Orlando Bennett delivered a standout performance at the Stade de France on Wednesday, running a personal best of 13.09 seconds (0.6m/s) to lead the Jamaican trio of Rasheed Broadbell and defending Olympic champion Hansle Parchment into the final of the 110m hurdles at the Paris Olympic Games.
Bennett, who won his heat, improved on his previous best of 13.18 seconds, edging out American Daniel Roberts, who finished just behind with 13.10 seconds, and Japan’s Shunsuke Izuiya, who clocked 13.32 seconds. Bennett’s impressive time not only secured his place in the final but also marked him as a strong contender for a medal.
Rasheed Broadbell, showing a return to top form, also secured his spot in the final by winning his heat with a time of 13.21 seconds (-0.1m/s). Broadbell made a late surge off the final hurdle to out-lean American Freddie Crittenden, who finished second in 13.23 seconds. Senegal’s Louis Francois Mendy took third with 13.34 seconds.
Hansle Parchment, the defending Olympic champion, had to rely on time to advance after finishing third in his semi-final with a season-best of 13.19 seconds (0.1m/s). Parchment narrowly made it through to the final, finishing behind three-time World Champion Grant Holloway of the USA, who clocked a blistering 12.98 seconds. Spain’s Enrique Llopis claimed second place in the same heat with a time of 13.17 seconds, while Japan’s Rachid Muratake secured the final spot in the final with his fourth-place finish of 13.26 seconds.
This trio of Jamaican hurdlers now carries the nation’s hopes into the final, where they will face off against some of the world’s best, including the formidable Grant Holloway. Bennett’s personal best performance, Broadbell’s return to form, and Parchment’s experience set the stage for an exciting and highly competitive final.
