Jamaica 110m hurdles bronze medallist Hansle Parchment admits he expects a tough and competitive event at the country’s national trials in June.
Following a few injury-hampered seasons, the 30-year-old former national record holder feels he is once again beginning to re-discover his best form. Parchment has a resume that boasts a bronze medal from the Olympic Games in 2012 and silver medal at the 2015 Beijing World but, in a hurdles field increasingly packed with quality, neither guarantees a spot to Tokyo.
Reigning Olympic champions and current national record holder Omar McLeod obviously leads the pack. 2018 Jamaica national champion Ronald Levy will also be in the mix, but a pair of NCAA athletes Rasheed Broadbell and Damion Thomas could really stir up the pot. Both have already recorded excellent times this season.
“I think it’s good for hurdling to see more athletes pushing out fast times. It’s going to be very competitive and very exciting, so I am looking forward to the competition,” Parchment said in a recent television interview.
The athlete, who has added swimming as part of his background preparation, admits he feels in good shape.
“I already feel very good. I feel like I am getting a lot of strength from swimming alone. So, I am ready excited to get back out on the track. So, I’m just taking it slowly, all being well I should be ready for the national trials in June.