Emotional Broadbell delighted to make first World Championships team
Another name will be added to the list of 110m sprint hurdlers to represent Jamaica at the World Athletics Championships when Rasheed Broadbell makes his senior international debut in Eugene, Oregon.
The former St Jago High School standout had a breakout year last year and seemed destined to represent the country at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Broadbell’s season was so good last year that he was even the world leader in the event for a short while as he set a personal best 13.10s.
But then, tragedy struck and his season was curtailed by a hamstring injury that saw him miss the National Championships and miss out on the chance of qualification.
A switch in camp from MVP Track Club to Elite Performance Track Club at the end of last season has seen the resurgence of the 21-year-old who finally claimed a place on the national team when he powered to 13.20s for second place behind his hero Hansle Parchment in the final of the event at the National Championships last Sunday.
An emotional Broadbell could not contain his excitement at making the team after another recent mishap threatened to derail his senior career for a second time.
“Two weeks ago, I got a scare. My left hamstring tightened up and I was sure it was over again this season, so to be here right now, crossing the line healthy, I didn’t even pay attention to the time because I haven’t race in a month and a half,” he explained.
“Two weeks ago, I couldn’t train, I had one or two sessions before I came here but I am just grateful. A lot of feelings are going through me right now,” he explained.
Making the team came as a surprise to Broadbell after what he has been through in the last few weeks.
“I can’t believe I actually made it, after being out,” he exclaimed.
But now that he has punched his ticket to Oregon, the tall sprinter is ready to rock and roll in the black, green and gold.
“It could get crazy. I just need to stay healthy for this next two weeks or three weeks. It’s gonna get crazy.”
Topping things off for Broadbell is the fact that he will get to compete alongside Parchment at the championships which begin on July 15.
“As I said earlier this season, I look up to the guys, to make the team right now, it’s just a lot of emotions. I can’t wait,” he beamed.
— Dwayne Richards
