23 Facts About Javier Culson

Javier Culson Perez was born on 25 July 1984 and is a Puerto Rican athlete and Olympiad bronze medalist who specialises in the 400-metre hurdles.

Javier Culson has garnished medals in events with lower profiles, including the Central American and Caribbean Games and the Ibero-American Championships.

Javier Culson currently holds the record as "the world's fastest man" in that category.

Javier Culson competed at the 2012 Olympics in London winning the bronze medal in the 400-metre hurdles race.

Javier Culson Perez was born in Barrio Playa, Ponce, Puerto Rico, on 25 July 1984, to Senor Javier Culson and Judith Perez.

Javier Culson developed an interest in basketball and extreme sports and entered Long-distance running races.

Javier Culson completed his high school education at Escuela Jardines de Ponce.

Javier Culson then enrolled at American University, where he was part of their athletics team, the Piratas, performing for two years before transferring.

Javier Culson then enrolled in the Physical Education program at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, where he was active in the Liga Atletica Interuniversitaria, the apex inter-university league in Puerto Rico.

Javier Culson's first daughter, Yarien Javier Culson Corcino, was born on 29 May 2008, and he has been dedicating his victories to her ever since.

Javier Culson Perez won his first international gold medal in his home town at the 2006 Ibero-American Championships.

Javier Culson progressed to the semi-finals but failed to reach the final.

Javier Culson Perez began his 2009 pre-season by entering an 800 metres race at Carolina's Clasico de Primavera, winning with a 1:49.95 mark; four seconds over the time required to enter the World Championships in that discipline.

On 18 August 2009, Javier Culson Perez won the silver medal in the finals of the 400 metres hurdles at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany.

On 14 January 2010, Javier Culson Perez was named "Athlete of the Year" by the COPUR.

Javier Culson Perez opened his 2010 season at the Drake Relays, winning the race with 48.67, one of the best marks of the year up to that point.

On 8 May 2010, Javier Culson Perez established a new personal and national record at the Ponce Grand Prix, breaking the 48-second mark with a 47.72 victory over Michael Tinsley of the United States.

Javier Culson competed in the 2012 Olympics in London on Friday, 3 August; Saturday 4 August, and Monday 6 August.

In interviews from his barrio Playa in Ponce, Puerto Rico, his family reported they would be "glued to their TVs" awaiting the moment Javier Culson made entry into the Olympic stadium.

Javier Culson was selected to be the flagbearer for the Puerto Rico delegation during the Opening Ceremonies of the London Olympics.

Javier Culson scored the best overall time in the first day of competition, winning the highly-competitive heat 5 with a time of 48.33 seconds, and advancing to the semi-finals.

Javier Culson won his semifinal over two-time Olympic winner Angelo Taylor running 47.93 seconds.

On 6 August 2012 Javier Culson won the bronze medal in the final of the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 48.10 seconds, winning Puerto Rico's first Olympic medal in 16 years and the first Olympic athletics medal for his country.