The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

HURDLER Jeffery Gibson and long jumper Bianca ‘BB’ Stuart had a good showing over the weekend as they represented the Bahamas at the Ponce Grand Prix IAAF World Challenge 2015 at the Paquito Montaner Stadium in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

While Gibson won the men’s 400 metres hurdles in a season’s best time of 49.19 seconds in his first major professional race on the circuit, Stuart picked up a second place in the women’s long jump with a leap of 6.59 metres or 21-feet, 7 1/2-inches as she continues her sting of impressive performances.

Gibson’s performance was good enough to place him well under the qualifying standard of 49.50 for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, in August, but it was off his national record of 48.78 that he ran at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, for the bronze medal when he had his breakout year as a professional athlete last year.

“I was happy with the time I ran. I was expecting to run 48.9 or 49.1,” the Grand Bahamian native told The Tribune. “It just shows that I’m progressing through the season like how I want to.”

On Saturday, 24-year-old Gibson powered his way up the middle to pull off the victory over local favourite Javier Culson of Puerto Rico, who did 49.31 for second. Miles Ukaoma of Nigeria was third in 49.39.

“It was very weird winning that race on his (Culson) turf. The crowd was very quiet when I crossed the line. There was hardly any cheering,” Gibson said. “Before the race the crowd was chanting his name over and over, which made it hard for the heat before us to run. When I ran, I thought it was close to the line but to see my name atop of his on the screen at the end was great.”

It was also a surprise.

“I can say that I expected it but honestly it still was a surprise to win my very first pro race like that. After my race in Doha I told myself that I wanted to win Ponce and that I needed to win Ponce,” Gibson said. “Before the race and in the blocks I told myself ‘beat Javier, upset the crowd.’ I knew that my biggest challengers were going to be Javier and Andreas Silva from Paraguay.”

Gibson, who failed to advance out of the semi-finals of his debut at the Worlds in 2013 in Moscow, Russia, said it shows that he’s ready for the long haul to his second World appearance in Beijing this year. Hopefully he will be prepared for all of the meets that will come before as well this summer.

“I plan to run a personal best this year. My goal is to run 47 seconds and make it on the stands this world championships. My last one I didn’t make it to the finals so this year I want to make it further than just being in the finals,” Gibson said. “I’d also like to win and do really well at the Pan Am Games, University Games and the NACAC Championships. There are a lot of teams to run and make this year. God willing.”

The Oral Roberts University graduate is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he is training at Saint Augustine’s College under coach George Williams and Sandy Chapman. He’s waiting on word on where and when his next meet will take place.

“I don’t have anything planned as yet but I would like to take some time off and get some base training in preparation for my next race,” he said. “Based on my next race, I might be in New York at the Adidas meet, which is a meet I’m sure I’ll see Javier again.”

Stuart, who just celebrated her 27th birthday on May 17, said it was a good meet and she was pleased with her performance, finishing behind Yariadamis Arguelles, who did 6.66m (21-10.25) and ahead of Lorraine Ugen of Great Britain, who did 6.53m (21-05.25).

“The competition was slightly tough. The winning jump was 6.66m and I was just shy of surpassing that but overall it was a good competition,” Stuart said. “The girls and I were very competitive with each other which made the event even more exciting.”

This was Stuart’s 5th outdoor competition for the year and she has already done the Worlds qualifying standard of 6.70m (21-113/4).

“I’m thankful to God that I’m healthy and fit. I’m satisfied with where I’m at so far because I’m far ahead this year this early compared to last year and to me that’s a good sign for what is to come as the season progresses,” she said.

Stuart attributes her success to the hard work that she’s enduring under Bahamian coach Henry Rolle at Auburn University.

“I’m much stronger and faster this year so now it’s all about sustaining that speed and strength and also focus on adjusting any minor technical errors that may be preventing me from getting to the 6.80m+range,” she said.

And having qualified for Worlds with a leap of 6.70m (21-11 3/4) back in April in her first outdoor meet, Stuart said all is left is for her to concentrate on her performances.

“My season’s best thus far is 6.73m. I’m very consistent over 6.70m so my plan is to continue to train hard and try to progress each meet as I focus on achieving the main goal, which is to compete in the finals of the long jump at Worlds,” said Stuart, who is still waiting for word on when she will compete again.

As for Gibson, Stuart said she was very impressed with his accomplishment.

“I didn’t get a chance to see him compete but I saw the outstanding result and congratulated him,” Stuart said. “Jeffery is a great athlete and has been doing so well this season. He is very competitive and driven for success all while remaining humble and I respect him for that. Great things are ahead for him.”