The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Leevan ‘Superman’ Sands seems to be getting better as he improves on his comeback trail.

With a little help from two of his international friends, Sands turned in a season’s best of 16.80 metres or 55-feet, 11/2-inches to win the men’s triple jump title at the inaugural Blue Marlins Track Classic at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium on Saturday.

The event was the marquee event on the field with Americans Refeeq Curry (16.24m or 53-3) and Brandon Roulhac (95m 52-4) taking second and third respectively. Jamieson Pratt of Jumper’s Inc. was fourth (14.36m or 47-1) and Lamar Delaney, unattached, was fifth (13.68m 44-103/4).

Sands, coming off an emotional second place finish at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations National Open Championships behind Latario Collie-Minns, just missed the qualifying standard of 16.90 or 55-5 for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China in August.

“I just thank God. 15.80 I can’t beat that. I can’t complain,” said Sands, who did16.64m (54-7 1/4) to take the lead before Collie-Minns, 21, answered with his winning mark of 16.95m (55-7 1/2) to win the national title last weekend.

“I was excited about my performance in the nationals, but now with a smaller crowd, I still did a season’s best. I’m very happy. I’m proud of my family, who came out and the rest of the fans who came out and supported me.

“I feel great about what took place. I’m just thankful for another opportunity to do the triple jump again. I had some competition from some of my friends, who I had called and asked if they wanted to do this meet. Just like me, they are on their comeback, so I was happy that they came here to take part.”

Sands, 33, is still hoping that he will be able to continue to improve in his quest to qualify for the World Championships. He’s expected to go to the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, where he anticipates that the competition will be able to propel him through.

“I just jump off emotions. But depending on how big the crowd and they are into it, that will get me going,” said Sands, who is rebounding from surgery to repair his knee that he injured during the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.

“I was very pleased with the performance that I did tonight. It’s encouraging for me as I move on.”

Curry, who indicated that although he’s from Miami, Florida, he has some roots in the Bahamas and was just thrilled to support Sands in his comeback.

“Big-ups to him,” Curry said. “It’s always fun to compete against him. It’s a great opportunity to see him in action. He always brings out the best in you and so I’m grateful to be able to see him perform at home.”

On Sands’ return to action, Curry said it’s unheard of and it’s a story that will have a fairy-tale ending.

“When his kids start to fail, he can remind them about his story and how they overcome any obstacle they are faced with,” Curry said. “I know it’s an inspiration to me. I am also coming back from some injuries, not as severe as Leevan, but he has helped me to get through my experiences.”

Curry’s performance was a season’s best for him.

Also producing his season’s best was Roulhac, who too praised Sands for his achievement.

“It was great coming here, the weather was great and the people were great,” said Roulhac, who hails out of Orlando. “The atmosphere was great and Leevan is such a great athlete and so when he invited me to come down and compete, I couldn’t turn him down.”

Recovering from a back injury, Roulhac said he understands the challenge that Sands has to endure.

“It’s amazing. He has a never quit attitude,” Roulhac said. “Most people in his condition would have just hung it up, but he said he’s no yet ready to stop. He decided to keep on going. He went from barely walking to being one of the best again.

“That’s just amazing. That’s a story within itself. That’s a story that we all can take a lesson from. It’s no excuse. I am just pleased to be a part of it when it is all written because I got a chance to compete against him in his comeback.”

No doubt, Roulhac wanted to make more of an impact in the competition, but he will take his performance because he was able to leave the meet injury free.