was quick to point out that “My javelin is weak now because of my injury, it’s not because I am not good at it.”
He said he has been affected by an ACL tear in his right elbow, but has already ironed out plans with his management team to take care of it. “I spoke to my coach, Jeremy Clayton, and manager (Juliet Campbell) about things we should be doing leading up to the Olympics.”
Once these have been administered, he promised, “I will be ready for Beijing, so I would not be worried about it.”
Smith, who created history by becoming the first Jamaican to win a medal in this event, said he was more than happy with his Osaka performance.
“I really surprised myself with the overall results,” quipped Smith while adding, "I feel like a winner.’’
The former Calabar High School student, who celebrated his 27th birthday on 28 September, also had a good outing at the final event of the IAAF World Combined Events Challenge 2007, in which he finished second overall.
On that occasion, Smith amassed 8298 points to finish behind Andrei Krauchanka of Belarus (8553 points) at the Decastar competition in Talence, France.
The year – 2007 – also brought Smith, the national junior record holder, Pan American Games success, this, after accumulating 8241 points in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to cop gold.
Anthony Foster for the IAAF