McPherson thrilled about Diamond, World Champs spot

Andre Lowe

Special Projects Editor - Sports

BRUSSELS, Belgium:

A Diamond Trophy, a wildcard entry to next year's World Championships in London, where there will be four Jamaican women in the 400m, Stephenie-Ann McPherson had quite a few reasons to pleased as she made her way off the King Baudouin Stadium track at the Brussels Memorial van Damme Diamond League meet yesterday.

The 27 year-old was the third athlete across the line but the only woman who could have beaten her to the title - Natasha Hastings, was some way behind in fifth place, resulting in a positive end to an up-and-down season for the Jamaican, who already has her mind on the one to come.

"Winning is the most important thing because you also already secure your World Championships position, so I am really happy about that," said McPherson, who clocked 50.51 to finish behind Caster Semenya, who is known more for her 800m prowess but managed a personal best 50.40 with American Courtney Okolo, who was also clocked at 50.41 getting second place.

Olympic bronze medallist Shericka Jackson, 50.73 was fourth with Hastings sixth in 50.84.

"To know that you will have four Jamaicans in the 400m at the World Championships in London next year is a very good thing and that is the most important thing and I'm also looking forward to try something new - a different event at the National Championships next year," added McPherson.

Diamond League winners as well as defending world champions are given wild card entries in their event to the next World Championships, meaning that Jamaica will have four athletes competing in the women's 400m - McPherson plus the three selected from the National Senior Championships next year.

McPherson has also shared that she is in discussion with her coach Stephen Francis to experiment with the 400m hurdles event next season and her not having to qualify for the flat event at trials will give her that opportunity there.

"We will talk some more about it when I get back home so it's really up to him (Francis), if and when I run the 400m hurdles," McPherson noted adding that she didn't think too much about the threat of Hastings where the Diamond Race was concerned.

"I wasn't nervous about her at all, most times I focus on my execution, I didn't really do that today (yesterday) but I'm happy to have still come out with the Diamond. Sometimes in a race I will lose concentration but I don't really get nervous at all no matter what," McPherson added.

The last Jamaican to win the women's 400m Diamond Trophy was Novlene Williams-Mills back in 2014.