Razorback Wayne Pinnock claims Olympic long jump silver medal

Saint-Denis, France – Jamaica Independence Day included an added celebration with Razorback Wayne Pinnock claiming an Olympic silver medal in the long jump final at Stade de France on Tuesday evening.

In becoming the first Jamaican silver medalist in the event since James Beckford in 1996, Pinnock covered a distance of 27 feet, 5.25 inches (8.36) in the second round.

“Words can’t explain the feeling,” said Pinnock. “I’ve always wanted to be an Olympian. My dream has really come through with a silver medal. Unfortunately, I didn’t get gold, but it’s all in God’s plan.”

Pinnock also becomes the first Razorback jumper to medal in the long jump. Arkansas alum Mike Conley earned gold (1992) and silver (1984) in the triple jump while Matt Hemmingway collected silver in the high jump (2004).

Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece defended his Tokyo Olympic title with a winning leap of 27-10 (8.48) in the second round. Italy’s Mattia Furlani finished less an inch behind Pinnock for bronze with his opening round mark of 27-4.5 (8.34).

Pinnock also finished behind Tentoglou in the 2023 World Championships.

“For sure I’m going to get him one day,” noted Pinnock. “I just need to keep focusing on the right stuff in practice and just get everything perfect.

“Being confident and staying positive, even when the competition is really tough. They’re all great competitors, but at the end of the day I know my abilities and I know for sure one day I’m going to get that Greek guy for sure.”

Another Razorback in the field was Jamaican Carey McLeod, who placed 12th with a distance of 25-8 (7.82).

The series of jumps for Pinnock included 25-8.75 (7.84), 27-5.25 (8.36), 26-2.75 (7.99), 26-5 (8.05), 27-0.5 (8.24), and 26-7.75 (8.12).

Starting the evening session with the 400m semifinals, Arkansas alum Chris Bailey produced a career best of 44.31 in placing third in his heat with the top two of each heat automatically advancing to the final.

Former Olympic champion Kirani James won the heat in 43.78 with Zambia Muzala Samukonga runner-up at 43.81. The PR by Bailey kept him ahead of Bayapo Ndori of Botswana (44.43) and Italy’s Luca Sito (45.01).

Bailey ended up being one of two time qualifiers for the final, with Nigeria’s Samuel Ogazie the other at 44.41.Bailey will occupy lane 2 in Wednesday’s final.