Coach Coleman backs Parchment for gold in Eugene

Veteran local hurdles coach Fitz Coleman says this year’s 110 metres hurdles event at the World Athletics Championships is going to be a pulsating contest, but he is very confident that his charge, Hansle Parchment, will come out on top in the event.

Parchment, who is the reigning Olympic 110m hurdles champion, has been in immaculate form this season. He is currently the country’s number one hurdler this year with a time of 13.09 seconds. American Devon Allen is the fastest man in the world this year with a time of 12.84.

Parchment, who is still seeking his first World title, won a silver medal at the 2015 World Championships. He then finished eighth in the 2017 final in London, before missing the 2019 Championships due to injuries.

DETERMINED

According to Coleman, the 32-year-old Parchment, who has been very consistent this season, is very focused and determined to go one better in Eugene, Oregon, this year.

“He is quite confident about his ability to go there and perform well,” Coleman said.

“He is naturally excited about the whole idea of winning the gold, and he wants to go there and compete intensely and come out number one; and that will definitely be the icing on the cake. There is no pressure on him because first and foremost, he is not the defending champion. He wants what everybody else wants and that is to be number one; and that is the intended purpose going into the championships, and we are hoping that will be the case,” he added.

Coleman pointed out that Parchment, who has a personal best time of 12.94, has been training quite well going into the event, but he cannot predict the time that he will run at the championships.

“I don’t want to give any kind of predictions when it comes down to time, because you are talking about an event that is highly technical and an obstacle course, and therefore, anything can happen,” he said.

“However, what I can tell you is that he definitely will be running fast,” Coleman said.

The veteran coach also stated that the 110m hurdles is also one of the most competitive events at the World Championships, therefore he is expecting a close contest.

“It is going to be very competitive because it is a world event, and you are going to have the cream of the global hurdlers there; and therefore, nobody can go there and feel that they have won it,” Coleman said. “When you have these major competitions, there is always the changing of the guard; people preparing to take over and people knocking on the door, and therefore it will definitely be a humdinger and he is looking forward to it.”