Despite not feeling the love from the Jamaican fans, some of whom urged him to switch allegiance to Turkey, national 400m record holder, Rusheen McDonald, turned in one of the performances of the Trials and “silenced them”.

McDonald, who will be 33 years old next month, won his first National 400m title, once again defying all the odds after showing moderate form early season.

The MVP athlete won in 44.89 seconds ahead of Delano Kennedy (44.91) and Jevaughn Powell (45.08) and put his finger to his lips, asking for silence.

‘It’s because of the doubters and the haters and the people who said Rusheen must quit, go to Turkey, because he doesn’t serve any purpose in Jamaica,” McDonald explained.

“But I love Jamaica, and I’m not gonna change from Jamaica for the money or anything. I just love Jamaica. I started from my tender years in Jamaica, so that (finger gesture) is for all of the haters, not for my opponents; I respect every athlete,” he was quick to point out.

However, as McDonald gesticulated, he missed the World Championship qualifying mark of 44.85 by four hundredths of a second. The MVP athlete won in 44.89 seconds ahead of Delano Kennedy (44.91) and Jevaughn Powell (45.08).

Now he will have to try again to make the time or face the risk of not making the World Championship team, based on time.

“You know, I didn’t mean to ease up because I was feeling something from the 200m. So, before I push it and tear myself, I ease down before I go through the line,” he explained. “I wasn’t pleased with the time, but I thank God I finished the race healthy. This is the first Trials I have won in history,” McDonald said with a big smile.

McDonald, or ‘Big Boy’ as he is called, is Jamaica’s national record holder with a superb 43.73 seconds established 10 years ago at the 2015 Beijing World Championship.

He expressed confidence in his ability to break his own record with continued training and focus as his 200m speed has improved and he is stronger.