TEN years after setting Jamaica’s 400m national record of 43.93 seconds, Rusheen McDonald believes he’s ready to break it — and silence his critics in the process.
The 32-year-old, running out of MVP Track Club, claimed his first-ever national title on Sunday night at the Jamaica National Championships in Kingston with a composed run of 44.89 seconds, holding off 21-year-old Delano Kennedy (44.91) and Jevaughn Powell (45.08) in a dramatic final. However, he just missed out on the qualifying standard of 44.85 for the World Athletics Championships. He believes he will get the mark once he leaves for Europe in the coming days.

As McDonald approached the finish line, he raised his right index finger to his lips in a bold gesture of defiance. It was not aimed at his competitors — it was aimed at his critics.
“The emotion [was] because of the doubters and the haters and the people who say, ‘Rusheen (go to) Türkiye because you don’t have any purpose in Jamaica,’” he said moments after crossing the line. “But I love Jamaica. I’m not going to change from Jamaica or anything. I just love Jamaica.”

His statement came against the backdrop of recent controversy in Jamaican athletics, where four athletes, including three Olympic medallists, are in the process of switching allegiance to Türkiye — sparking national debate about loyalty, opportunity, and support for elite athletes.

But McDonald, who has faced his own share of struggles and scrutiny, made his position clear.
“Jamaica is where I start from — my tender years in Jamaica,” he said. “So all the negative comments… that’s all of the hate and stuff like that. Not from my opponents, they get me. I respect every athlete. I talk to every athlete.”

Despite winning, McDonald wasn’t entirely satisfied with his performance on the clock.
“I never pleased with the time,” he admitted. “But thank God I finished the race.”

He believes better is coming and has his own national record of 43.93 in sight, especially with plans to sharpen up on the European circuit ahead of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
“When I go to Europe, I’m going to go hard — like 20.5 the first 200 — and then I can finish faster,” he said. “I put on a lot of weight over the years. I am a better weight right now. I’m eating healthy at the moment.”

Still boasting the foot speed of a 200m sprinter, McDonald believes that with the right competition like Steven Gardiner and Wayde van Neikerk, he can return to sub-44 form.
“When I get good competition, I’m going to get better time,” he said confidently. “I’m in good shape right now. Ready for run right now.” (Sportsmax)