Jackson runs world’s best time in 400
(that would be hurdles.kk)
April 19, 2008, 8:12 PM ET
LAWRENCE, Kan. – After a poor 2007 season, “Batman” is back.
Bershawn “Batman” Jackson opened his quest for a 2008 Olympic medal with a world season-best in the 400-meter hurdles of 48.32 seconds Saturday at the Kansas Relays.
“That’s where I belong – on top,” Jackson said. “It feels great to be running fast again. Batman is back. Batman returns, once again. I am fit and back in shape. It’s going to be amazing to see what I can do.”
The 24-year-old hurdler, known as “Batman” for his ability to seemingly fly over the hurdles, topped his own previous meet record time and won for the fifth time in six years at the Kansas Relays. He finished well ahead of the world-best mark of 48.8 seconds, running the fastest season-opening time of his career in the process.
“This is the meet right here that got my confidence back,” Jackson said. “This is the turning point, I have my confidence back. I’ve never ran that fast of a time in my first race so it’s going to be interesting to see what I can do.”
Jackson, who finished fourth in the Olympic trials in 2004 and missed the Olympics by one spot, was injured for most of a disappointing 2007 season. He hopes to get under 47 seconds before the trials in late June.
Not only is Jackson healthy, his swagger is back as well.
“I’m one of the best hurdlers in the world,” Jackson said. “I need to buy a cape. Look for it.”
But Jackson wasn’t the only Olympic hopeful at the Kansas Relays on Saturday. Chris Cantwell, the 2008 Indoor World Champion in the shot put, faulted on four of his six throws but won the Invitational Shot Put with a throw of 67 feet, 6 1/4 inches – well short of his meet-record toss of 70 feet, 3 3/4 inches set back in 2006.
“Not good,” Cantwell said of his day. “Not at all. Warming up I felt pretty good. I was ready, I don’t know what happened, something just got off a little bit. In training on Thursday I threw two right around 71-5 and I warmed up today at 70 feet. I thought I could have done 71 today, but no excuses.”
Cantwell, who also finished fourth in the Olympic Trials in 2004 and missed making the Olympic team by one spot, plans to compete in four more meets before the Olympic Trials this summer. Saturday was only the fifth day he was able to throw outdoors, with the unseasonably cold and wet spring hampering his training so far in 2008.
“The weather hasn’t been too cooperative in Missouri, I’m a little bit behind the eight ball right now,” Cantwell said. “I’m trying to keep my eyes on the prize. That’s more than enough time. I’m right on track. I feel really good about it. The U.S. is tough in the shot put so we’ll see. It’s not going to be a gimme, that’s for sure.”
Nichole Denby, the former Texas star and 2004 NCAA champion, won the 100 Invitational hurdles race in 12.78. She plans to switch to the 400 hurdles in her quest to make the Olympic team this summer.
Muna Lee, gold medalist in the 400 relay at the 2005 World Outdoor Championships, ran the final leg and was victorious for team Total Sports in both the 400 and 800 relays.