Mullings poised for big things at Worlds

Jamaica enjoyed its best-ever result in throwing events at the senior global level, when Roje Stona shocked the world, winning the men's discus with a record 70 metres at the Paris Olympic Games.

One year later, Jamaica will be aiming to maintain that standard at the World Championships, even without Stona, who is among four athletes to switch allegiance.

This time, the baton falls to Ralford Mullings. The powerful 22-year-old, who finished ninth at last year's Olympic Games, will lead Jamaica's charge. He will be joined by seasoned campaigners Fedrick Dacres and Chad Wright.

Mullings has taken his craft to another level this season. With a national record throw of 72.01m in Oklahoma, he enters the Championships ranked fourth in the world.

Ahead of him are Lithuania's Mykolas Alekna (75.56m), Australia's Matthew Denny (74.78m) and Slovenia's Kristjan Ceh (72.36m).

Still a student at the University of Oklahoma, Mullings has shown he belongs on the world stage. In his final tune-up, he triumphed at the Brussels Diamond League with 69.66m, defeating Alekna, Denny, Ceh and even his countryman Stona.

Earlier, in June he also stunned Alekna at the National Collegiate Athletics Association Division 1 Outdoor Championships, forcing the Lithuanian to settle for silver.

Dacres, with a season best of 66.33m, and Wright at 62.92m, may not be expected to challenge strongly. But all eyes will be on Mullings, who has the form, confidence and firepower to deliver something special.

After mining silver in Eugene and bronze in Budapest, Alekna is still hunting gold. Defending champion Daniel Stahl, a two-time World champion, thrives on the big stage. But if Mullings reproduces his recent brilliance, Jamaica could once again celebrate discus gold on the global stage.

sports@gleanerjm.com