TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Sprint hurdler Broadbell believes he’s on schedule to peak at Paris Games
Jamaica’s two-time 110m hurdles champion Rasheed Broadbell says he is getting into shape at the right time as he aims to secure a medal for Jamaica at the Olympic Games in Paris, set for July 26 to August 11.
Action in athletics is scheduled to begin August 1.
Broadbell, among the world’s top sprint hurdlers, clocked 13.18 seconds to claim the national title at the National Stadium on Sunday.
He narrowly edged out Orlando Bennett, who also timed 13.18, and reigning Olympic champion Hansle Parchment who was third in 13.19.
Broadbell’s effort is the fastest by a Jamaican this year and ranks him 14th globally, trailing the American world leader Grant Holloway’s 12.86s.
The 23-year-old Broadbell told the Jamaica Observer that while his winning time at the National Championships falls short of his personal best of 12.94, he remains confident of achieving faster times this season.
“It was a really close race and I had to fight for it because I had to execute 10 barriers to the best of my abilities and I came out on top,” he said.
“That is not my personal best and so my body is rounding up into shape. Each race, I get faster and faster and so now I have a month out and it is just to do some extra preparations and get the real thing going.
“I haven’t been doing much speed work because I just stopped doing the gym this week (last week), so it is looking really good for me now because my body is coming into good condition right now,” Broadbell added.
He said he wants to leave his mark at the Olympic Games.
“I most definitely want to be on the podium this year because it is about time to do it. I have cemented myself in the game… I know that I am a true champion so it is about time to get it out of the way,” added Broadbell who is the 2022 Commonwealth Games 110 hurdles champion.
Despite struggling with injuries this season, Broadbell said he never lost hope, believing that once he regained full health, success would follow at the National Championships.
“The early season wasn’t looking too good, but I just trusted the process and just trusted God and remained focused on the goal,” he reflected.
