When competing in events like this summer’s upcoming Olympics, athletes often look to achieve advantages in training or preparation to gain a leg up on their opponents.

Triple jumper Brandon Jones, a member of this year’s Belize Olympic squad, is turning to Gloucester Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Center, Hayes, believing their treatments will help him compete at a higher level.

Jones ran track for the first time at the age of 9, but his competitive career began at Salem High School in Virginia Beach where he competed in the triple jump and seven other events. After graduating from Salem High School, Jones attended Hampton University where he was a member of the track and field team.

In 2013 Jones set a Belizean and Central American championship record for longest triple jump at 15.94 meters (roughly 52 feet) during an event in Nicaragua. Jones did this despite having recently suffered a hamstring injury and said he believes that if he can set a record while injured he should be able to jump even farther if competing when he is healthy.

Now Jones practices 3-5 hours a day with workouts consisting of lifting, a one-mile run, agility drills, dynamic stretching and sprints, coordinated by coach Aldrin Gray. Gray has volunteered his time with the athlete since 2005. Jones said of his coach, “He is a great mentor. If he sees that you want to work hard and succeed he will work just as hard with you.”

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