A FOURTH gold in athletics fell Jersey’s way yesterday evening as the packed Footes Lane audience were treated to a special performance from Evan Campbell.
Johannes Treiel of Saaremaa was the strong favourite heading into the men’s 110m hurdles final, but he did not account for an inspired Campbell, who pipped his opponent by just over a tenth of a second, in a time of 15.09 seconds.
The race of a lifetime and a personal best.
It is said that a picture paints a thousand words, and the reaction of the Caesarean across the finish line was living proof of that.
Having already picked up a bronze in the shot put earlier in the week, the Jerseyman was hungry for gold, and duly delivered.
‘I’m buzzing,’ said Campbell. ‘It was the last event of five for me.
‘I’ve competed every day this week, so to come away with a gold is incredible.
‘Johannes has run some crazy times, is a national champion but if you putyourself in the mix, you never know what can happen and, for me, the best happened.
‘I didn’t have many thoughts out there to be honest. There was a moment towards the end I could feel him [Johannes] coming, but I just tried to keep focused and finish strong.
Elsewhere, it was a bitter sweet silver for star discus thrower Zane Duquemin.
The Islander now focuses much of his attention on coaching, following a decorated career competing in the sport.
And ironically it was one of his best pupils, Nick Percy, who beat him to the gold.
Not only that, but the Isle of Wight debutant also stole Duquemin’s Games record of 57.23 metres, with an effort of his own stretching out to 58.33m.
The Jerseyman said: ‘Obviously, being Nick’s coach, I knew what shape he was in.
‘He was definitely the favourite coming into the Games.
‘But overall, I’m satisfied with my effort.
‘I’m not in the best shape I would have liked to be in. I picked up an injury a few weeks ago, so it was about trying to manage that.’
Despite the Islander’s primary focus now revolving around teaching the sport in Qatar, his love for competing has not diminished.
‘I just love the sport,’ he said. ‘Every year my body is getting a bit older and a little more broken.
‘But I take enjoyment in trying to figure out the puzzle of making the thing go further.
‘It’s still the same obsession I had when I began this journey at 12 years old.’
Elsewhere, Lucy Woodward capped off a brilliant Island Games, following up a gold in the triple jump and a bronze in the javelin, with a silver in the women’s 100m hurdles.
Her time of 15.82 seconds was beaten only by defending champion and home favourite, Rhiannon Dowinton, who clocked a time of 15.11 sec.
Meanwhile, Jorja Clark finished seventh in the hammer throw with a distance of 34.44m.
Jersey men’s and women’s squads were also in relay heat action.
The men in the 4×400 metres qualified second in their heat in a time of 3min 31.17sec, behind the Faroe Islands, while the women in the 4×100 metres won their heat in a time of 48.18sec.
Both finals are set to take place today.
