Pinnock vows to get Tentoglou

PARIS, France:

Wayne Pinnock has vowed that one day he will get the better of Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece in the long jump at a major meet.

But for now, he can bask in the glow of being an Olympic medallist at the first attempt.

Pinnock ended Jamaica's two-decade wait for an Olympic medal in the men's long jump, earning silver in the final yesterday at the Stade de France, increasing Jamaica's medal tally to four and expanding Jamaica's strong performance in the field at these Olympic Games. Pinnock's leap of 8.36 metres secured second place, while Tentoglou won back-to-back Olympic titles with 8.48m. Italy's Mattia Furlani, 8.34m, got bronze. Pinnock's teammate, World Indoor Championships bronze medallist Carey McLeod, finished 12th with 7.82m

Claiming back-to-back major global medals is a major achievement in his young career, Pinnock said, but he still believes their is another level to hit to finally get the better of someone who has become a rival.

"It's just a gift from God. Staying positive knowing that the competition is really tough. Because they are all great competitors and you have to show everyone respect. I know my abilities and I know that one day I am going to get him for sure," Pinnock said.

Pinnock's accomplishment was made more significant as he had an injury just two months before the Olympics.

"Despite the fact that I was hurt two months ago, I never lost hope. I was always confident and remained positive. I am not going to lie it was a tough journey coming back, but I never lost hope. I prayed about it and I am an Olympic silver medallist right now," Pinnock said.

National champion Rushell Clayton and Shiann Salmon progressed to their first Olympic 400m hurdles final after good runs in the semi-finals. Clayton was comfortable in her semi-final heat winning in 53.00 seconds. Salmon ran a personal best time of 53.13 to advance as a non-automatic qualifier after placing third in her heat. Janieve Russell's time of 54.65 was not good enough to advance. She was fourth in her heat.in 54.65.

American Gabby Thomas claimed the women's 200m title in 21.82, her first major global title. Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred was second in 22.08 and Thomas's teammate Brittany Brown edged former World champion Dina Asher-Smith for bronze in 22.20.

Jeaughn Powell did not advance to the final of the men's 400m after his time of 44.91 was not fast enough as a non-automatic qualifier. Powell was the lone Jamaican in the semi-finals after exits from national champion Deandre Watkin and Sean Bailey in the earlier rounds.

Ackelia Smith advanced to her second Olympic final, making the women's long jump final with her best leap of 6.59m being good enough to finish in the top 12. Her national teammate Chanice Porter's best attempt of 6.48m was not good enough to advance to the final. Porter later confirmed her retirement from the sport, ready to transition to something new.

Bryan Levell will be the lone Jamaican in the men's 200m semi-final today at 1:02 p.m. Levell's time of 20.47 in the repechage round was good enough to be a non-automatic qualifier. Andrew Hudson dropped out after a time of 20.55.

National record holder Adelle Tracey will run in the 1500m repechage round as she finished in 13th place in her 1500m heat in a season's best time of 4:09.33.

Among today's key events are the men's 110m hurdles semifinals with reigning champion Hansle Parchment, Rasheed Broadbell and Orlando Bennett at 12:05 p.m. as well as the 400m women's semifinals with world leader Nickisha Pryce, Stacey-Ann Williams and Junelle Bromfield at 1:45 p.m.