Derrick ADKINS

Derrick Adkins placed third at the 1991 US Championships, qualifying him for the 1991 World Championships, where he finished sixth. Adkins won the World Student Games in 1991 and 1993 and finished seventh at the 1993 Worlds. He made a rapid improvement in 1994, winning his first US title. He repeated this win in 1994 and was considered the favorite at the 1995 Worlds. At Göteborg, Adkins won his heat easily and won gold by narrowly defeating his main rival, Samuel Matete from Zambia. Adkins ran in college for Georgia Tech, and was runner-up in the 400IH at the 1991 NCAA Meet, finishing behind Matete, who was running for Auburn University.

Prior to the Atlanta Olympics, Matete beat Adkins in four of five races, but at the Olympics Adkins turned the tables on Matete, winning in a time of 47.54. In 1997, Atkins was second at the US Championships, but missed the final for the first time at the World Championships, finishing only fifth in the semi-final. Adkins continued to compete in subsequent years, but with less success and he retired from athletics in 2000. After his retirement, Adkins was assistant track coach at Columbia University from 2004-06 and was later director of the New Balance Track and Field Armory in New York City and also worked for the New York Road Runners.

Personal Best: 400H – 47.54 (1995).