Jharyl Bowry

Biography

Jharyl Bowry has known that he was destined to be the next great Canadian long jumper since he faulted on a jump in 2012 that would have equaled the Canadian record. He finished second at the 2012 Canadian Championships, but was short of the standard to qualify for the Olympic team. While attending Barton County Community College, Bowry was the NCAA runner-up indoors in 2011 and outdoors in 2012. He then transferred to Kansas State University, where he was a First Team All-American in 2013 after winning the Big 12 championship indoors and finishing second at the outdoor conference championship. He added another Big 12 indoor title in 2014.

PERSONAL

Family: Parents Desmond and Shelley Bowry… Older siblings Jabari, Jamaal, Julica… Younger siblings Julien, Jewell…. Partner Jasmine Balaga… Son Jaxon (born March 2012)… Getting into the Sport: First jumped at junior high track meet at age 13, setting an Ontario record for his age… Began taking it seriously at age 16 after he lost for the first time to his current day training partner… Outside Interests: Enjoys coaching children in athletics, recording music, cooking… Assistant coach at Take Flight Athletics… Earned scholarship to Kansas State University in 2013 where he is pursuing a sociology degree… Started a charity called Jump For Jacob, with proceeds going to Canadian triple jump champion Jacob Zorzella to assist with medical bills after he was shot in 2014, as well as bringing awareness about violence to the young track community… Odds and Ends: Nickname: War fly (given by his father as a joke)… Role model is 2008 Olympic champion Irving Saladino because he always jumped properly with flawless technique…

Before competition will listen to music in an isolated room and scream really loud to get the jitters out… Favourite quote: “There’s no reason to have a plan B because it distracts you from plan A” – Will Smith… Good luck charm is a pair of soccer socks…

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

PAC (junior): 2009 – 7^th

NACAC: 2012 – 4^th