Olympic and World Championship long jump silver medallist Wayne Pinnock is set to kick off his 2025 season at the World Indoor Championships later this month, according to Travis Geopfert, Director of Track and Field and Cross Country at Kansas State University (KSU).
Pinnock, who recently made the move from his training base at the University of Arkansas to train at KSU, has settled well into his new environment and is thriving under Geopfert’s tutelage. The transition appears to have been a positive one for the 23-year-old Jamaican star, who told Sportsmax.TV earlier this year that he is enjoying his time at KSU so far.
“Settling in at Kansas has been an exciting process. The transition has been smooth, and I’m really starting to feel at home here. The new environment has been refreshing; it’s a perfect mix of world-class facilities, a supportive team, and a culture that pushes me to grow.” Pinnock shared. “The change in scenery has sparked a new level of motivation, and I’m grateful for the opportunities it’s providing both in my training and my personal development.”
His coach, Geopfert, confirmed that Pinnock is in excellent shape heading into the World Indoor Championships, which will take place from March 21-23 in Nanjing, China. Though it will be his first competition of the season, Geopfert is confident that Pinnock is ready to perform at an elite level.
“Yeah, he is (going to World Indoors). We're prepping for it. It might be his opener, but he's training really well. The plan is World Indoors,” Geopfert stated.
Pinnock, who has been one of the most consistent long jumpers in the world in recent years, will be aiming to build on his impressive performances from last season, where he won silver at both the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and the 2024 Paris Olympics. With a personal best of 8.54m, he is among the top contenders for a podium finish in Glasgow.
The World Indoor Championships will provide Pinnock with an early opportunity to test himself against the best in the world, setting the tone for what promises to be another exciting season. His participation is expected to further bolster Jamaica’s increasingly contingent at the global event.
Among the athletes who have expressed to Sportsmax.TV their intent to compete in China later this month are Ackera Nugent and Julian Forte. Olympic 100m silver medallist Kishane Thompson has also confirmed his participation in what will be his first global indoor campaign. Olympic high-jump finalist Romaine Beckford is also intent on competing in China, Geopfert revealed.