Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Grant after her bronze medal effort yesterday. - PHOTO BY ANTHONY FOSTER
NASSAU, Bahamas: AMERICA-BORN Natalie Grant won Jamaica's first hammer throw medal when she picked up bronze on yesterday's opening day of the 20th Central America and Caribbean (CAC) athletics championships at the Thomas Robinson Track and Field Stadium.
Grant's bronze was Jamaica's first medal at the championships, a feat, which made her extremely happy.
"I'm feeling great," Grant said with a big smile.
She had a best throw of 61.34 metres to finish behind Trinidadian new championship record holder Candice Scott (67.44m) and the previous record holder, Cuban Yunaika Crawford (66.75).
In the end, all athletes passed the previous CAC record of 58.68m held by Crawford. The other Jamaican in the event, Caltha Seymour, was fifth with a throw of 57.69m'.
"This will be a very, very memorable experience. I came here to compete and win. I didn't come here to play games and it is good to have something to show for it," said 24-year-old Grant, who was born of two Jamaican parents in Miami.
"I can't complain.,The distance wasn't great, but I competed well and that's what I'm pleased with," she said.
Grant said her preliminary throws were bad "because I was thrown off a little bit by the official and some of the calls he was making. I got a little frustrated and got away from my technique," she said of her first three throws, which included two fouls and 50.64m.|
However, she said things improved but she wasn't sure of her final placing.
"I actually thought that I took fourth place and that's why I was down, I wasn't sure," she said.
