NATIONAL 400m record holder Rusheen McDonald is setting his sights on breaking his own record and earning an individual spot on the Jamaican team for the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, in September.

McDonald kick-started his season with an impressive victory in the Men’s 400m at the Gibson McCook Relays at the National Stadium on Saturday, clocking 45.53 seconds.

“I want to make it to the World Championships and get an individual spot on the team because I am tired of running the 4x400m relays,” McDonald said. “I am going to show Jamaica that I am the national record holder— and probably I will break it [record] this year.”

The 32-year-old McDonald, who is the reigning World Indoor bronze medallist, currently holds the Jamaican 400m record of 43.93.

Despite winning his season opener, McDonald said he is not yet competing at full throttle.

“I am okay with the performance, as I wasn’t running to my full potential; I was cramping up because they had us out here too long before the start of the race. But, it is a good way to open the season because I wasn’t watching the time.

“As long as I finished the race healthy, I am okay — and I did that.”

He noted that his main focus this season is continuous improvement.

“My training has been going well so far, because I am just focusing on getting better with each race and not focusing on any times or anything else,” he said.

“Mentally, I am good because I am around people like Rasheed Broadbell, and he motivates me. There are a lot of people in my life who motivate me to go hard every day.”

However, McDonald pointed out that he is not sure if he will compete at next month’s World Indoor Championships to be held in Nanjing, China.

— Robert Bailey