McDonald satisfied with season opener; plotting course for World Championships

NATIONAL 400m file holder Rusheen McDonald is setting his sights on breaking his personal file and incomes a person spot on the Jamaican workforce for the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, in September.

McDonald kick-started his season with a powerful victory within the Males’s 400m on the Gibson McCook Relays on the Nationwide Stadium on Saturday, clocking 45.53 seconds.

“I wish to make it to the World Championships and get a person spot on the workforce as a result of I’m bored with operating the 4x400m relays,” McDonald stated. “I’m going to indicate Jamaica that I’m the nationwide file holder— and doubtless I’ll break it [record] this yr.”

The 32-year-old McDonald, who’s the reigning World Indoor bronze medallist, at the moment holds the Jamaican 400m file of 43.93.

Regardless of profitable his season opener, McDonald stated he isn’t but competing at full throttle.

“I’m okay with the efficiency, as I wasn’t operating to my full potential; I used to be cramping up as a result of they’d us out right here too lengthy earlier than the beginning of the race. However, it’s a good solution to open the season as a result of I wasn’t watching the time.

“So long as I completed the race wholesome, I’m okay — and I did that.”

He famous that his most important focus this season is steady enchancment.

“My coaching has been going effectively up to now, as a result of I’m simply specializing in getting higher with every race and never specializing in any occasions or the rest,” he stated.

“Mentally, I’m good as a result of I’m round individuals like Rasheed Broadbell, and he motivates me. There are lots of people in my life who encourage me to go onerous every single day.”

Nonetheless, McDonald identified that he’s undecided if he’ll compete at subsequent month’s World Indoor Championships to be held in Nanjing, China.

— Robert Bailey