If it ain't broke ... McLeod decides against changing hurdling technique this season

RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation Sportsman of the Year nominee Omar McLeod said that he will not be switching to a seven-step routine when he gets his 2018 season started. Instead, he will be continuing with his eight step method.

The difference between both techniques is the number of steps taken at the start of McLeod's 110m hurdles races. He currently takes eight steps after leaving the blocks, before clearing the first hurdle and had intentions of switching to only seven steps, like all his rivals throughout the circuit. However, after changing coaches last year, he has decided that he will not change a winning formula, which has brought him success both at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the IAAF World Championships in London, England last August.

ATTACK THE HURDLE

"We're still at eight step," McLeod told Star Sports. "My new coach, he doesn't believe in seven steps. He thinks I have an advantage being an eight-step hurdler because we get out a lot more and our steps are shorter, so it gives us an advantage.

"I definitely like it a lot more because with the seven steps, I hate the feeling of having to stretch for the hurdles or reach for the hurdles. With the eight steps, I can just reach for the hurdles and just let my speed go and just attack the hurdle how I want to."

McLeod said that he is also focused on winning the IAAF Diamond League this year, but knows that he will have stern challenge from opponents such as Russian Sergey Shubenkov, last year's Diamond League winner, American world record holder Aries Merritt, and Orlando Ortega of Spain.

"They're all coming," McLeod said with a laugh. "I love it because with you being number one in the world, everybody's trying to beat you. But I love it because there's no time for complacency. It keeps me on my feet. It makes me wanna work harder, so I know that every time they're coming, I'll be ready. So let's see what happens."