Fedrick Dacres is back
Discus strongman sees signs he will be back to his best ahead of World Champs
Published:Wednesday | April 27, 2022 | 12:05 AM
After a 2021 season hampered by injury, World Championship discus silver medallist Fedrick Dacres says he is showing signs of getting back to the form that saw him challenge for major titles.
Dacres continued his outdoor campaign by throwing a season’s best 65.98m to win at the Velocity Fest meet on Saturday. Dacres suffered a wrist injury late in 2020 and was not at his best when he went to the Toyko Olympics. Dacres did not progress to the final.
With more time for recovery, Dacres said that he is inching closer to his best, needing only to find his rhythm again to continue his progress.
“I think I am very close to being fully up to my level again. Other than that I have just rhythm problems. It’s more about getting my rhythm in check and everything. So that is where it is right now,” Dacres told The Gleaner.
“I think I am genuinely in good shape. It’s just some small things that I need to iron out and I will be fine. But at this point, I am very confident.”
RECOVERY PROCESS
Even with his determination to always give his best no matter the circumstances, he said that it has taken time for his body and mind to be fully in sync given the recovery process on his wrist. At the time he was unaware of his winning throw, a meet record, which is positive at this stage of the season.
“For me, I’ll always give it 100%. That’s definitely what I will do. But in terms of my body, it’s like my body and mind are not at the same pace but it’s getting there. It is almost there. I didn’t even know that it was 65.98. I just threw. I slipped and fell out of the ring. It shows that I am good,” Dacres said.
Staying injury-free is Dacres’ main focus as he hopes to challenge the likes of World and Olympic champion Daniel Stahl.
“At this point it’s just to work smart. No injuries, that is really the aim at this point. If I can work every single day hard, then I will be good,” Dacres said.
“The injuries actually pushed me back. Right now I am just focusing on being injury-free.”