Parchmnent working hard to secure gold in Rio

Despite the "unpredictable" and highly technical nature of the 110-metre hurdles, 25-year-old Hansle Parchment believes he has enough experience and confidence to upstage his main rivals and win Jamaica's' first-ever gold in this event at this year's Rio Olympics in Brazil.

"Everyone is potentially a medal winner, it (110m hurdles) is a very unpredictable event and anyone can win," said Parchment, adding "very, very difficult in my discipline. Sometimes you are very relaxed and that's when you are running faster, sometimes you tense a bit and that's when you slow down. So it's unpredictable."

He first crafted his hunt for supremacy with gold at the 2011 World University Games.

Parchment is now Jamaica's most successful hurdler, courtesy of an Olympic bronze medal from the 2012 London Olympics and silver at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, last year.

"You don't know when you will run fast. You just have to work on your technique and set goals each time, and go with God," he continued.

With regard to this summer's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he said of his target: "Gold. I am aiming for the highest, once I am healthy.

"I am working really hard and I feel I can be among the top three," he told The Gleaner.

13-SECOND BARRIER

The former University of the West Indies athlete also holds a place in local history as the first Jamaican to break the magical 13-second barrier.

"I am very positive, I feel good, and remaining healthy is the main aim for this season. Once I can keep healthy, I will perform very well and I am really looking towards the Olympics this year, I think it will be great for a lot of people," Parchment said, while tipping himself to medal.

Coached by the legendary Fitz Coleman, Parchment has already achieved what former outstanding Jamaican hurdles giants like Keith Gardner and Maurice Wignall before him did not.

He, however, maintains not taking anything for granted.

"I work tirelessly on getting my technique better each year. With this hard work that I am putting in, I want to give some really great performances this year."