Jamaican hurdler Tyler Mason is revving up for a breakout year.

The 2014 World Junior Championship silver medalist has been pushing through injuries and adversity, fuelled by an unrelenting passion to dominate the 110 metres hurdles.

With his eyes firmly fixed on the ultimate prize, the 29-year-old athlete is first on a mission to secure his spot on Jamaica’s team for the 2025 World Championships set for September 13-21 in Tokyo, Japan.

In July 2023, Mason finished fourth at the Jamaican Athletics Championships at the National Stadium, clocking 13.22 seconds in the 110 metres hurdles. He followed this up with a third-place finish at the Diamond League event in Silesia, Poland, in 13.29 seconds. He was named as an alternate for the Jamaican team which competed at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

He was also subsequently selected to run for Jamaica at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow. In July 2024, he was officially selected as a reserve for the Jamaican team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“This year is very different,” Mason said, reflecting on his journey.

“Coming in fourth place in the National Trials last year and the year before, the coach decided to change up a few things in terms of injuries, just to keep me healthy. So on this path to greatness I am just staying grounded and looking to make the team and to medal this year,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Mason won the bronze medal at the 2016 NACAC Under-23 Championships in Athletics in the 110m hurdles, running 13.67 seconds to finish fourth on the day, later upgraded to a bronze medal after Puerto Rican race winner Will Barnes was disqualified due to a antidoping rules violation.

Mason, a former student of Jamaica College, is confident that his training is on track.

“Training is great. I can’t complain, as I am getting all the right stuff and trying to remain healthy. We are not trying to overdo anything. We are working on it, and I think we are definitely in good shape,” Mason said.

With his determination and resilience, Mason is poised to achieve his goal of making the 2025 World Championship team.

“The momentum right now is very good. I am just looking forward to great things. The main goal is to make the World Championship team,” he ended.

— Ruddy Allen