By Kayon Raynor
KINGSTON (Reuters) – Commonwealth Games champion Rasheed Broadbell romped to a world leading and career best 12.94 to win his first national 110m hurdles title on the final day of the Jamaican Championships on Sunday.
Broadbell held off the challenge of fast-finishing Olympic champion Hansle Parchment (13.12) and Orlando Bennett (13.19) and was not surprised by his time.
“I’ve been doing some work in training, running some fast times, so this is not surprising,” the 22-year-old told Reuters, adding that he was still building up to the world championships in August.
“It’s good to see that I can run a personal best here, even though I’m not really ready as yet, its just work in progress and things should get better going into Budapest.”
Two days after blazing to a world leading 10.65 to win the women’s 100m crown Shericka Jackson clocked an impressive 21.71 to win the 200m, finishing ahead of five-time 100m world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (22.26).
“I think the focus was really on the 100m at these championships but coach wanted me to run a couple 200s and I ran a season best here with 21.7 so I can’t complain,” Jackson told Reuters.
With a career best of 21.45 at the world championships last year, Jackson said she was not focused on breaking Florence Griffith-Joyner’s world record of 21.34 set in 1988.
“Once I’m having fun, once I’m focused on my lane and focused on me and training is going well then anything is possible, I won’t rule out any world record,” she said.
“But I’m not one of those athletes who will focus on it at every meet, if and when it comes, it comes.”
Jackson added that she was still uncertain whether she will go for the 100/200 double at Budapest.
“Coach Paul Francis and I really have to make up our minds, it is still on the table, but we will have to make that final decision about the sprint double at the world championship.”
Andrew Hudson retained his title in the men’s race in a time of 20.11 ahead of Rasheed Dwyer (20.26) and Tyquendo Tracey (20.48).
World under-20 triple jump record holder Jaydon Hibbert continued his impressive season with a leap of 17.68m to take his first national senior title.
“I was hoping for a personal best but I’ve learnt a lot today. I’m still young, I’m still growing in the sport,” the 18-year-old told Reuters.
“A lot of things happened today that never took place in the United States like the wind, it was very strong and I’ve never navigated such strong winds for the year,” he added.
“So to jump 17.68, behind the board, its nice overall and I’m happy for the victory.”
Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper battled through a strong headwind to win the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.64 and claim her third national title.
Sean Bailey won the men’s 400m in 44.48 and the women’s equivalent went to Nickisha Pryce (50.21)
Natoya Goule-Toppin won her ninth national 800m title in 1 minute, 58.89.
(Reporting by Kayon Raynor in Kingston; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
