Olympic Champion Omar McLeod Breaks Jamaican Record in 110-Meter Hurdles at Jamaican Championships

By Adam Kopet, DyeStat Editor

Omar McLeod had already made a big impact in the hurdles. In 2016 he won the World Indoor title in the 60-meter hurdles and then followed that with Olympic gold in the 110-meter hurdles in Rio. Now he has added the Jamaican record to his accolades in his win at the Jamaican Championships.

According to Noel Francis, writing for the IAAF, McLeod lined up against Ronald Levy and Hansle Parchment in the final. Parchment held the previous record at 12.94, set three years ago. Levy ran stride for stride with McLeod through the first three hurdles before McLeod shifted gears and separated himself from the field.

McLeod crossed the finish line in 12.90. Levy finished second in 13.13 and Parchment was third in 13.19. The wind reading was 0.7 meters per second, low enough to give McLeod the record.

"It was a great race, I wanted to show my home crowd what a sub-13 looks like," McLeod told reporters. My coach wanted 12.8 and I know he's not going to be happy but I got a PR and national record."

McLeod's time makes him #5 all-time in the event. The win, his third national title, makes him eligible to compete at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in London.