Back on home soil and under the watchful eye of legendary coach Glen Mills, 2022 national 400m champion and World Championship silver medalist Jevaughn Powell is entering a new phase of his career—one focused on healing, patience, and purpose.
The 26-year-old, who anchored Jamaica to silver in the men’s 4x400m relay at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, is now laying the groundwork for a full return to competition after an injury-disrupted 2023 season. Despite not yet opening his 2025 campaign, Powell insists the delay is strategic.
“This year is more of a recovery year,” Powell told Sportsmax.TV. “Last year took a toll on my body with the NCAA season and everything leading into the Olympics. So now it’s about resting more, recovering, and laying the foundation for what's ahead—2027 World Championships, LA 2028.”
Now training at Racers Track Club under Mills, Powell is taking a versatile approach, preparing for both the 200m and 400m before deciding which event to contest at Jamaica’s National Championships later this year.
“I haven’t given up the four,” said Powell who on a recent podcast revealed that he intends to break the 20-second barrier in the 200m. “I’m tuning for both the two and the four, then I’ll decide which one to run at Trials.”
Surrounded by some of Jamaica’s top sprinters, including Oblique Seville, Powell says the level of commitment and professionalism within the camp has been a major source of motivation.
“You see why they’re winning medals,” he said. “They stick to the script Coach gives them. They work hard every day, and that inspires me to push even harder.”
Powell, who recently completed his collegiate career at the University of Florida, admitted that transitioning out of the NCAA system has come with important lessons—especially around recovery and training strategy.
“In Florida, we were getting ready to race every weekend, especially indoors,” he said. “Now it’s longer sessions, strength work, and training through meets to peak when it matters. It’s definitely helping.”
Working with Mills, Powell says, has offered far more than just technical guidance.
“He’s more than a coach—he’s a mentor,” he said. “He gives you guidance off the track too. Athletes make mistakes outside of training, and he’s there to help you avoid that. He could easily be a great parent as well as a great coach.”
While he is still uncertain about when he will open his season—“maybe in another month,” he estimated—Powell is in no rush. His long-term vision is clear.
“You have to build a proper foundation,” he said. “I don’t want to just make teams—I want to be world class.”