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McDonald disappointed after missing medal in 400m
September 19, 2025
TOKYO, Japan:
Having entered the Tokyo World Athletics Championships with the aim of claiming a medal and lowering the national record, Jamaica's Rusheen McDonald was left with bitter disappointment despite a valiant run in the men's 400m final.
McDonald finished fourth in 44.28 seconds.
Coming into the homestretch in third place, McDonald looked assured of a podium finish, but was edged to the line in the final metres by Botswana's Bayapo Ndori, who clocked 44.20.
Busang Kebinatshipi of Botswana took the World title in a world leading 43.53 seconds, with Trinidad and Tobago's Jareem Richards taking the silver medal in a national record of 43.72.
A dejected McDonald said he had wanted to claim an individual medal.
"I wanted a medal today," McDonald said. "Everything happens for a reason, the rain changed everything.
"I'm glad I got to the final, that was the aim, but I wanted a medal today."
TOO FAST, TOO EARLY
The reigning national champion and record holder laid the blame on his race strategy, saying he tried to get by his opponents too early in the race.
He explained that his response to his main opponents' early pressure left him with little left in the tank for a strong finish.
"I did something wrong in the race but I can't correct it because it done gone bad already," he said.
"I think I tried to cover the field too early, that is not how I'm supposed to run. I made a mistake there so the people that I was supposed to catch, normally I finish faster but today, I didn't finish fast."
McDonald had looked in the form of his life coming into the final, having run almost a 10th of a second outside his lifetime best of 43.93, when he advanced to the final in 44.04.
He will look to the men's 4x400m relay as redemption as he said he is ready to help Jamaica's chances of medalling in the four-lap relay.
"I am prepared for it but everything happens for a reason," said McDonald.
"Even right now I'm here talking to you, I feel a way but I'm happy I finished the race. It's a part of life so I just have to go back to the drawing board and run the 4x400m.
"I'm ready right now," he said. "I'm ready."
