In mid-May 2021 Rasheed Broadbell was flying high.
With times of 13.15 on May 17 and 13.10 five days later, the former St Jago High hurdler was among the best in the world and it seemed all but certain that that summer he would have been on a plane to the Tokyo Olympics as a part of a medal contending trio ready to take on the world.
However, mere days before Jamaica’s national championships were set to begin, Broadbell suffered an injury that derailed his season and his chance to compete at his very first Olympics.
Fast forward to 2022 and Broadbell is once again among Jamaica’s best hurdlers with times of 13.31 on April 23 and 13.36 on May 21 at the JAAA/SDF Jubilee Series at the National Stadium in Kingston. The only two Jamaicans faster this year are the Tokyo Olympic champion Hansle Parchment and 2016 champion Omar McLeod 13.17.
The 21-year-old Broadbell has more than good health on his side this year. He is also armed with very important lessons learned from last season.
“I have started taking the strength programme more seriously and started going to bed early, little adjustments like eating correctly, staying focused and going hard every day in training,” he told Sportsmax.TV following his 13.31 run at the National Stadium a week ago, admitting that those changes have been making a difference.
“This is the strongest I have felt in a while, feeling stronger than last year so when the day comes and I get to the light phase it’s going to be crazy.”
Not making the Olympic team last year stung and it has been the motivation behind the changes for Broadbell, who last season moved from the MVP Track Club to Renaldo Walcott’s Elite Performance group where he is now training with the likes of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and World Championship bronze medallist Rushell Clayton.
“Last year was very promising, (to get hurt one week before the trials) anybody would be devastated,” he said. “So, this year, I am just trying to stay focused, stay healthy and locked in every day.”
Not that he needs any additional motivation, but Broadbell said he is both inspired and motivated going up against a deep pool of Jamaican sprint hurdles that in addition to Parchmentm McLeod as well as fellow rising talents Orlando Bennett, Damion Thomas, Phillip Lemonius and Lafranz Campbell.
“I look up to the older guys. Been watching them crushing it so I always want to come and see if I can match up to them and even do great things just like them. It’s good, the rivalry. It’s good,” he said.