In front of a capacity crowd,the unheralded Sydney University student jumped his way into the Olympic final.

Connor’s jump of 16.80m in the qualifying was exactly the same distance as his father jumped to finish 10th in the 2000 Olympic final.

No one was more surprised than Connor himself, who only realised he had qualified when he saw his name on the scoreboard finalist list.

“You dream of making it and I thought I was in the nick to make it,” said Connor, who is studying neuro and biomedical science. 

“I knew 80ish was going to make it and then I hit 81st round. 

“Now that I have made it, I don't know what I'm feeling. I didn't actually expect this, I didn't plan for this. 

“It was an anxious wait, the last three guys in the other group were all on like 16.79m, 16.77m and they were good jumpers, so I really was worried. 

“Then every jumper I was like, ‘Oh, he didn't pass’. Dad and I just looked at each other and just shrugged our shoulders. When it got to the end we're like, ‘Did I make it?’ 

“I didn't believe it until I saw it on the board as I was walking back.”

Connor was only two centimetres off his personal best set in Melbourne in February. with his opening jump.

The leading qualifier was Tokyo Olympic champion from Portugal Pedro Pichardo with 17.24m.

For Andrew, a father of five, the qualifying round was reminiscent of his experience from the 2000 Games, and made good on a promise to himself to ensure his son took every opportunity in Paris

“Connor really has nothing to lose and all to gain,” Andrew said.

“He just has to be brave and bold. That's been our motto all year. To be brave and bold and just go for it.

“He’s got nothing to lose. Every person he can get ahead of is a big scalp for him. He's 22, he's got a massive career ahead, hopefully a lot better than mine.”

The final will take place at 4:10am AEST 10 August.

Andrew Reid