After an injury-plagued 2024 season that hindered his title defence at the Paris Olympics, Hansle Parchment, the 2021 Olympic 110m hurdles champion, is refocusing on the fundamentals as he builds toward the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September. The two-time World Championship silver medallist (2015, 2023) and 2012 Olympic bronze medallist spoke with Sportsmax.TV at the launch of the 2025 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships at Stadium East in Kingston last week, detailing his new approach to training and competition.
Parchment, who finished outside the medals in Paris, acknowledged that last season was a disappointment but emphasized the value of learning from setbacks.
“I feel like every year we learn, and as I get older, I’ll learn more and more,” he said. “This year, what I’ve decided is to go back to the basics—go back to the things that I know work and really help to set a solid foundation. I want to make sure that I am well-prepared for the events to come.”
As part of this renewed approach, Parchment is incorporating additional recovery and flexibility training into his regimen to maintain peak physical condition.
“I’m spending more time in the pool, doing as much swimming as possible. I’m incorporating a little bit of yoga, proper stretching, and things like that,” he revealed. “I’m trying to go back to those things that I know are good to make sure that I stay healthy because, you know, without good health, you can’t perform to the best of your ability. And as you get older, flexibility becomes even more important.”
Photo courtesy of GraceKennedy Money Services
Parchment and fellow GraceKennedy Ambassador, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce having a good time at the recent launch of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships at Stadium East in Kingston.
Despite being an Olympic champion and multiple-time world medallist, Parchment acknowledges the weight of expectations but insists he does not feel pressured by them.
“I wouldn’t say I feel pressure, but I know there is expectation,” he admitted. “I know people are looking forward to seeing something great, and I can’t feel comfortable going out there knowing I’m not going to do my best.
“So, I want to spend the time now to do as much as possible to put myself in the best place, so I can really put my foot down when I step on the track and show what I can do. People know I can do well. I know I can do well. But it’s not just about knowing it—I have to put it out there.”**
With the 2025 season extending into late summer, culminating in the World Championships in Tokyo, Parchment and his team are carefully structuring his competition schedule to ensure he peaks at the right time.
– Photo courtesy of GraceKennedy Money Services
Parchment in conversation with Chaluk Richards, General Manager of GK General Insurances at the launch of the 2025 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships recently
“I believe my coach is a very smart man—Mr. Coleman really understands how to structure my training and competition schedule so that I’m ready at the right time,” he said. “We work closely together to make sure we race when we’re supposed to race and rest when we’re supposed to rest, so we can be ready when it matters most.”
Parchment is well aware of the intense competition among Jamaican sprint hurdlers. Last year’s Jamaican National Trials was one of the most tightly contested in recent memory, and with young talent emerging, securing a spot on the team for Tokyo 2025 will be no easy feat. However, the Olympic champion remains unfazed.
“When it comes to this sport, you have to always be confident,” he asserted. **“There’s no point in coming out if you’re not mentally ready to be the best.
“I don’t think any of the athletes step on the track thinking, ‘Oh, I don’t think I’ll make it.’ Even if you’re not completely ready, you go out there with the best mindset that you’re going to make it happen.
“So, that’s how I approach it—I get my mind ready first, and then I work on getting my body up to speed. If I can bring the two together, I know I’ll be on that team.”
