Former Hurdler Backs Orlando Bennett to ‘Surprise’ in Tokyo

Former Jamaican hurdler and 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Maurice Wignall, believes reigning national champion Orlando Bennett could pull a surprise at the highly anticipated World Championships in Tokyo, Japan come September. 

Wignall shared that after seeing the 25-year-old Bennett at the national trials throughout the rounds, he has what it takes to rub shoulders with the best in the world. 

Bennett’s time of 13.10 to win the Jamaica national trials ranks him as the eleventh fastest in the event in 2025.

However, Wignall believes this period of time prior to the World Championships will be critically important as athletes need to be running regularly to keep sharp in time for the Games. 

Wignall, the country’s former national record holder in the event, thinks a sub-13 clocking should be good enough to grab the gold medal later this summer. 

Maurice Wignall.