Jamaican 400m sprinter Rusheen McDonald, the holder of the national 400m record, is looking to push past his current limits as he targets another breakthrough in his career. With the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, fast approaching in September, McDonald is determined to earn his place on the team for the individual 400m race.
In his season opener at the Gibson McCook Relays held at the National Stadium on Saturday, McDonald secured a solid victory in the Men’s 400m event, crossing the line in 45.53 seconds. However, his focus is already firmly set on breaking his own national record of 43.93 seconds, which has stood for several years.
“I’m aiming for that individual spot at the World Championships,” McDonald shared. “I’ve had my fill of running in the 4x400m relays, and now it’s time to show the world and the country that I’m capable of doing it on my own. I feel like this year could be the year I break my own record.”
Although pleased with the result, McDonald admitted that his performance was not a true reflection of his full potential. “I wasn’t fully pushing myself today, and I struggled with cramping because of how long we were waiting before the race started,” he explained. “But overall, I’m happy with the outcome. I just wanted to finish healthy, and I did that.”
Looking forward, McDonald has set his sights on improving with each race and is focused on the process of refining his technique and speed. “I’m taking things one step at a time, focusing on getting better with every race. The times will come, but right now I’m just focusing on my improvement.”
The 32-year-old sprinter, a World Indoor Championships bronze medalist, also credits his mental focus to the support of fellow athletes like Rasheed Broadbell, who help keep him motivated through the daily grind of training. “Being surrounded by people who inspire me makes all the difference,” McDonald said.
While McDonald is still uncertain about competing in the upcoming World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, his resolve for the outdoor season remains clear. With Tokyo on the horizon, McDonald is ready to push his limits and prove that he’s still one of the world’s top 400m runners.
