Clutch - ‘Championship performer’ Omar McLeod heads list of Jamaican medal hopefuls competing today in Doha

DOHA, Qatar:

With Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and the mixed 4x400m relay team adding to Jamaica’s tally last night, defending world 110m hurdles champion Omar McLeod is backing himself to also deliver at the 2019 World Championships despite a season of uncertainties.

McLeod, who also won gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, actually changed his coaching arrangement, moving to Rana Reider’s camp in the middle of the season, after a sub-par early campaign that levelled doubts on his ability to return to the podium here in Doha.

A time of 13.07 seconds in his last outing shows that he has got his swagger back, and his confidence was clearly never in doubt. Now with competition about to get under way inside the Khalifa Stadium, the 25-year-old is sounding a warning to his rivals and promising a special performance.

“I am a championship performer. You guys have seen it over the years – something happens to me when the lights are on and it’s a big moment. I live for it, and I am ready to get started. I know exactly what to do. I trust my fitness, I trust my coach, I trust God, and I will make it happen,” McLeod said ahead of today’s heats, which get under way at 8:05 p.m. (12:05 p.m. Jamaica time).

“World leader or not, it’s all about what happens at the championships. Coming to the championships, I always like to go in as the underdog somewhat, but none of that plays a factor in what you do at the championships,” he reasoned.

McLeod, whose 12.90 seconds ranks him as the joint fifth-best sprint hurdler of all time, will be joined in the event by Commonwealth champion Ronald Levy, Andrew Riley, and Orlando Bennett.

“I want to make sure that I line up tomorrow (today) ready, no doubts, no fear, no second guesses. I just want to go out there and make sure that I am ready to defend the title. Champions know what to do, and I made the adjustment to make sure I am in the best situation possible to defend the title, and I am ready to go,” McLeod added in reference to his coaching change.

“Honestly, when you are driven and you are encouraged and want something so badly, you are willing to do what it takes, and it’s not so hard for me. I think it’s your job to make sure you put yourself in the best situation and I think I did just that and me and the coach, we vibed, we gelled. I had two months to get in shape and that’s a lot of time to get in shape, so I made the switch,” said McLeod. “I knew I needed to do that. I had to be honest with myself; I knew I looked like a mess out there. I will do whatever it takes. I will make it happen.”

MEDAL TALLY BOOST

With Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (10.71 seconds) winning gold in the women’s 100m last night and the mixed 4x400m relay team of Nathon Allen, Roneisha McGregor, Tiffany James and Javon Francis (3:11.78) taking silver, Jamaica’s medal tally moved to three (two gold, one silver) after three days of action here.

Fedrick Dacres, will line up in the men’s discus final at 9:15 p.m. (1:15 p.m.), while Natoya Goule will feature in the women’s 800m final at 10:10 p.m. (2:10 p.m.). Both arrived at the championships with the second-best marks in their respective events and will like their changes of making it to the podium today.

All three Jamaicans advanced to the men’s 200m semi-finals set for 8:50 p.m. (12:50 p.m.) after yesterday’s heats.

Yohan Blake was second in his heat with 20.23 seconds, while Rasheed Dwyer, 20.37, finished third, with André Ewers, 20.41, being reinstated after a successful Jamaican protest after originally being disqualified for a lane violation following his fourth-placed finish in his heat.

The women will start their 200m campaign at 5:05 p.m. (9:05 a.m.) with Elaine Thompson looking to bounce back from her fourth-place finish in the 100m, alongside Shashalee Forbes and Schillonie Calvert-Powell.

Shericka Jackson, who is said to be in superb shape, clubmate Stephenie-Ann McPherson and Anastasia Le-Roy will face the starter in the women’s 400m heats starting at 6:20 p.m. (10:20 a.m.).

Today’s full IAAF World Championships schedule:

8:30 a.m. Women’s Javelin Throw Qual A

9:05 a.m. Women’s 200m Heats

10:00 a.m. Women’s Javelin Throw Qual B

10:20 a.m. Women’s 400m Heats

12:05 p.m. Men’s 110m Hurdles Heats

12:30 p.m. Women’s High Jump Final

12:50 p.m. Men’s 200m Semi-final

1:15 p.m. Men’s Discus Throw Final

1:20 p.m. Men’s 5000m Final

1:50 p.m. Women’s 3000m Steeplechase Final

2:10 p.m. Women’s 800m Final

2:40 p.m. Men’s 400m Hurdle Final