Knight poised for first national 400m hurdles title

WHEN the women’s 400m hurdles gets under way at the National Senior Championships next week, the big question will be: Is it finally time for Andrenette Knight to shine and rise to the top?

In an event dominated by Janieve Russell and Rushell Clayton in recent years, Knight – who finished fourth last year after a costly error denied her what looked like a sure victory – will be aiming for her first senior title in the event.

She has been the most consistent Jamaican female in this event so far this season, performing well across all three Grand Slam Track meets. She capped off her strong early-season form with her first Diamond League victory recently, clocking a season’s best 53.67 seconds to win at the Rome Diamond League. The time makes her not only the fastest Jamaican this season but also ranks her sixth on the World Athletics Top List.

Knight, known for her explosive starts, has changed that approach this season. She has been running with more maturity and it has definitely paid off.

Defending champion Clayton has been the most consistent Jamaican in the event over the past few years, with bronze medal finishes at the World Athletics Championships in Doha (2019) and Budapest (2023), and a fifth-place finish at the Paris Olympic Games last year.

Clayton, who sustained an injury at the first Grand Slam meet in Kingston, was sidelined for several weeks but made her return at the Philadelphia Grand Slam meet and a few Diamond League events, often playing second fiddle to Knight. Her season’s best, 54.31, also set at the Rome Diamond League behind Knight, makes her the second-fastest Jamaican this season. She is a warrior and could very well make it back-to-back national titles.

Shiann Salmon, second in 2022 and third last year, will be hoping for another top-three finish and improve on her season’s best 54.62, recorded at the Miami Grand Slam meet where she placed fourth. She certainly has the potential to go much faster and could go all the way here.

Janieve Russell has been a model of consistency at the National Championships, winning back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021 and placing second last year. However, she is yet to compete in the event this season, and it will take a herculean effort for her to finish in the top three.

With no newcomers stepping up, former Vere Technical hurdler Sanique Walker, who finished second at the Racers Grand Prix in a personal best 55.78, leads the rest of the field. However, she will have her work cut out to break into the top three.

Knight has undoubtedly been the most consistent and impressive so far this season, and she looks poised to go all the way and capture her first senior national title.

Raymond Graham

TOP THREE

1. Andrenette Knight

2. Rushell Clayton

3. Shiann Salmon