Orlando Bennett set to miss JAAA trials

Orlando Bennett, the reigning 110m hurdles national champion, is likely to miss the Commonwealth Games later this month. The Jamaican athlete announced he will forgo the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association’s national championships, scheduled for June 18-21.

Bennett, who secured a silver medal at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, stated his intention to compete in the Diamond League circuit. His next scheduled meet is the Diamond League event in Doha on June 19, followed by a return to Jamaica for rest. "This is an off-season for me so my goals are staying in the circuit and getting good times and good rewards," Bennett said.

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Next meeting will be Doha and then I go home to Jamaica and rest a bit. This is an off-season for me so my goals are staying in the circuit and getting good times and good rewards.

Despite his participation in major events, Bennett expressed dissatisfaction with his recent performance, citing low temperatures and back-to-back races as contributing factors. "I do not know if this was a good race, it was not really the best. I just tried to get through the race and through the hurdles," he commented.

Bennett previously won his first national senior championships last year, defeating Demario Prince and Tyler Mason. His decision to prioritize the Diamond League over the national championships indicates a strategic focus on international competition and personal bests during what he considers his off-season.

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I do not know if this was a good race, it was not really the best. I just tried to get through the race and through the hurdles. Maybe it was because of the low temperatures. It was also a back- to-back race. I came here to execute and I really did.