KIRANI JAMES

Kirani James (born 1 September 1992) is a Grenadian sprinter who specializes in the 400 meters. He won the 400m at the World Championships in 2011, at the 2012 London Olympics, and at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. He is Grenada's first and only Olympic medalist.

 

Kirani grew up in the small fishing village of Gouyave, St. John. Prodigious from a young age, he joined his hometown club SpeedZone at the age of 13 under coach Albert Joseph. He ran the fastest 400m times ever by a 14 year old and 15 year old. He won a series of gold medals at the CARIFTA Games including breaking the U20 400m record held previously by Usain Bolt.

 

James rose to the international stage with Gold in the 400m at the Commonwealth Youth Games, 400m silver medals at the 2007 World Youth and 2008 World Junior Championships. James became the first athlete to win a 200/400 double at the 2009 World Youth Championships and was the 2010 World Junior Champion. James received an athletic scholarship at the University of Alabama competing under the Coaching and mentorship of Harvey Glance, an Olympic Gold medalist in 1976. He won back-to-back NCAA Outdoor Championship titles in his first two years. He ran a personal best of 43.74 at the 2014 Diamond League event in Lausanne.

 

James is one of only nine athletes to win world championships at the youth, junior, and senior level of an athletic event. He is also one of the most decorated 400m athletes in history, claiming three world championship medals: (2011 Gold, 2015 Bronze, 2022 Silver) and Three Olympic medals (2012 Gold, 2016 Silver, 2020 Bronze) making him the first athlete to win three individual 400m Olympic medals.

 

Outside of track and field Kirani has Bachelor's degree in General business and is a board of director of WINDREF and the sport for health program within it.