Jarrett pushing hard for Daegu date

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Friday, June 24 was the date she experienced a horror moment she had never been through before in her athletics career.

During last month's JAAA/ Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships, curled up in the long-jump pit and in obvious pain, Jovanee Jarrett was a picture of absolute fear and pain; her left arm dangling rather precariously after it was dislocated from the shoulder - the result of an awkward landing by the former Rusea's and St Jago High student.

It has since been three weeks of intense recovery efforts for the 28 year-old, who is now refocusing her attention to next month's IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Daegu, South Korea, where she is hoping to compete.

"The first thing that came across my mind was whether or not my season was about to be over. At first, I thought my hand was broken, because it was all bent up and hurting badly," Jarrett recalled.

'Very worried'

"I was very worried laying there in the sand pit. This has been the most horrific experience of my career, and it's an injury that I would never want to experience again. Anything pertaining to joints or bone mishaps just freaks me out. I cannot watch without having a flashback of what took place with me that night. I have injuries here and there, but nothing as horrific as a dislocated left shoulder," said Jarrett.

Jarrett, who actually won the national title before injuring herself on her fifth attempt with a 6.44m effort, has already matched the IAAF's 6.45m 'B' qualifying standard for the long jump this season, and is hoping that she will be given a chance to represent the country, even if she fails to make the 6.75m 'A' standard before the August 15 deadline stipulated by the IAAF.

"Well, definitely being out for three weeks caused me to miss out on a couple of meets, which I know would have allowed me to be more physically prepared for the World Championships. But I have a little over a month to go, so I'm not worried," Jarrett added. "As of right now, I cannot say whether or not I have any meets prepared in order to achieve the 'A' standard. I'm just hoping that the JAAA will still give me a shot to make the team with the 'B' standard."

Light training

Jarrett has been visiting a specialist twice a week for the past few weeks, and has been in light training under the watch of her coach Henry Rolle in Auburn, Alabama.

"The recovery process has been smooth sailing, even though at times it would cause me to break down mentally. But the willpower in me causes me to push through and, with the love from family, friends and fans, it made me feel a lot better. Physically, I prepared myself for what was ahead. I know I would have to work hard during therapy and remain disciplined enough to work at home also," Jarrett shared. "My coach and training partners helped me to get through this setback. I have positive people around me, and that is something that I'm grateful for."

"Now that I'm back in training, my objective is to be able to go to Daegu and represent well for my country. This setback has given me the urge to need this more than ever. I can feel the difference in me, my confidence level is so high right now. I believe that whatever I set my mind to achieve I will. I'm just so thankful and blessed to be able to be back in training so quickly," said Jarrett, who must now wait with her fingers crossed for a chance to test her tenacity on the grand Daegu IAAF World Championships stage.