Video: Interview With Jah-Nhai Perinchief
Bermuda triple jumper Jah-Nhai Perinchief – in an interview with professional footballer LeiLanni Nesbeth — said he is determined to make a mark when he competes at his first Olympic Games in Paris.
Qualifying as one of the top 35 ranked men’s triple jumpers, Perinchief believes he is ready to shine on the biggest stage after narrowly missing out on the rescheduled Tokyo Games in 2021.
He feels his journey has come full circle, having represented Bermuda at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China, ten years ago along with triathletes Erica Hawley and Tyler Smith, who will also compete in Paris.
“This is a long time coming,” Perinchief told LeiLanni Nesbeth, the Bermuda and Chicago Red Stars footballer, who interviewed him on behalf of Bernews as part of our ‘The Best Interview The Best’ series.
“I missed out on the previous Olympics, but I was still in college, and it’s given me more time to learn some stuff.
“I remember competing at the Youth Olympics ten years ago. Tyler and Erica were also there, and it will be fun to experience that again with them – this time at the Olympics!”
Perinchief opened his outdoor campaign at the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix at the Flora Duffy Stadium in April, finishing second with a wind-assisted jump of 17.13 metres before coming fourth at the Jamaica Athletic Invitational Meet in Kingston in May and USATF New York Grand in June.
Not one to look too far ahead of himself, Perinchief said his initial goal is to reach the final of his event before challenging for a podium spot.
“I’m trying to do something that’s not been done [for Bermuda],” said Perinchief, whose personal best is 17.03.
“We’ve had Brian Wellman, who has made a final, and I want to do the same and then go from there.”
Wellman, who came fifth at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, has been invaluable in shaping Perinchief’s transition to the triple jump, having initially competed in the high jump as a student-athlete before undergoing extensive rehab for a hip injury in 2017 and tearing his hamstring a year later.
“Brian has been a tremendous help,” said Perinchief, who won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 with a leap of 16.92.
“I used to compete in the high jump, came to college, got hurt a little bit, and never focused on the triple jump until my last year at the University of Tennessee.
“Brian’s been a huge mentor, teaching me little things because he’s a nerd for track and field. He knows so many little things.
“I can’t give enough thanks to him. Any questions I have, I call him, and he helps me out. He simplifies things.”
The text above only represents a small fraction of his comments, please watch the video interview in full to find out more.
Bernews will be providing comprehensive coverage of Bermuda’s athletes in the coming weeks, thanks to our sponsors Butterfield & Vallis, Auto Solutions, Clarien Bank and One Communications, and this video is part of our ‘Best interview the Best’ video series, which will be highlighting all of the athletes set to take part in the Olympics and Paralympics.
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