HUBERT LAWRENCE, STAR Writer

LAST week, Fedrick Dacres won Jamaica's first ever Pan-American Games gold medal in the discus throw.

His coach, Julian Robinson, said Dacres, who is also Jamaica's first World Youth and World Junior discus winner, has been through a lot to earn his latest success.

The lanky thrower came close to his coach's distance target at the Games in Toronto and is building towards next month's World Championships.

Referring to injuries Dacres has suffered in the last few seasons, coach Robinson said, "To see him come and win now, it really, warms my heart, and I was happy for him because he has had disappointments."

The gold medal in Toronto came with a winner measured at 64.80 metres. That was just short of the 65m mark Robinson believes is required of throwers who seek World Championship medals.

"At the World Championships, you're going to have a qualifying round and typically," he postulated, "people who advance to the top 12 will have to throw in the region of 65.

"I reason that for him to get a medal, he will need to produce at least two 65m throws," he added.

Dacres produced two 64m efforts in Toronto, his winning throw and another effort of 64.40.

Prior to a mid-season biceps injury, Dacres produced throws measured at 66.40 and 66.30m.

Since his return to competition, he took top spot in last month's National Senior Championships.

He will continue to build strength, power, and technique as the World Championships approach.

"I think that in the 30-odd days that remain, we can do some more work so that we're in a better position going into the World Championships,"said Robinson.