From High School Star to 400m World Champion | The Michael Norman Story
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- čas přidán 11. 09. 2022
- Michael Norman has had one of the most interesting careers of any athlete currently competing.
He finished 5th place at the 2016 Olympic trials in the 200m as a high school senior and established himself as potentially one of the greatest future sprinters in the United States. In the following years, Norman initially lived up to those expectations by winning NCAA championships and even breaking a world record.
But as quick as he rose, the track world arguably turned on him as he was unable to perform when it mattered at the biggest stage, on two consecutive occasions. This year though, we saw him win World Championship gold in the 400m, arguably living up to the expectations that the sport placed on him. - Sport
The talent is there for sure. I think he should have kept his 2018/19 physique. Not sure if that extra muscle he put on this year really helps all that much. I remember him running a 43.03 split at regionals in college that was ridiculous. If he limits his races during championship season and continues to focus on finishing strong, the sky is the limit. Michael Johnson set the world record at 32 so he has five opportunities for more outdoor championship medals through 2028.
He was definitely amazing in th 2018/2019 years, but one thing to remember is he has grown since then. Remember 2018 was his sophomore year of college. So I'm not surprised his physique has changed. But yea I think he has a huge ceiling. I have an interview with his Coach Quincy Watts coming soon as well.
I will say, Johnson was a different beats. I hesitate to compare anyone too him. Remember he wasn't even well known in college until his final year or 2, and then really took off as a pro. But I do think the American and potentially world records are in play for Norman if he stays healthy.
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43.06*⚡️
Exactly right, so many athletes seem to think heavy lifting and larger muscles add speed, it doesn’t.
I'm probably one of the few track fans who didn't give up on Norman. It's difficult for some to make the transition from high school to the collegiate and professional leagues. I've continued to believe he would be a force to be reckoned once he developed the right mindset. I hope he continues to live up to his great potential. Thanks for continuously highlighting the athletes who work so hard to keep track and field alive. Your channel is exceptional.
You make a good point about the transition between HS-NCAA-Pro, respect with someone like Norman who was doing amazing in HS already. I definitely doubted him a bit so to hear that you believed in him is amazing and he's showing that he came through for thoes who stuck by him. Thanks for always watching!
I never gave up on him, he reminds me of a young Sanya Richards-Ross. He needs to build his courage, strengthen his resolve and on the day, realise that he's racing against himself. Fear has no place when you are on the track, plan your race, and push yourself every time. When he develops a champion's mindset a la Felix, he will find that he's the one people become scared of!
The Sanya Richards Ross comparison is nice. She always ran fast but initially would underperm at the Champions (though to be fair she won medals, she was always just favored for gold)
@@TheFinalLeg : Her performance at the 2009 World Championships was "On Point", I couldn't fault, and you saw the result when she streaked away from Christine and the others and incidentally, Christine didn't medal. If Sanya had listened to her coach, and developed a fighter's mindset, not just a chaser's mindset, she'd probably be a Double World Champion and a Duble Olympic Champion". I have faith that Mike will continue his winning streak if he focuses on himself not others. For now, I'd like him to win a few more titles and medals.
@@FabThePenMan Curious what you mean by fighter mindset vs chaser mindset? On a race plan level, in the years prior to 2009, SRR tended to go out very very fast and quickly fade in the final 100m of the race (see 2008 Olympics 2005 Worlds) but in 2009 and after, you can tell she would go out very fast the first 100m, then almost slam on the breaks and relax significantly down the back straight, way more than she used to, which allowed her to have more coming back home in the final 100m.
I do think that she could have won in 2005, and 2011 as well. 2011 she was in form (49.66 SB and 49.3 relay lead off!) but couldnt pull it out from lane 1.
But I agree, I do think Norman can continue his winning streak, but there will be some tough competition!
@@TheFinalLeg : Chaser mindset/form (no disrespect to her); Christine Ohuruogu, always ran the same race plan, start cautiously, watch what the others are doing, then surge down the homestrait and hope to catch them before the line. 4 times others shattered this game plan ; SRR in 2009, Montsho in 2011, Felix in 2015 and Libania Grenoit at the Eupean finals in 2016...? (Unsure will check that one). A Fighter's' mindset: think Michael Johnson, Quincy Watts, LaShawn Merritt, and even Jeremy Wariner. These athletes would calculate their races, ensure they are fighting fit, and execute without really looking side to side.
I'm a huge Michael Norman fan! Not only is he one of the worlds best sprinters, but I love the way he carries himself as an athlete and person. In my opinion track is an individual sport and it can brutally honest with your results positive or negative.And with the 400 meters this is especially true. Once you step on the track to compete in "4", a lot of factors will quickly reveal itself, your training/preparation, injuries and your mental approach. And if you fall short in any of the previous mentioned areas, you will be swiftly reminded of what you did or didn't do! With that said, that's what impresses me most regarding Michael Norman, as it appears he looked inwards and made the necessary adjustments to make him one of the top sprinters in the World again! Keep Grinding MN!!
All amazing points you make here! He has definitely made the adjustments to get to the top of the world in the 400m again. Looking forward to see what he can do in the years to come.
Thanks for watching!
Excellent article from The Final Leg! Really enjoy your information and insight on the subject matter, Track & Field!! Great job!!
Gotta love Norman, can't wait to see him race at world champs again
Agreed! Thanks for watching!!
A great young man, I hope he gets gold in Budapest this summer and in Paris next year.
Great video. You’re doing a great job very professional and informative. I’ve seen you before but in paying complete attention this time, outstanding. Keep up the great work and I’ll keep watching.
Bravo
Appreciate it and thanks for watching!
Great video. Thanks for upload. Norman is a great sprinter. He should be able to establish himself around 43.5 and be top of the world. Gardiner on same level. Hopefully van Niekerk also. Worldrecord is out of touch for all of them.
Thanks for watching!
I think he is in that sweet spot of 43.5 right now but has 43.0 potential. Don't know if he gets there but it's possible. I wonder, do you think Van Niekerk will ever get back or close to his world record times, or even sub 44?
@@TheFinalLeg his last races were promising, beating Kirani James. If he stays healthy, he will run sub 44. I hope so.
It will be very difficult for all to come close to 43.03. Since Evans' 43.86 in 1968 each 400m- world record stood for a long time.
Gowww Michael Norman ❤️
I loathe to say it, but I think Norman plays down to his competition and is still learning how to race the 400m. Notice the time that he won his World Title. He was one of only three men to go under 43s this year. Although Kirani James is seminal talent and one of the greatest 400m runners in history, that final should not have been that close. If he learns how to run the 400m and goes McLaughlin on the competition (go where no others can), he will add to his medal collection. He may have some competition from Ross (is he running at Tennessee this year?), Allison, a healthy Gardiner, ever-improving Godwin, and anyone out of Florida
Thats an interesting take. I do think it was interesting how "slow" the 400m final was at Worlds in 2022, but I think it may lend it self more to how experienced Kirani James is than Norman playing down to his competition. Unfortunately, running fast times through the season aren't everything. Its about showing up when it counts. I think many of the names you mentioned have the potential to be as fast as Norman is. I dont think he is at a McLaughlin level of the 400m yet so well have to wait and see. But Alison, Gardiner and others are right on his heels.
Ross is supposed to be starting at Tennessee this year, but remember he was suspended in the summer (he was supposed to run at Worlds)
Cool topic
Thanks for watching!
He is a talent, without a doubt. But, he is not a 400 legend yet. He has had many failures on his invidividual races on the world stage, except this year 2022 where the main medalists from the last two big championships were out because of injuries. His win in Oregon 2022 was a respectful but slow race. We need to see more of him with the big players to really put him in the category of a 400 legend.
Thats a fair assessment. Though hes not "legendary" like a Michael Johnson or a Wayde Van Niekerk, I think he is creeping into that legend territory. Indoor World Record, NCAA Record, World Champion, #4 all time in the 400m, 4 f the top 15 times in history. So hes getting there. But definitely understand, the word legend is the best of the best.
Thanks for watching!
I'd say it was the transition from college to the 'open' world and pro athletics. If you look back at his HS and college seasons you see he had a steady progression throughout those years as each season progressed. When he went pro he had fewer meets, so unable to really 'test' himself against others in competitive situations. it was just a matter of adjusting to that situation. I'm sure he'll be back and better in 2023 and beyond. World record will be tough, he'd have to have a perfect day and perfect race to do that. As a comparision I'd watch Abby Steiner this year and see if she can hold or exceed her world class 2022 break-out year; I wouldn't fault her if she didn't, but it may be just a similar 'pro-level learning curve. FWIW: I live in Southern California and was able to see him at the big So Cal meets back in his high school days. He literally had no competition during those years, running low-46s at the big meets.
These are all excellent points and for many athletes it is tough transitioning from college to pro after having years of steady progression. I wonder what your thoughts are about Rai Benjamin. Despite injury, he has been able to make the transition from college to pro pretty smoothly and progress year after year (he was injured this year ofcourse but still ran fast).
And as you know, they both train together so Im sure there are individual factors that come into play.
Thanks for watching!!
Cool
The 4 X 400 record may be under threat for men and women
I just think Micheal Normal is hot as hell. Great video also!
Thanks for watching!
He just needs to put any doubts he might have behind him and just race!
Hey, why don’t you do any videos on Kirani James, one of the most decorated 400m athletes ever
I actually have a 2 hour long interview with Kirani and his former coach Harvey glance that will come out hopefully soon!
Kirani is one of my favorite athletes in the sport! 💯
I just realised, Norman had home games in two consecutive years.
True! Japan and the USA!
as we can all see if this young man is fully healthy this is the results we would have seen in 2019 and 2021 .... There no way you can win a major championship at 80% .. there always more to the story of what the eye can see..
Thanks for watching! Your right though, it will take 100% to win a championship. Even with the slow time in Oregon, Kirani James pushed Norman the whole way. Well see what the next few years hold!
He has been quiet as hell lately
He is a good 400m runner however, the real test will come when he faces Gardner of the Bahamas........
True, Gardiner is no joke. I'll definitely be looking forward to that match up.
Thanks for watching BlueSky!
Norman is not happy doing the 400m