December 22nd, 2008
‘Fireman’ Brown Has Sights Set On World Championship Podium
By: Bernard Newbold
Christopher “Fireman” Brown
Since the 2005 International Association of Athletic Federations World Championships in Helsinki Finland, National 400 meter record holder Christopher “Fireman” Brown, 30, has been coming up just short of a medal in his specialty race.
Since the 2005 International Association of Athletic Federations World Championships in Helsinki Finland, National 400 meter record holder Christopher “Fireman” Brown, 30, has been coming up just short of a medal in his specialty race.
In Helsinki, Brown placed fourth in the finals of the World Championships in a personnel best performance 44.48 seconds just being edged out by Canadian Tyler Christopher for the bronze medal in 44.44 seconds.
At the 2007 IAAF World Championships in Osaka Japan, Brown again ended the 400 meter finals outside of a medal placing fourth in 44.45 seconds equaling the national record at that time being held by 2001 World Champion Avard Moncur.
With two fourth place finishes at a major competition, Brown ranked at number three in the World headed into Beijing China for the Olympic Games with the hopes of securing a medal.
However it was not to be for Brown as he once again finished an agonizing fourth place, but this time he took the national record in the process running 44.40 seconds.
Throughout Browns career, he has grace the center of the podium winning gold at the 2007 Pan American Games becoming the first Bahamian to do so in the event.
Brown has also won a bronze medal at the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships in the 400 meters along with a 4x400 meter silver medal at the 2008 Olympic games, three at the World Championship 2001, 2005, and 2007. He has also secured a bronze in the 4x400 meters at the 2003 World Championships.
During the recent incentive presentation by Peter Nygard, Brown received about $1,600 for his silver medal in the 4x400 meters and an additional $2,000 for the close fourth place finish in the 400 meters.
Thanking Nygard for his generosity, Brown said it was great to see Nygard living up to his word and that he was pleasantly surprised when he learned that Nygard gave him an additional sum of money for his personal effort in the men’s 400m.
Thanking God, Brown said he was truly appreciative of the incentive by Nygard and that with the 2009 season fast approaching his sights are now set on the IAAF World Championship.
“My main goal is to make the podium in Berlin at the World Championships. Already on three occasions I have had the bronze taken from me. I guess the Lord has something bigger in store for me so I am taking it one day at a time,” said Brown.
He added that his sights are also set on the IAAF Golden League where more than $2.5 million in prize will be up for grabs during the 2009 season.
Looking ahead Brown says his competition schedule is going to be “picky” during the up coming season but noted that if he gets the invitation to compete at home prior to the Nationals he would show up once he is not obligated to competition on the international circuit.