Broadbell trusting divine timing
Sprint hurdler clocks 12.94 seconds world lead at National Championships
Published:Monday | July 10, 2023 | 12:16 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
Trusting on divine timing, Commonwealth Games 110 metres hurdles champion and RJRGLEANER Sportsman of the Year Rasheed Broadbell believes that the 12.90-second mark that he is aiming for is within reach even after smashing his personal best and setting a new world lead for the event weeks before the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Broadbell won his first national 110m hurdles title, clocking 12.94 seconds, as the curtain came down on the JAAA National Senior and Junior Championships last night. Olympic champion Hansle Parchment was second in 13.12 and Orlando Bennett was third in 13.19.
Thankful for the support from his family and trusting his faith, Broadbell says that he believes that the 12.90 mark is around the corner.
“I have to give God thanks. I got a personal best today (last night). I was aiming for lower. But with God nothing is impossible. He is just saying that it is not time yet. I have a few more weeks until the World Championships, so I am just going to put in the work and see how far we can get,” Broadbell said after the race.
It is the first time this season that Broadbell has gone under 13 seconds, the mark coming much earlier than last season when he clocked 12.99 last August, which was, up until last night, his personal best.
Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper became a three-time national hurdles champion, winning the title in 12.64. Ackera Nugent was second in 12.67 and former World champion Danielle Williams was third in 12.82.
Tapper expressed gratitude for her achievement as well as the work she has done in her first season with Elite Performance.
“Sometimes you have the fire in your heart, but sometimes the faith and the hope are not there. But God renewed my hope, He renewed my faith. I came out and executed with His help. And I am on the plane. I’m really grateful to be in his (Reynaldo Walcott’s) camp and to be under his watchful eye,” Tapper said.
World 200m champion Shericka Jackson retained her 200m title, completing the national sprint double in a comfortable performance, clocking 21.71 seconds. Reigning World 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce took second place with 22.26. Lanae-Tava Thomas was third in 22.55.
Andrew Hudson successfully defended his national 200m title, clocking 20.11 for victory after not competing since April. Rasheed Dwyer was second in 20.26, and Tyquendo Tracey was third in 20.48.
For Hudson, it was a moment 12 months in the making after the transfer of allegiance did not go through in time for him to compete last year.
“I wish I went to the World Championships last year, but, you know, it’s God’s timing. With the mishaps this year and everything that I have gone through this year with injuries and this being my second race since April, what can I say? I’m happy just to be here,” Hudson said.
In the 400m, Sean Bailey won the men’s title in 44.48 seconds with Antonio Watson finishing second in 44.54 and Jevaughn Powell third in 45.19. For the women, Nickisha Pryce won her first national title, clocking 50.21. Janieve Russell was second in 50.76, and Candice McLeod was third in 51.01.
In the field, Jaydon Hibbert won back-to-back national triple jump titles with a leap of 17.68m on his fourth attempt. Rajindra Campbell took the men’s shot put title in 21.04 while the women’s Javelin was won by G’Nea Pitt, with a throw of 45.03m.