The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

In their preparation for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Track and Field Championships this week, Commonwealth Games champion and silver medallists Laquan Nairn and Devynne Charlton turned in some credible performances over the weekend.

Competing in two separate Wanda Diamond League meets, Nairn picked up a victory in the men’s long jump in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Friday, while Charlton had to settle for fourth place in the women’s 100 metre hurdles in Stockholm, Sweden, yesterday.

The duo were the only two Bahamians who competed in the two meets heading into the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, from August 16-27.

The 27-year-old Chalton, the Bahamian national record holder at 12.46 seconds, has already surpassed the qualifying standard of 12.78 for Budapest.

She clocked 12.85 on Sunday as she trailed world record holder Tobi Amusan of Nigeria, who won in 12.52.

Sarah Levin of Ireland was second in a personal best of 12.73, while Pia Skrzszowska of Poland was third in 12.78.

Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Nairn topped the field in Lausanne with a season’s best leap of 26-feet, 7 1/4-inches or 8.11 metres on his third attempt. He’s now pegged in the top 30 in the world.

“I’ve been preparing for this competition for two weeks,” said Nairn, who would have to ranked in the top 16 in order to be invited to Budapest, if he doesn’t make the standard. “Last year I came last in the Olso Diamond League, so it’s amazing for me to be able to come first.”

Afrer he opened with 24-4 ¼ (7.42m) and followed with 25-7 ¼ (7.80m), Nairn took he took the lead on his third attempt and maintained it the rest of the way. It was his only mark over 26-3 (8.0m), but it didn’t matter because his nearest rival Militadis Tentoglou of Greece did 26-5 ¾ (8.07m) for second.

“Before the competition, I had my whole mindset changed and that helped me to jump further,” Nairn said.

He finished the competition with his final three jumps of 25-1 ¼ (7.65m), 23-10 ¼ (7.27m) and 24-4 ¼ (7.42m), but he was never in any danger of relinquishing his top spot.

Although he has a lifetime best of 26-11 ¾ (8.22m), Nairn has not yet surpassed the qualifying standard of 27-0 ¾ (8.25m) for the World Championships, but he’s expected to be make the trip on an invite, based on his world rankings as World Athletics complete the field for the championships

Now, on his way back home this week, Nairn is scheduled to compete in the Nationals from Wednesday to Friday at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium before he goes through his final stages for the World’s.

“I will continue working hard for the Budapest World Championships and I aim to get a medal there,” Nairn said.

After qualifying for the finals at the Commonwealth Games last year, Nairn made the bold prediction that he would win the title. Two days later, he came back in the final and lived up to his expectations. Can he do the same in Budapest? Only time will tell.