Horizontal jumpers Pinnock, Ricketts highlight day three of Jamaican championships

KINGSTON : NCAA Champion Wayne Pinnock signalled his intention to challenge for a medal at this summer's World Championships in Budapest by leaping 8.32 metres to retain his long title ahead of 2019 gold medallist Tajay Gayle with 8.27m on Saturday's third and penultimate day of the Jamaican Championships.

Following a ninth place finish in Oregon last summer, Pinnock, who sits third in the world with a mark of 8.37m achieved two months ago, is now aiming to get to the final and secure an elusive medal.

"Most definitely, making my first world champs team was a big achievement for me (last year)... and there is a lot more left in the tank," Pinnock told Reuters.

"I just need to go back to the drawing board and figure out some areas that needs to be fixed up," he added.

Carey McLeod also booked his spot by cutting the sand at 8.20m for third.

Shanieka Ricketts is now targeting her third world championship medal after leaping 14.79 metres (wind +2.6 m/s) to win her fifth national title in the triple jump.

The two-time world championship silver medallist was elated to recover in time from an injury sustained at the Oslo Diamond league meet on June 16 to win ahead of Ackelia Smith with 14.26m.

"The mark is an indication of where I'm at this season, I've had a few struggles since the Oslo Diamond League where I had a bruised heel and just came back out of rehab and to come out today and perform and also make the national team to the world championship for a fifth time is just a blessing and I'm grateful," Ricketts told Reuters.

She noted her effort will now be focused on working to peak over the next six weeks in time for the championship in Budapest.

2019 World Shot Put silver medallist Danielle Thomas-Dodd threw 19.08 metres to win