Personal best keeps Hansle Parchment in the hunt

AT THE National Championships in Jamaica, Rasheed Broadbell announced he was the country’s number-one sprint hurdler.

Coming off an injury at the World Championships that kept him out of its 110-metre final a year earlier, Olympic champion Hansle Parchment was certainly in his shadow.

But then Parchment won bronze in Budapest to erase the disappointment of Eugene a year earlier, and possibly help to take away some of the pain of Broadbell, crashing from competition.

He also produced a personal best, 12.93 seconds, over the barriers for the top time in the world in the event, closing out his season in style with a Diamond League title.

At Sunday’s CB UWI 5K run/walk, Parchment pointed out how important his personal best was to what is an Olympic year.

“It was a good season for me although I did not get the gold medal at the World Championships. I was still able to run a personal best in the event, something I have not done in years,” he said.

Running his personal best at the back end of the season has motivated him going into next season.

“Running that time has really motivated me and has given me a push going into the new season,” said Parchment.

During his career, one of his main problems was his start, something he is hoping to correct this season.

“My start has always been difficult but I am not worried as I am looking forward to improve on it and see what happens. With improvement here and with good technique, I definitely can get a good race together,” he said.

Still, Parchment will not be rushing his preparations for the Paris Olympic Games.

“It is a long season and I will not be rushing my preparation as I will be taking my time in preparing myself as best as possible, as I want to be at my best at the right time,” he said.

Parchment’s personal best last season suggests he could threaten the world record before he is threw sprinting.

“I am not going to stress too much on world records. I just want to focus getting out and having fun and continuing to represent the country well and hopefully, bring in more medals.”