Tyrone Smith came agonisingly close to making the long jump final in the World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey over the weekend.

Smith, current Male Athlete of the Year, jumped 7.8 metres, .09 centimetres short of making the final stage which featured the top eight quailifers.

Smith placed tenth.

“It was not my best day but London is my ultimate goal and I will be ready for the Olympics when they come around,” said Smith after the event.

Meanwhile, Aaron Evans, Arantxa King and Jasmine Brunson all had weekends to remember at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, claiming All-American status with their results.

Evans, competing in the 800 metres, placed third in his heat and fourth overall in the finals in a time of one minute, 48.95 seconds.

He was a First Team All-American after his third-place finish at the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championships and is expected to earn his second All-American status.

King, a former Female Athlete of the Year, finished fifth in the long jump with a leap of 6.4 metres, while Brunson finished eighth in the triple jump with her leap of 12.83 metres.

“It was a great weekend for both overseas and local athletes that are currently still trying to qualify for the Carifta Games,” said Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) president Donna Watson.

Qualifying for the Games that will be held on local shores next month were a hosts of athletes who competed at the National Sports Centre (NSC) over the weekend.

Tiara DeRosa (Under-17 Girls) made the shot putt standard, while Jaret Simons, and Kidane Callendarr both qualified for the Under-17 Boys 100 metres.

Daniel Oatley (3000m, Under-17 Boys), Justin Donawa (triple jump, Under-17 Boys), Aaron Perinchief (long jump, Under-20 Boys) and Donovan Livingston (high jump, Under-20 Boys) also made the grade.