Hurdler Parchment champing at the bit
NATIONAL sprint hurdles record holder Hansle Parchment is relieved after winning the race of time to be ready for the August 10-18 IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia.
The 110-metre hurdles Olympic bronze medallist revealed that for a spell he feared the worse after injuring his ankle during warm-ups at the National Senior Trials in June.
But the 23-year-old is champing at the bit, having almost fully recovered from the unfortunate mishap.
“[It is] definitely a relief because at one point I thought I would be out for the rest of the season. As the weeks progressed I realised that it was getting better and better and I was able to do more and more things in training, so it’s definitely a great relief.
“I think I am at a level where I am comfortable enough to compete. It’s not healed 100 per cent, but it’s good enough to go out there and represent,” he told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday, moments before he and his coach Fitz Coleman left the island for Europe.
Coleman, who is also a member of the Jamaica team coaching staff to Moscow, assured the Observer that the towering runner will be “at the starting blocks” when the event begins.
Several prominent athletes were ruled out of contention for the 45-member Jamaican team for varying reasons.
Elite sprinters Veronica Campbell Brown, Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson were ineligible due to recent failed drug tests, while World Championship 100-metre title-holder Yohan Blake and multiple sprint relay gold medallist Michael Frater are still on the mend after injury and fitness worries.
Parchment, whose run of 13.05 seconds earlier this season stands as the Jamaican record, is hopeful that he can help to appease the supportive, but demanding local fans.
“I’m really thankful that I will be able to compete still and I’m just hoping that everything will go according to plan and I can go there and perform to the best.
“Much thanks to the fans and to the many supporters. I realise I have a lot of people behind me who want to see me do well, so the aim right now is just to focus on the goal ahead and give it my best shot,” said the University of the West Indies student.
Last year in London, Parchment won Jamaica’s first Olympic medal in the 110-metre hurdles event when he clocked a then national record 13.12 seconds in finishing third behind Americans Aries Merritt and Jason Richardson, respectively.