Leford Green beat out Puerto Rican favorite Javier Culson for 1st in the 400m hurdles at the XXI Central American & Caribbean Games held in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
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Mayaguez, Puerto Rico – Johnson C. Smith University rising senior
Leford Green (St. Catherine, Jamaica) represented the country of Jamaica well with a first place finish in the 400m hurdles at the XXI Central American & Caribbean Games held in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Green ran past local hero/favorite Javier Culson down the homestretch to take the victory in a games record 48.47 seconds.
Culson led by at least a full hurdle up to 200m, but Green cut into his lead at that point and made his move. Green's 48.47 second gold medal run came in ahead of Culson's (48.58). Roxroy Cato (Jamaica) second entry, was third in 49.62, while former World and Olympic Champion Felix Sanchez, was fourth in 50.08.
Green became the Jamaican national 400m hurdle champion on Saturday, June 26th by defeating a strong field in National Stadium to capture the victory in 48.90 seconds.
"I felt good, I went out there knowing what I had to do, I know how he(Culson) runs and knew once I stayed close to him into the straight I would run past him, so I was prepared for it mentally and physically,” said Green.
“It was not exactly how I wanted it because after the first five hurdles I got left back and I kind of panicked, but I just made my move and ran hard,” continued Green. “I just left it all out there on the track. I even clipped the ninth hurdle, but I just held my form and powered through to beat him to the line."
Green has had a stellar year in track and field, being named the 2010 Regional and National Track Athlete of the Year by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), as well as earning his third All-American honor.
When asked about his recent victory at the CAC Games, Green had the following comments; “The vibes and everything were right, because it's his hometown and they were cheering and speaking in Spanish... it reminded me of Champs when the drums were beating to give the vibes to do your best.” His time in this event was a personal best.
Green steps back into competition during cross country season for the Guilford College Invitational on September 4, 2010 in Greensboro, NC.
