Jamaica’s 400m hurdles national record holder Roshawn Clarke delivered another reminder of his growing stature in the sport with a sizzling 44.98 lifetime best over the flat 400m at Velocity Fest 16 on Saturday. The time, set at Jamaica College, marked the first time the 20-year-old has dipped under 45 seconds and is further proof that he’s on track for a potentially historic 2025 season.
But while Clarke's performance turned heads, his coach Okeile Stewart believes one of the key factors behind this jump in performance has been the presence of training partner Javier Brown, who also impressed with a third-place finish in 45.62 behind Deandre Watkin, who clocked 45.59 for second.
Javier Brown
“This year, we have a training partner that can keep toe-to-toe with him in Javier Brown,” Stewart told Sportsmax.TV. “And I believe that has helped to get him to where he’s at right now.”
Clarke, who set the Jamaican 400m hurdles record with 47.34 in 2023, is being methodically prepared to break the 47-second barrier in 2025—a mark that only a select few in world history have achieved.
Stewart explained that Saturday’s breakthrough didn’t surprise him. The signs, he said, had been there for some time.
“I’ve always believed Roshawn could go 44 from even before this season. The training was showing that he was capable of bettering his previous best of 45.24. It was just about executing the race properly,” he said. “Today (Saturday), I saw solid execution. There are still areas to improve, but a PR is a PR—and we’ll gladly take that.”
While Clarke's flat speed is evidently improving, Stewart was quick to emphasize that the hurdles technique—which remains central to Clarke’s championship prospects—has been a work in progress.
“We’ve always been trying to tweak the technique. Sometimes you get it right in training, but it’s different in competition. The trust in the technique isn’t always there yet, especially at race pace. That’s something we’re still developing,” he said.
The 2025 season presents new challenges with the Grand Slam Track Series forcing athletes to be sharp earlier than usual. Stewart, however, said he isn’t rushing the preparation.
“April isn’t usually when you want to be peaking,” he noted. “But we are managing it. The aim is to be at our best for the World Championships in September. What we’ve done differently this year is focus on maturity—Roshawn is more composed, he understands his body better. That’s what’s making the difference.”
Clarke is expected to open his 400m hurdles campaign at the Grand Slam meet in two weeks—his first competition in the event for the season. Stewart says there’s no specific target time, but the intention is clear: to be on the podium, come September.
“To win at this level, it will take 46 or better,” Stewart admitted. “And we are working towards being in that conversation.”
As for what’s next, the focus remains on the Grand Slam series and potentially some Diamond League appearances, depending on the advice from Clarke’s manager, Cubie Segobin.
“We’ll sit with the manager and plan carefully. The Grand Slam is important, but so is testing ourselves against the world. So, the Diamond League is on our radar too,” Stewart concluded.