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Rushell Clayton has revealed the strategy she has taken that will make her catch up with Sydney McLaughlin Levrone, Femke Bol & Co.
Jamaican 400-meter hurdler Rushell Clayton has her sights set on closing the performance gap with the world’s elite, including Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Anna Cockrell, and Femke Bol.
After a breakthrough season that saw her speed and strength surge, Clayton is ready to level up her competitive edge in 2024.
Clayton, known for her speed and resilience, was recently unveiled as one of the latest signees in Michael Johnson’s new Grand Slam Track League.
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05:30 - 13.11.2024
'It’s going to be loud and fun'- Jamaican star eagerly waiting for inaugural Grand Slam Track league
The Jamaican hurdler has explained the significance of having Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track League debut in Kingston, promising organisers that they will not regret the decision.
This high-profile series, which will bring together top talent across track events, promises Clayton the chance to compete regularly against the world’s best athletes. Joining her in this elite league are fellow 400m hurdlers Shamier Little and Jasmine Jones from the USA.
The past year has seen Clayton hit career milestones, recording personal bests of 51.81 seconds in the 400m and 52.51 seconds in the 400m hurdles. Her achievements this season include capturing the Jamaican national 400m hurdles title, Diamond League victories in Rabat and Oslo, and a fifth-place finish at the Paris Olympics in a time that underscored her growth.
Reflecting on her year with Citius Mag, Clayton expressed her optimism for the upcoming season.
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11:03 - 12.11.2024
Rushell Clayton agrees with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Dalilah Muhammad on evolution of 400m hurdles
The two-time world bronze medallist agrees with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Dalilah Muhammad that the 400m hurdles has evolved into a different race and there will be more records being broken with time.
“I have gotten faster and stronger. I have combined the two, so I am excited to see how I will perform next season because I keep getting faster and faster each season,” she shared.
Acknowledging the intensifying competition, Clayton remarked, “This year taught me so much. I went to an Olympic Games, and I was fifth in a time that would have won me my two previous medals at Worlds. So, it is kind of crazy—I’ve gotten faster, but the game has gotten faster.”
Despite the challenges, Clayton is confident that racing against the top athletes will push her limits even further. “I am pretty excited to race, and I know that once I put the work in, I will be running fast,” she said. “It’s the fastest people, and once you race the fastest people, you tend to be fast too.”
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11:17 - 13.11.2024
'Frustrated me so much' - When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone faced a career-defining dilemma
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone nearly took a step back in her career facing coaching struggles and technical frustrations.
A two-time World Championship bronze medalist, Clayton first earned the distinction in 2019, and again in 2023, where she set a personal best of 52.81 seconds.
Under the guidance of her coach, Reynaldo Walcott, and with the support of Andi Sports Management, Clayton is the first Jamaican woman since 2011 to break the 53-second barrier in the 400m hurdles.
With her blend of experience, determination, and a newly expanded race schedule, Clayton’s journey to the top promises to be one of the most exciting storylines to watch in the upcoming track season.
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