Jamaican 400m hurdles star Malik James-King is gearing up for an exciting 2025 season, with his recent signing as a Challenger for Grand Slam Track marking a significant step in his career. The 25-year-old, who ran a stunning personal best of 47.42 last year, is eager to build on his success and elevate his performance even further.

"Honestly, it's a great opportunity because they're picking the best of the best," James-King told Sportsmax.TV about joining Grand Slam Track. "To be among the top is really a good feeling. It shows that all the work I’ve put in is bringing results, and I’m excited to gain more exposure competing against elite athletes."

James-King's 2024 season saw him become only the second Jamaican, after Roshawn Clarke, to break 48 seconds in the 400m hurdles since Winthrop Graham’s national record of 47.60 was set in 1993. However, his Olympic campaign ended in heartbreak when he clipped the final hurdle in the semi-finals, narrowly missing a spot in the final.

Reflecting on that experience, James-King shared the lessons learned: "Never doubt yourself. Always stay focused. That moment when I hit the last hurdle—it was like my life flashed before my eyes. I was so close. But now, that experience has made me more mentally strong and even hungrier for success."

Determined to improve for 2025, he and his team have been refining his race execution, particularly focusing on the last two hurdles, which he identified as a weak point in 2024. He has also placed greater emphasis on strength training, a key factor he believes will make a significant difference this season.

"Last year, we focused more on speed than strength, and I realized when I needed the strength, it wasn’t there. So now we are prioritizing strength before speed, and I feel satisfied with where I am. As the season progresses, things should only get better," he explained.

With Grand Slam Track scheduled for early April, James-King acknowledged the need for a delicate balance in training, given that the World Championships are in September. "It's a little bit of both—preparing for Grand Slam Track while keeping in mind that the season is long. We are being strategic in our approach," he noted.

Looking ahead, James-King remains focused on consistency rather than targeting a specific time. "I'm leaving it up to the process. I trust my coach, and I trust my preparation. Just like last year, everything will fall into place."

So far this season, James-King has run the flat 400m in times of 47.18 and 46.77 at the Camperdown Classic and Gibson-McCook Relays, respectively.

Jamaica’s track and field community will be keenly watching as James-King takes on the world’s best at Grand Slam Track, using it as a stepping stone for what could be his most successful season yet.