Commonwealth Games

Ben jumps for joy for games

Newcastle-under-Lyme’s triple jumper Ben Williams is celebrating after he was recently named in the Team England squad for this summer’s Commonwealth Games.

He will be going forgold at the Birmingham Games in the first weekend of August after securing his place with ajump of 16.82 metres earlier this month –the fourth best of his career.

His latest international appearance comes after he represented Team GB at last year’s Tokyo Olympics.

British Triple Jump Champion Ben, who has been sponsored by digger giant JCBsince 2019, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be representing England at our home Commonwealth Games. Iamfeeling in great form and relishing the prospect of competing in front of abig crowd on home turf. “I thrive on the atmosphere of large competitions, and this is one of thebiggest in the world.”

Ben was inspired to start triple jumping aged eightwhile watching Jonathan Edwards on TV win gold at the Sydney Olympics. Edwards still holdsthe world triple jump record of 18.29 metres, 27 years after setting it.

Ben missed the last Commonwealth Games in Australia in 2018 due to knee surgery and after bouncing back to fitness, almost quit the sport in 2019 as he battledtobalance the need to earn money with the demands of training as an elite athlete.

Ben added: “If JCB had not steppedinto help with sponsorship IdoubtIwould have been able to continue representing my country at the sport Ilove. “It is thanks to that support from JCBthatI have been able to train full time as atriple jumper which hashelped my form massively. “I go into the Commonwealth Gamesasa medal contender which is afantastic position to be in.”

Ben’s life-time best jump of 17.27 metres came in August 2019 –almost the length of a double decker bus.Guyana’s Troy Doris secured the gold medal at the last Commonwealth Games with ajump of 16.88 metres.