(Donavan Brazier spoke with Ben Thompson from FloTrack following his return to the sport last month at the TOAD Fest in Nashville, Tennessee)
Michigan Roots
Donavan Brazier is scheduled to be in the 800 meter line-up on Saturday, July 19th for the Wanda Diamond League Meeting in London.
Brazier, who has made a triumphant return to competition this summer following three years away from the sport due to various injuries, honed his skills in the early stages of his athletics career at Kenowa Hills High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
A 2015 graduate, Brazier was dominant throughout the Wolverine State during his scholastic tenure, winning back-to-back MHSAA LP-1 State Championships as a junior and senior in addition to a MITS State Championship during his senior campaign.
The aforementioned state titles were all earned in his signature event, the 800 meter run.
Brazier's success was not limited just to within state bounds, however.
He consistently sought out the best post-season competition available and continuously made his presence known on the national scene.
Victories at New Balance Nationals Outdoor in 2014 and Brooks PR Invitational in 2015 anchor the plethora of accolades claimed by Brazier in his high school days.
Brazier also produced solid marks while competing in the 400m, 1600m and 1 Mile events. Additionally, he was a state caliber XC athlete, where he finished as high as 6th overall at the MHSAA LP-1 State Cross Country Championships as a senior classman.
Brazier's PRs in high school:
- 400m: 47.96
- 800m: 1:47.55
- 1600m: 4:07.15
- 1 Mile: 4:09.32
- 5km XC: 15:25.40
College Station Bound
Brazier's time spent competing in the NCAA was brief, but dynamic.
He wasted no time making an impact collegiately, as he took the SEC Indoor Championships victory in the 800 as a freshman.
While an injury ultimately derailed his efforts at the NCAA Indoor Championships, he came back emphatically during spring outdoor track.
Brazier clocked an incredible 1:43.55 to deliver an individual 800m victory at the NCAA Outdoor Championships on behalf of his Texas A&M Aggies, a mark which at the time represented a new collegiate record.
Ascending to the Professional Ranks
Following his 800m national title winning performance in 2016, Brazier opted to go pro and signed with Nike.
His decorated professional resume is highlighted by a World Athletics Championships gold medal winning effort in the 800m at Doha in 2019 and personal best marks at the distance of 1:42.34 (outdoors) and 1:44.21 (indoors), both of which are former American records.
The Comeback
Due to a barrage of lingering injuries, we unfortunately didn't see Brazier display his skills on the track for quite some time.
As recently as last month, he returned to the sport following a 3-year hiatus. A lack of competitive reps in the preceding seasons had some pundits wondering if the sport had passed him by.
Once Brazier stepped back onto the oval on June 7th in Nashville, Tennessee, however, he confirmed that notion couldn't be further from the truth.
Amazingly, it was like he never left.
Brazier won his return 800m contest, clocking 1:44.70 at the TOAD Fest meet in Nashville. He followed that work up with a 1:43.81 winning performance at the Portland Track Festival on June 16th.
His next competitive outing is looming.
Make sure to follow Brazier's continued trajectory by tuning-in to watch him compete at this weekend's Wanda Diamond League London Meeting.
What Is The Wanda Diamond League?
The Diamond League is a high-octane, world-class professional track and field series, featuring the top track & field athletes in the world. Think of it as the NBA of track & field, but with fewer dunks and more world records. It started in 2010 and has grown to become one the most exciting and prestigious series in track & field.
The Diamond League features 15 meets with the world's best competing across the globe in places like China, Doha, London, Monaco, Paris, and Eugene, Oregon. It's high stakes, with the athletes chasing points that could give them a shot at the coveted Diamond Trophy at the end of the season.
You can learn more about the Wanda Diamond League HERE.
(Donavan Brazier shown contesting the 800 meters at the World Athletics Championships during the summer of 2022 in Eugene, Oregon)
Photo Credit: Ben Lonergan, The Register-Guard / USA Today
