Jackson’s 2008 Olympic Trials victory in the 400-meter hurdles over defending World Outdoor Champion Kerron Clement was one of the Trials’ more interesting surprises. There was a bigger surprise to come in Beijing, however, when a third American, Angelo Taylor, won the 400 hurdles gold, with Clement taking silver and Jackson bronze.
Motivation:
Jackson is among several fourth-place finishers from the 2004 Olympic Trials to succeed in 2008. Jackson narrowly missed qualifying for the ’04 squad with a 48.11-second clocking.
Quick rise:
Jackson literally shot up the world rankings in 2005 and finished the season ranked No. 1. He won the World Outdoor Championship that year with a personal best 47.30, was second in the U.S. Outdoors and won the 400-meter run at the U.S. Indoors. Jackson’s rating slipped to No. 2 in 2006 and No. 5 in 2007.
Quality coach:
Jackson may not have made the 2004 Olympic team but he trains with that team’s head coach. Jackson now lives and trains in Raleigh, N.C. where he’s coached by George Williams.
The stats:
- Height: 5-8
- Weight: 158
- Age: 25
- Birth date: May 8, 1983
- Hometown: Miami, Florida
- World Championships: One (2005, outdoor)
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