Félix Sánchez
|
Félix Sánchez at the World Championship Athletics 2009 in Berlin | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | United States |
| Born |
August 30, 1977 New York City, United States |
| Residence | California, United States |
| Years active | 1999–2016 |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | 73 kg (161 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Running |
| Event(s) | 400 meter hurdles, 4 × 400 meters relay |
| College team | USC Trojans |
Medal record
| |
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Félix Sánchez, (born August 30, 1977) is a retired American track and field athlete of Dominican descent who competed for the Dominican Republic. He specialized in the 400 meter hurdles. He is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, winning gold in 2004 and 2012, and was also World Champion in 2001 and 2003. Just before turning 36, he set the Masters M35 World Record with a time of 48.10. Sanchez acquired many nicknames: "Super Felix", "the Invincible", "Superman", and "the Dictator".[1]
The Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, the Dominican Republic’s largest stadium, is named after him.
Sánchez retired in April 2016, citing the recent birth of his son.[2][3][4]
Early life and college
Sánchez was born in New York City to Dominican-born parents and was raised in San Diego, California.[5] He attended University City High School and San Diego Mesa College in the city, and then went on to study psychology at the University of Southern California in 1998.[6][7] Competing for University of Southern California's USC Trojans, he was a Pac-10 champion (400 m hurdles) and All-American relay champion (1600 m) in 1999.[6]
Professional career
Sánchez opted to represent the Dominican Republic internationally, and made his debut for that nation in the Pan American games in 1999.[8] Between 2001 and 2004 he won 43 races in a row[8] at 400 m hurdles, including the 2001 and 2003 World Championships. He won a share of the Golden League million dollar-jackpot in 2002 after winning all 7 races.[9]
At the 2003 Pan American Games, Sánchez won the Dominican Republic's first gold medal at the competition and also broke the Pan American Games record in the 400 m hurdles.[10][11] He was named Track and Field News Track & Field Athlete of the Year in 2003. Subsequently, he won the first ever Olympic gold medal for the Dominican Republic on August 28, 2004 during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.[12]
During his 43-race[8] winning streak, from 2001 to 2004, Sánchez was known for wearing a wristband while competing. The red flashing wristband, a souvenir from the 2000 Olympics, served as a motivation for him after failing to advance to the final in Sydney. After winning the Olympic gold medal in Athens 2004, Sánchez gave the wristband to the IAAF for auction and the profits were donated to charity.[8] In his first race after the Olympics – and his first race without the wristband – at the Van Damme Memorial meet in Brussels, Sánchez injured his leg and had to abandon the race halfway through.[13][14]
In 2012, at the age of 34, Sánchez entered the 2012 Summer Olympics. He posted the fastest qualifying time, and won the final with a time of 47.63 seconds,[15] the same as his winning time in Athens in 2004 and his fastest run for eight years.[16] Sánchez became the oldest man to win the Olympic 400m hurdles title.[16] He was the only Olympic medalist for the Dominican Republic until 45 minutes after his second gold medal, when Luguelín Santos picked up a silver medal in the 400 metres. For his performance in London Sanchez was awarded the Laureus World Comeback of the Year.[17]
Sánchez announced his retirement in April 2016 at the age of 38, citing the recent birth of a son.[2][3][4] He did not compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Competition record
References
- ↑ California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office > Newsroom > Notable Alumni > FelixSanchez
- 1 2 https://www.iaaf.org/news/news/felix-sanchez-retirement
- 1 2 http://www.sport24.co.za/OtherSport/Athletics/International/super-sanchez-announces-retirement-20160427
- 1 2 http://www.si.com/olympics/2016/04/26/felix-sanchez-retires-dominican-republic-rio-2016-olympics
- ↑ Felix Sanchez. Sports Reference. Retrieved on June 30, 2012.
- 1 2 Player Bio: Felix Sanchez :: Men's Outdoor Track
- ↑ "California State Meet Results - 1915 to present". Hank Lawson. Retrieved 2012-12-25.
- 1 2 3 4 "Felix Sanchez". www.london2012.com. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- ↑ How does it feel to win $1m?. Spikes. Retrieved January 5, 2009.
- ↑ Felix Sanchez wins first gold medal for Dominican Republic. Xinhua News Agency. Retrieved on July 11, 2009. Archived October 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Gonzalez, David (2003-08-08). Games Lift Spirits in Santo Domingo. The New York Times. Retrieved on July 11, 2009.
- ↑ Felix Sanchez coming home to NYC for Reebok Grand Prix. Cool Running. Retrieved on July 11, 2009. Archived August 23, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Felix Sanchez donates flashing wristband to the IAAF. Retrieved on September 27, 2011. Archived December 12, 2005, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Leg injury sees Sanchez's three-year win streak end. Retrieved on September 27, 2011.
- ↑ "'Superman' Sanchez regains Olympic 400m hurdles title". The Times Of India. Archived from the original on August 10, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- 1 2 "London 2012 Olympics: James secures 400m crown as Greene misses hurdles medal". www.athleticsweekly.com. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
- ↑ Laureus World Sports Awards 2013: The Winners | Laureus
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Félix Sánchez. |
- Félix Sánchez profile at IAAF
- 2004 interview and profile in Open Your Eyes magazine
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Angelo Taylor |
Men's 400 m Hurdles Best Year Performance 2001–2004 |
Succeeded by Kerron Clement |
| Awards | ||
| Preceded by |
CAC Male Athlete of the Year 2004 |
Succeeded by Asafa Powell |
| Preceded by Darren Clarke |
Laureus World Comeback of the Year 2012 |
Succeeded by Rafael Nadal |
| Olympic Games | ||
| Preceded by Wanda Rijo |
Flagbearer for  Dominican RepublicAthens 2004 Beijing 2008 |
Succeeded by Gabriel Mercedes |
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