Jamaican Cookery

Rasheed Broadbell, Jamaica’s top sprint hurdler and Olympic bronze medallist, will apply for a medical exemption after being forced to withdraw from the men’s 110m hurdles final at the National Championships due to injury. The news, confirmed on Irie FM morning sports report, sets the stage for a tense selection decision ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.

Broadbell, who suffered a cut during warm-up after hitting a hurdle, did not start the final. However, his #2 world ranking makes him eligible under the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) policy, which allows top three world ranked athletes to be considered for selection if they can prove fitness before the final team submission.

Meanwhile, Tyler Mason, who placed third in the final with a time of 13.22 seconds, met the World Athletics qualifying standard of 13.27 and was poised to make his first senior global team. But Broadbell’s exemption bid could change everything.

According to JAAA rules, if a medical exemption is granted, the athlete may be selected in place of the third-place finisher; meaning Mason’s spot is now in jeopardy.

“It’s a cruel twist,” said one coach. “Tyler did everything right, he showed up, ran the time, and earned his place. But the rules favor medal potential, and Broadbell has proven that on the world stage.” Broadbell’s camp has not yet confirmed when or where he will attempt to prove fitness, but the clock is ticking. The final team must be submitted in the coming weeks.
For now, Mason continues to train, hoping that his performance and persistence will be enough to keep him on the plane