Danny McFarlane leads the pack in the 400m hurdles final at the National Stadium. - Ian Allen

Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Olympic Games 400m hurdler silver medallist Danny McFarlane has described himself as the 'King' of Jamaica's track and field.

McFarlane's comments came after his second straight and third overall 400m hurdles victory at the National Athletics Championships on the weekend.

"I am the king of hurdling in Jamaica. I am the king overall in track and field," McFarlane told journalists after his 48.52 second win over Isa Phillips (49.23) and Markino Buckley (49.24).

World record holder in the 100m Asafa Powell and World Junior 200m record holder Usain Bolt are Jamaica's most recognisable male athletes. However, McFarlane believes he is the most accomplished.

"No one here, no male athlete here, has accomplished what I have accomplished," he said.

Explaining more, McFarlane added: "(With) nine or eight Olympic and World Champion-ships medals, that's the highest you can get."

In addition to his silver medal in the 400m hurdles at the 2004 Athens Olympic, McFarlane has two Olympic relay bronze and two silver and three bronze medals from the World Championships.

McFarlane uses this to validate his claim that he is at the pinnacle of local track royalty.

"Count up how much of them running right now have (medal), not even one or two - so basically I am the king," he stated.

McFarlane was cool, calm and collected on Saturday as he entered his blocks. The strongest challenge for the 37-year-old came from youngsters Phillips and Buckley, but the seasoned veteran, who took up the one lap hurdling only four years ago, cleared the hurdles with uncanny fluidity and went on to win easily.

McFarlane said he liked that the two young hurdlers were his main challengers. However, his advice to them is to "keep relax and try and execute the race. And once they can learn that and do that, they can be good athletes".