Jamaica’s Andrenette Knight stunned the competition at the Golden Gala in Rome on Thursday night, blazing through the 400m hurdles with a personal season’s best of 53.18 seconds. In a stacked field that included several world-class hurdlers, Knight maintained her composure through the final curve and powered down the home straight to secure a decisive win.
The victory marks one of the biggest wins in Knight’s senior career to date and solidifies her position as a key contender heading into the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite challenging weather conditions and stiff competition from American rivals and European hopefuls, the 27-year-old held her rhythm and displayed exceptional control over the hurdles.
“I’ve been working really hard to get to this point,” Knight told reporters trackside after the race. “We knew coming into Rome that it was going to be fast. I just had to stay focused and execute each phase of my race.”
Knight’s acceleration over the final 100 meters was particularly impressive. Coming off the eighth hurdle in third place, she surged forward with a technically clean penultimate step, timing her attack perfectly as others faded. The race dynamics mirrored her steady growth on the international circuit: quietly patient, tactically smart, and now, undeniably elite.
Speaking to TrackFocus in an exclusive post-race interview, Knight gave insight into the mindset and preparation behind her standout performance.
Q: You seemed calm and confident out there. What was going through your mind on the start line?
Knight: “Honestly, I was just thinking about execution. We’ve been practicing a specific pattern—especially for the first five hurdles—and my coach told me, ‘Don’t chase anyone. Run your race.’ That really stuck with me. I was calm because I trusted the work.”
Q: The final stretch—your finish looked very controlled. Did you feel it was your race at that point?
Knight: “Yes and no. I could hear the crowd and sensed someone was close, but I stayed focused on my form. The last two hurdles are where races are won or lost, so I just reminded myself to breathe, lift, and finish strong.”
This win in Rome adds momentum to what has already been a promising season for Knight, who trains in Florida under veteran coach Lennox Graham. With national trials looming and Olympic selection on the line, she is peaking at the right time.
Knight’s victory also reflects Jamaica’s growing depth in the 400m hurdles, a discipline traditionally dominated by the United States. While all eyes often turn to more established names, Knight is proving she belongs in the global conversation.
“This is just the beginning,” she said with a smile. “I know there’s more in the tank. We’re not at the peak yet—Paris is the goal.”
As the Diamond League heads into its summer stretch, one thing is clear: Andrenette Knight is no longer an underdog. She is a contender—and in Rome, she made that known loud and clear.
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