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Athlete Bio

Rod Milburn

Basic Information

Status: Hall of Fame Gender: Male Date of Birth: 3/18/1950

Athletics Information

Event: Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field Agent: N/A

Residences

Hometown: Opelousas, LA College: Southern University and A&M College

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Athlete Profile

During the early 1970s, Rod Milburn dominated the 110m hurdles, setting or tying the world record five times and winning the event at the 1971 Pan-American Games and 1972 Olympics. During a semi-final race at the National AAU meet in 1971, the Southern University student won the 120-yard high hurdles in 13.0, breaking the old world record of 13.2 that was set 12 years earlier. Undefeated in 27 straight races, Milburn was named Track & Field News' Athlete of the Year for 1971. His streak ended at the 1972 Olympic Trials when he hit two hurdles and narrowly qualified for the team with a third-place finish. He regained his form in Munich, where he tied the world record of 13.24 in winning the gold medal. After 1973, he turned to professional track but regained his amateur standing in 1980 and that year was ranked fifth in the world. He continued to be world ranked until his final retirement in 1983. During his heyday, he won three national collegiate hurdles titles and four National AAU championships, two each indoors and outdoors.

Records Held

World Record: 120 yd. hurdles - 13.00 (June 25, 1971 - )
World Record: 110 m hurdles - 13.10 (July 22, 1973 - )

Championships

1972 Olympics: 110 m hurdles - 13.24 (1st)
1971 Pan-Am Games: 110 m hurdles (1st)

Occupations

Coach
Industrial worker

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