Injury-plagued long-jumper Henry Frayne makes Rio cut by 1cm

OVER the past four years, long-jumper Henry Frayne has spent more time in doctors’ rooms than on the track. But with a Rio ticket on the line, miracles can happen.

Henry Frayne on his way to qualifying for Rio in the long jump during final day of Australian Athletics Champs and Olympic nomination trials at Sydney Olympic Park. Picture. Phil Hillyard

HENRY Frayne hadn’t jumped anywhere in competition this season.

In fact over the past four years the Queensland long-jumper had spent more time in doctors rooms than leaping into sand.

But with a spot on the Olympic team on the line, Frayne pulled one out of the box soaring 8.16m — 1cm over the qualifying mark for Rio.

The 25-year-old admitted he was “stressed” before the competition and had thought about pulling out after an injury flared in Friday’s qualifying.

“It’s been a trial to get back here and even in the warm-up I was struggling on Friday with some hamstring stuff,” Frayne said.

“I was pretty happy to just be out here to jump as I thought about pulling out.

“I’m relieved more than anything. I would say back in 2012 there was more excitement (about the Olympics), this is more relief.

“There has not been a lot of jumping between then and now.”

It was his biggest jump since he leapt 8.23m to claim the world indoor silver medal in 2012.

Henry Frayne on his way to qualifying for Rio. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Frayne’s heroics wasn’t enough to earn him a national crown with Fabrice Lapierre continuing his domination of the event.

The world championships silver medallist won his fifth national title by jumping a season’s best 8.27cm.

With Olympic silver medallist Mitch Watt attempting a comeback for Rio — he was a late withdrawal for the trials — there could be three Australians in the medal mix.

“It’s awesome,” Lapierre said about Frayne’s performance. “And hopefully Mitch can do the same thing as it would be awesome to have all three of us at the Olympic Games so we can all help each other out and get three guys in the final.”

Frayne, who competed in the long jump and triple at the London 2012 Games, has been plagued by back related hamstring and groin issues which has seen him compete in just over a handful of competitions in four years.

Fabrice Lapierre scored a ticket to Rio and his fifth national title. Picture: Phil Hillyard

He continually pushed away the retirement demons during the dark times because of a belief that he can still do something special on the world stage.

“I believe I can jump 8.50 plus and I believe I can jump 17.50 plus, even up further, in the triple jump,” Frayne said.

“There is too much left to achieve, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.”

In the women’s event national record holder Brooke Stratton continued her stunning season by jumping 6.68m to capture her second national title.

High-jumper Eleanor Patterson won her fourth Australian title although the 19-year-old was disappointed with her performance of just 1.90m.

Originally published as Injury-plagued long-jumper Henry Frayne makes Rio cut by 1cm