Smikle hoping to inspire the next generation

FOLLOWING HIS win at Racer’s Grand Prix inside the National Stadium on Saturday, Jamaican discus thrower Traves Smikle said he hopes his career can prove an inspiration for the next generation of athletes from Jamaica.

The name Traves Smikle has become synonymous with the men’s discus programme as the five-time national champion has been a consistent headliner for Jamaica since his days as a junior athlete.

The now 32-year-old has enjoyed much success throughout his junior career. He took the bronze medal at the 2009 World Youth Athletics Championships and bronze in the 2009 Pan American Junior Championships.

He would follow that success with gold at the 2011 Pan American Junior Championships as well as winning his first national title as a junior that year.

As a senior athlete, Smikle would win an additional four national titles throughout his career along with two appearances at the 2012 and 2020 Olympics. He is a Commonwealth Games silver medallist and mined the same colour medal at the Pan American Games.

HISTORIC TRACK

Smikle hopes his career, as well as the performances of his national teammates, can prove to be an inspiration for up-and-coming discus throwers, especially with Jamaica’s historic track and field bent.

“We’re in a non-traditional event,” he said.

“Jamaica is known for its sprinting, so to showcase that we have talent elsewhere, I think it speaks volumes. We’re just doing what we can to lay the foundation for the generation that is to come.”

Smikle is preparing for the Olympic Games in Paris in another two months and hopes he can book his ticket with a good performance at the National Championships.

Smikle is one of three Jamaican athletes to have made the Olympic qualifying standard so far, alongside Ralford Mullings and Roje Stona.

However, Smikle knows any Olympic aspirations will be a difficult task as the event is currently seeing record-breaking performances this year.

In April, Lithuanian Mykolas Alekna broke the men’s discus world record with an effort of 74.35 metres.

Smikle said while the competition may be challenging, he is ready to face off against the best in the world.

“I’d need to find the mental fortitude to go against those guys but it is not impossible. So now, I’m going to continue working, continue being disciplined in my training, continue going with the plan and my coach and let’s see what happens.”