Leford Green winner of the men's 400 hurdles on day two of the National Trials at the National Stadium last Friday. - Ricardo Makyn

When Leford Green crowned himself National 400 metre hurdles Champion last year not many took his victory seriously, as several of the country's top athletes were missing from the field at that time. This time around there are no excuses.

In a World Championships year, with all the country's top athletes making their presence felt in a bid to make it to the Daegu World Championships, the men's 400 metre hurdles field was loaded with talent as the likes of Danny McFarlane, Isa Phillips, Markino Buckley and Adrian Findlay, who have all competed for Jamaica at the highest level, were in attendance.

second successive National title

Despite that, Green captured a second successive national title, as he improved on his season best of 50.00 seconds to score an impressive win in 49.19 seconds, to book his place in Daegu, with youngsters Josef Robertson (49.64) second and Roxroy Cato third (49.77).

"I came here very confident of defending my title and although my times were not special coming into the meet I knew I had a lot to spare," Green told Star Sports.

"I see this win as a changing of the guard as I am also happy for Robertson and Cato who are also youngsters like me."

In effect it was a changing of the guard with veteran McFarlane, a constant for Jamaica in the event for the last two years, Buckley and Findlay all failing to secure a spot. Incidentally, Robertson has already booked his World Championship ticket as he has already surpassed the 'A' standard of 49.40 seconds following his 49.37 seconds clocking in Ostrava late May.

Despite failing to match his personal best of 48.47 seconds done at the Central America and Caribbean Senior Championships in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico he was elated with his victory and believes he has developed in the event.

"This year I have progressed well in the event and coming to the Championships I ran a more mature race. In the preliminary round I just went through the motion to qualify, saving my best for the final," Green said.

"My race is coming together at the right time as all season I have been competing with little or no competition and the climate has also been a big factor. I know that a big time for me will come soon."