Blackwood Finishes Season At Top Of World Rankings

Sept. 27, 2002

NORMAN, Okla. - When he was growing up in Jamaica, Michael Blackwood had big dreams of being the best in the world. After his performances over the last three weeks of the outdoor track and field circuit, those dreams have become reality and now he is back in Norman pursuing another dream which is equally important to the former Sooner All-American.

Last Friday, Blackwood ran an all-time personal best of 44.60 to win the 400-meter dash at the ninth International Association of Athletics Federation World Cup in Athletics. The meet, held in Madrid, Spain, marked the end of the competitive season for the highest level track and field competitors and draws the best of the world.

His victory at the World Cup came just one week after he won the 400-meter dash IAAF Grand Prix Final in Paris with a time of 44.72 and two weeks after he won the ISTAF Golden League title in Berlin. His win in Berlin moved Blackwood to the top of the world list.

He solidified his standing with the win in Paris and held off all challengers, including the reigning world champion in the 400-meter, Avard Moncur of the Bahamas, with the win in Paris. The win in Madrid increased his lead in the overall point standings.

Blackwood is the first Sooner to finish the season ranked number one in the Grand Prix standings since the competition began in 1985. The Grand Prix brings together the best track and field athletes in their specialties and includes competition in Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. The Grand Prix is divided into three levels with the highest level, the Golden League, drawing the world's best. Points are awarded for placing in the Grand Prix events with the top ranking athletes competing in the Grand Prix final and the IAAF World Cup.

Blackwood won his first Grand Prix Golden League title in Rome on July 12 when he ran a 44.99 at the Golden Gala. He then added the victory in Berlin with a 44.87. Following that victory, world track and field observers began calling him "an emerging Jamaican talent over 400 meters."

"This has been the best season of my career as I won all the important meets. Those wins have given me a solid base for the 2004 Olympic Games," Blackwood explained. "It was like people were wondering where I had come from. Winning these titles has given me the confidence to believe in myself, to believe that I can compete and beat the best in the world.

"People were asking 'who is this guy' and 'where did he come from' after I won the last three races," Blackwood said. "My training has continued to improve and I have gotten more mature as an athlete. I was disappointed with my performances last year and I used that disappointment to motivate me to work harder this year. The victories were the result of that hard work."

His summer to remember opened with a victory in the Jamaican National Championships in June. He ran a 44.64 to win the title on June 22, beating another former Sooner, Danny McFarlane who finished fifth. That victory earned Blackwood a trip to the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, in late July. He won that meet with a 45.07.

Blackwood, who won the 2000 Big 12 title in the 400-meter dash, had the fastest time in the world in the event following that meet. He later competed for Jamaica in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, earning a bronze medal as a member of the 1600-meter relay team. He was a five-time All-American for the Sooners in his two-year OU career.

He returned to Norman on Monday and was back in class by Tuesday, needing nine hours to complete his undergraduate degree in graphic design. He will graduate in May and according to Blackwood, the degree is as important a dream as the world ranking.

"While being the number one quartermiler in the world has always been a dream of mine, finishing my degree is my top priority," Blackwood added. "I've got some catching up to do but I am not going to quit until I graduate.

"OU has been so good to me. My training has improved and I wouldn't have done what I did without the help of Coach (Rodney) Price. The way I run is a reflection of the work we have done together. He and I really connected and he has had me on a great program. The way I present myself on the track is a reflection of him."

Blackwood is going to take a break from training but will begin training again in November. His plan is to run some indoor meets so he can earn a spot in the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, England, in March.

"It's so amazing to run in Europe. Track and field is really special in Europe and the crowds are like what you see in the U.S. for football. The atmosphere is phenomenal and the crowds are so enthusiastic."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Blackwood Finishes Season At Top Of World Rankings

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