It was a challenging day for Team Dominica in the Boys’ Under-17 Long Jump at the 52nd CARIFTA Games, as young athlete Jaden Joseph fell short of advancing to the top eight.

Joseph recorded a jump of 6.04 meters, but the mark was not enough to secure him a place among the event’s top performers. Speaking briefly with the team’s media officer following the event, Joseph expressed his disappointment.

“I feel disappointed with myself. I know I can do better, but something was just not right—I don’t know what happened,” he said.

He noted that a lack of height and issues with his approach may have affected his performance.

“I think it was more my jumping—I wasn’t getting enough height, and my run-up was not proper,” he explained.

When asked about his readiness, Jaden said, “I was prepared, but probably a little nervousness had me on edge.”

Despite the setback, the first-time CARIFTA athlete remains optimistic and focused on growth.

“This gave me some experience. I know I have to push more, work harder, train harder, and be fully committed to this and do what I’ve been doing,” he shared.