Two-time world champion, Dominican Felix Sanchez won his 37th consecutive victory during the MGK-Vis Golden Gala, the second of this summer’s six TDK Golden League meetings. The race took place in Rome’s Olympic stadium on Friday 2 July and marked the anniversary of the last time Sanchez was defeated, by Dai Tamesue of Japan in Zagreb on 2 July 2001. Runners-up of Friday’s competition were Keita Naman of France with 48.82 and Rawlinson Chris of Great Britain with 48.86. Sanchez gave his best performance of the season, but did not outdo his career record time of 47.25.
Describing the race, the International Association of Athletics Federations web site says: “Sanchez powered away and had the confidence and style to wave to the crowd as he came off the final hurdle and crossed the line in an assured 48.43. The time was a season’s best for the Dominican Republic athlete. It confirms that a share of the jackpot is currently secure in Sanchez’s grasp.”
Sanchez is a graduate in psychology from the University of South California, and a product of the California state university athletics programs. Although born in New York City, he competes for the DR because his parents are of Dominican origin. The man known as Super Sanchez also sports a flashing wristband on his right wrist, as a souvenir from the Sydney Olympics in which he did not qualify for the finals. He is the DR’s best hope for a gold medal in the Athens Olympics this summer and is also a top contender for the US$1-million TDK Golden League Jackpot.
See http://www.iaaf.org/GLE04/news/Kind=2/newsId=25777.html