Monday, April 21, 2008
“Riveting … the best performance of the year.”
“A true masterpiece. Two thumbs way up!”
“Batman does it again.”
Relax, you didn’t miss the opening of Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film “The Dark Knight,” a sequel to his 2005 “Batman Begins.” That’s still 87 days away.
However, what you did miss — unless you were one of the estimated 13,500 people to attend the Kansas Relays — was a chance to see Bershawn “Batman” Jackson fly over hurdles and save the people of Lawrence from evil.
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Jackson has the unique ability to express how humble he his and proclaim himself to be the greatest hurdler in the world in the same sentence, and somehow make you believe both.
OK, maybe not evil exactly, but this cape-less crusader was heroic in the 400-meter hurdles, dispatching his competitors with moves that deserved exclamations of BIFF! or ZLOPP!
Batman crossed the line in 48.32 seconds, which was good enough for a season-opening personal best and a new Kansas Relays meet record.
“Batman’s back, Batman returns once again,” Jackson said. “I’m back in shape, I’m back fit, and it’s going to be an amazing summer.”
It was also the fastest 400-meter hurdle time in the world this year.
“That’s where I belong, on top,” Jackson added.
Batman had a rough 2007 season because of injuries and dealt with another hamstring injury while competing indoor this year. None of those problems have ever stopped him from conquering the Kansas Relays, though.
With Saturday’s victory, he has now won the event five out of the past six years and set the meet record three times. Still, Jackson wouldn’t say he owns the Kansas Relays.
“Not yet, not until you see billboards of me everywhere, then I own the meet,” Jackson said. “Right now, I’m just up-and-coming.”
Only 24 years old, Jackson has already accomplished a great deal in his career. Batman won the 2005 World Outdoor, 2005 USA Indoor and 2003 USA Outdoor 400-meter hurdles Championships. Track & Field News has also ranked him in the top 10 in the world in the event every year since 2003. That’s all well and good, but Batman’s looking to soar even higher.
“The sky’s the limit,” Jackson said. “I’m one of the best hurdlers in the world, and I’ve proved that anything you put your mind to you can do.”
Jackson has the unique ability to express how humble he his and proclaim himself to be the greatest hurdler in the world in the same sentence, and somehow make you believe both. It’s what endears him to fans and has them hollering “Batman” from the stands before, during and after his races.
If things go right, those fans will be yelling at their TV screens later this summer as Batman battles competitors halfway across the world.
At age 20, Jackson fell short of qualifying for the 2004 Olympics. This time around, he’s older, wiser and thanks to Saturday’s race, he’s ready for the challenge.
“This is the meet where I got my confidence back,” Jackson said. “This is the turning point right here.”
Jackson’s quest started in Kansas and from the looks of it, Christopher Nolan may not be the only one with a blockbuster this summer.
Jackson may have the chance to star in the 2008 Summer Olympics, which open August 8 in Beijing.
—Edited by Katherine Loeck
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