7 months ago
14
JAMAICAN ACE discus thrower Fedrick Dacres said he is trialing a new approach to his training programme this season in a bid to remain healthy and in top shape following several injury concerns last year.
“This year is just to stay healthy. That has really been my thing since I’ve been competing; just to stay healthy,” Dacres told The Gleaner about his training programme this season.
Dacres opened his account in January, throwing an impressive 65.66 metres at the Big Shot Invitational meet at Excelsior High School field.
He also registered 63.03 at the GC Foster Classic, before throwing 62.36 at Velocity Fest 16 at the Ashenheim Stadium two weeks ago.
Dacres has been pleased with his showing this season but remarked he has yet to push himself to the limit due to his new training programme.
“It’s not been bad,” he said.
“To be honest, I haven’t started to really press myself in competition yet. I think I opened with 65.66, so I don’t think that is too bad and I threw around like 63 metres under some bad conditions so that’s not bad. But overall, I’m feeling good so I can’t complain.”
He added, “I’ve been training steadily right now. I haven’t really been pushing it as hard as I’m supposed to, so it’s more like an easy year for me so it’s just to get it right.”
Dacres explained despite his more relaxed approach this season, his ambitions have not changed as he eyes a spot on the Jamaican team for the World Athletics Championships in September.
He has competed in four World Championships, making the finals in all of his appearances, along with a silver medal.
His highest placement came in 2019, where he threw 66.94 in Doha and Dacres wants to surpass that.
“The goal is still to win. It will always be to win,” Dacres said.
“I think I’m strong enough now to maintain where I’m supposed to be. It is just a smoother prep and hopefully I can continue staying injury-free.”
He continued, “It’s all about meticulous preparation as I’ve said, I’m not really trying to push. I’m just easing into my season because normally I would have been really strong now and all of that and then break down at the end of the season, so we’re trying a different approach this time.
Dacres also believes a good showing at the World Championships by Jamaican throwers could build on the attention the discipline received after the heroics of Roje Stona and Rajindra Campbell at last year’s Olympic Games.
According to Dacres, Jamaicans love to see their athletes win and believes continued success in throwing events will inspire younger athletes to follow in those footsteps.
“I think that will be great for us. In this thing here, it is all about winning because when people see you winning, then they say ‘Oh, I can do this thing too’,” said Dacres.
“I think it all started with Traves [Smikle] at World Youth and then I started and now we have young Stona doing well and everybody knows Mr Bronze-Medallist Rajindra. Really and truly, everybody is going to eventually pick up because we’re hot right now.”
English (US) ·