By Gary Smith, World-Track
EUGENE — American champion and former World Championships 400 meters hurdles gold medallist Bershawn Jackson is predicting a possible American sweep in event at the world championships in August.
"I think we will sweep the medals again in Berlin. Most definitely," said the confident Jackson after his victory in Eugene.
"We have the greatest hurdlers in the world. I don’t think other countries in the world can compete with America."
Jackson was speaking after clocking a quick 48.03seconds to regain the world-leading performance this season from Jamaican Isa Phillips, who on Saturday had produced a fast 48.05secs to win the Jamaican trials.
The Olympic bronze medallist was also echoing the comments he made after winning at the Prefontaine Classic Grand Prix earlier this month.
Phillips and Puerto Rico’s Javier Coulson, who went dead on with the American at the Reebok Grand, however, will have something to prove come Berlin.
In the meantime, Jackson added that it is a possibility he has to run a personal best to repeat his golden from Helsinki, four-years-ago.
"My PR is 47.30, and that’s what I’m shooting for [but] I think I’m going to need to break that to win in Berlin."
He will be joined by defending champion Kerron Clement, who only raced in the open 400m at the U.S. trials, Olympic champion Angelo Taylor and Johnny Dutch, the second place finisher at the trials.
