National title within touching distance for Wilson

National senior 400-metre hurdles representative Assinie Wilson says he is determined to give his all as he seeks to capture his first national title at this week's JAAA/PUMA National Championships at the National Stadium.

Wilson, who is coached by Gregory Little at Titans Track Club, enters the championships as the fastest Jamaican in the event this season after clocking a personal and season's best 48.29 seconds at the National Stadium in March.

Wilson noted that winning his maiden national crown would be a major milestone in his career.

"If I get this title under my name, I will feel very good about it because this will be my first national title, and this is definitely something that I need right now," he said. 

"I just need to take it easy and try and get through the first round and then just give it my all once I get to the final," Wilson said.

The championships, scheduled for June 18-21, is expected to produce intense competition, but Wilson is focused on delivering his best performance when it matters most.

"I want to run a personal best because for you to win at trials, you have to be running fast times, but I don't want to really say times. I am looking to run a personal best there," Wilson stated. 

Wilson credits his recent progress to improvements in training and says he is currently in a much better place physically than he was earlier in the season.

"I am feeling good at the moment because based on my training, things are looking up at the moment. I have been training much better now than I did three months ago, and so I am feeling well within myself," he explained.

Despite his encouraging form, Wilson highlighted that he is still dealing with the lingering effects of a medical condition that disrupted his performance at last year's World Athletics Championships.

Following his appearance at the global championships, Wilson disclosed that he had been battling a serious illness that required surgery estimated to cost approximately $2 million.

He underscored that the procedure has not yet been completed, and he continues to undergo regular medical evaluations.

"I have still not gotten over my illness because sometimes, I have a lot of headaches, and so forth, but I just have to live with it. So I am fighting through because I have another appointment to see the doctor on the 26th of this month," Wilson said.