Triple jumper Jah-Nhai Perinchief was delighted to participate in his first competition in almost a year when he showcased his talent at the National Track and Field Championships at Flora Duffy Stadium on Saturday.

Perinchief’s last meet was the Ed Murphey Track Classic in Memphis, Tennessee, last July. He picked up an injury at that event which prevented him from representing Bermuda at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association Senior Championships, held in Freeport, Bahamas.

With the home crowd urging him on and coach Brian Wellman keeping an eye as he jumped, Perinchief's best jump was 15.89 metres and he was pleased with his progress.

“This was my first meet back from injury,” he said.

“It was used as a training session as well as giving the home crowd something to look at.

“Thanks to CariGenetics and Dr Carika Weldon. They sponsored me leading up to the next Olympics, so they took care of some medical stuff for me, got me back situated.

“Coach Brian Wellman and I just decided to give it some time to get myself back into shape, that final rhythm. The biggest thing with triple jump is speed, rhythm and strength, you have to be some good shape to put out some good numbers.

“We know where we’re at. We know what we need to work on and it’s not too far off from our goals.

“In previous years I was trying to fix my step phase and I think that’s fixed. I was hop-stepping past a long jump board, which usually means you’re in a good spot to go jump 17 metres plus.

“Just got to figure out my timing and work on some stability stuff with this right leg so I can get out there. I wasn’t even looking at the distance, I’m just trying to get reps in.”

Perinchief has two meets before flying the Bermuda flag at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, next month.

“I feel like by the time of the Commonwealth Games, I’ll be ready,” the 28-year-old said.

“I don’t really think too far ahead. I can only focus on right now, so we go back to the drawing board, figure out what I need to work on and I’ll be ready.

“I’m going to the Barbados Grand Prix and Ed Murphey Classic. I’ll do those two meets before the Commonwealth Games.”

Perinchief commended the Bermuda National Athletics Association for trying its best to grow track and field on island.

“Jarita Vickers, our new president, is doing a great job trying to get more people out and get track and field back moving in the community,” he said.

“We have some good talent, so getting the support that we need would be beneficial for growth in the sport overall.”

With little interest in triple jump from younger athletes, the Olympian hopes that will change in future.

“I don’t think you’ll get another me,” he added.

“I think you’ll get a better person that’s going to just fall in love with it, just be up here. I started out running everything up here from a young age, with Cal Simons and Norbert Simons at Pacers.

“Then Rohaan Simons in the high jump picked me up after I took a little break. We just have to get a community back out here and have enough athletes to go run around, figure out what they like to do, what they’re good at and fall in love with it.

Wellman was pleased with the strides made by Perinchief as he gets back into shape.

“We’re just now getting back to doing all the things we need to do,” Wellman said.

“So today I gave it a C-plus grade because we did some things quite well. We ran pretty well, the first two phases were really good. His transition from his step to his jump is where he felt like he had some issues with his ankle, which he saw one of the trainers here about.

“Without that we would have achieved our goal. We would have jumped the distance we’re looking to jump.

“The result isn’t a true representation of where we are. I think he’s a 17-plus metres guy and we’ll be on pace to do that by the time of the Commonwealth Games.”

Caitlyn Bobb, who is also gearing up for the Commonwealth Games, ran the 200 metres against American athlete Makenzie Dunmore and the local trio of Lashee Jones, Dem Salter and Denika Wade.

“I just wanted to take a break from the 400 competitively and just train and have fun,” she said.

“I also run the 200 as well, but I’m just more competitive in the 400 and we’re still actively working towards it too.

“This year I’ve been working on certain things and this race it was execution. I still got some things to work on, I have a meet in Canada early July to perfect some of the areas and then Commonwealth Games.

The 23-year-old, who is heading back to her training base in Maryland on Tuesday, was pleased to interact with some of the people in charge of her logistics when she represents Bermuda.

“It’s nice seeing all my friends here, people come back and my family was here watching me run,” Bobb said.

“It’s always great to see Bermuda Olympic Association and BNNA staff. I saw Donna Raynor and Branwen Smith-King, it’s always nice to see people I deal with via e-mail, but it's nice to see them in person.”

Norre Robinson is gearing up for a busy couple of weeks. The Louisiana Tech University student, who stormed to victory in the men’s under-20 200 metres, has a number of big events coming up.

“I’m actually preparing for a few races,” the 18-year-old said.

“I’m preparing for Barbados Grand Prix and hopefully we break the 4x100 relay record. I also got the NACAC Under-23 Championships in Mexico, Commonwealth Games, which is probably my favourite one I’m going to and then I’ve got the World Athletics Under-20 Championships.”

“I have qualified in the 200 for the World Championships. I hope to get the qualifying time in the in the 100 on Sunday if I run under 10.50sec.”

While no national records were set on the opening day of the national championships, there were impressive displays from some of the island’s young athletes.

Brooklyn Myers attained a personal best of 4min 58.13sec in the under-17 1,500 metres to better the 5:06.51 achieved while placing second in the Carifta Games qualifiers in March.

Two months after breaking two records at the Middle School Athletics Championships, Xander Romeo threw 15.53 metres in the under-17 boys shot put. His throw would have qualified him for the Carifta Games as the qualifying standard for his age group is 15 metres.