Beijing – Long jumper Khotso Mokoena says he will now shift focus to the triple jump competition at the IAAF World Championships after he agonisingly missed out on a place in the long jump today.
Mokoena recorded two no jumps and his best leap was the 7.79m that he posted in his second of the allocated three qualification attempts.
He finished on equal distance as Radek Juska but the Czech Republic jumper sneaked into the top 12 by virtue of having had two legal jumps and his group ranking (fourth) was better than Mokoena’s. The South African ended ninth during the qualifying round.
“Obviously I didn’t get through and that’s it. It was not easy after the first no jump,” said a clearly disappointed Mokoena.
“At least I have a break in between and I’m looking forward to the triple jump on Wednesday [4am South African time].”
Meanwhile other long jumpers, African champion Zarck Visser and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Rushwahl Samaai, also fared dismally during the long jump run-up today. They finished 19th and 20th in the overall rankings.
In the another morning session event involving Team SA, sprinter Justine Palframan came last in 52.45 seconds in the women’s 400m heats.