Bennett primed for medal charge with 110m hurdles PB
...Broadbell and Olympic champion Parchment also through to final
PARIS, France — Having clocked a massive personal best time in the semi-finals of the men’s 110m hurdles event at the Olympic Games, Orlando Bennett is hoping to produce another spectacular performance as he eyes a podium finish in this afternoon’s final at the Stade de France.
The race is scheduled to start at 2:45 pm Jamaica time.
Bennett will lead three Jamaican hurdlers into the final with his effort of 13.09 seconds.
The other Jamaicans in the final are defending Olympic champion Hansle Parchment and national champion Rasheed Broadbell.
Bennett’s time erased his previous best of 13.18, which he achieved at the National Championships in June. The 24-year-old, who is coached by the legendary Glen Mills at the Racers Track Club, will be competing in his first global final as a senior athlete.
He said he is in the form of his life and is confident he can secure a medal for Jamaica in today’s final.
“Most definitely, the podium is the aim, and I am just going to come out here guns blazing in the final,” Bennett told the Jamaica Observer. “I am feeling great, and so it is all in God’s hands for tomorrow [today]. I just need to continue what I am doing and just do it faster because I am ready as I can be.”
Bennett, the silver medallist at the World Under-20 Championships in Finland in 2018, noted that he was very surprised with his time in the semi-final of the competition.
“I am feeling great. I came out here with a mindset to make the final, and I have achieved it. Knowing that I have been to so many World Games and not made the final, I came out here and got it right, and I am grateful to God. I was shocked; I wasn’t really expecting a personal best. I was just determined to make the final, and I am just grateful that I got it.”
Broadbell secured his spot in the final after winning his semi-final in 13.21. Parchment, who has been having an up-and-down season, booked his spot in the final after finishing third in his semi-final with a season’s best equalling 13.19.
Hansle Parchment of Jamaica competes in the 110m hurdles semi-finals during the Olympic Games at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Wednesday.
Rasheed Broadbell of Jamaica competes in the 110m hurdles semi-finals during the Olympic Games at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Wednesday.
