Larry Wade facts for kids
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| Born | November 22, 1974 Giddings, Texas, country |
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| Sport | Track and field | ||||||||||
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Medal record
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Larry Wade was born on November 22, 1974. He is a former American track and field athlete. He was especially good at the 110 metres hurdles, which is a race where runners jump over obstacles.
Larry Wade was incredibly fast! His best time in the 110m hurdles was 13.01 seconds. He achieved this in July 1999. This amazing speed made him one of the fastest hurdlers ever. He is also famous for being a top coach in boxing. He has helped many boxers win world titles. Larry Wade also works as a sports commentator for big networks like ESPN.
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Larry Wade's Athletic Journey
College Sports Star
After finishing high school, Larry Wade went to Texas A&M University. There, he quickly became a star in track and field. He won the Southwest Conference Championship in the 110m hurdles. In 1995, he earned a bronze medal at the Olympic Festival Championship. He also won a silver medal at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship that same year.
In 1997, Larry won the first Big 12 Conference Championship in the 110m hurdles. His record time of 13.38 seconds lasted for over 10 years! He continued to shine, winning two NCAA titles in 1998. He was even featured in ESPN's "Faces in the Crowd" because of his talent. Larry Wade ended his college career as a five-time NCAA All-American. This means he was one of the best college athletes in the country.
Becoming a Professional Athlete
Larry Wade became a professional athlete in 1998. He signed a deal with Nike, a big sports company. In 1999, he was ranked as the third best 110m hurdler in the world. This was a huge achievement!
In 2001, Larry won a bronze medal at the Goodwill Games. He continued to be ranked among the top hurdlers globally. In 2003, he earned a silver medal at the 2003 Pan American Games in the 110m hurdles. He also placed fourth at the World Championships that year.
Between 2004 and 2006, Larry Wade was unable to compete. He officially retired from track and field in 2007.
Coaching Champions
Early Coaching Roles
After his running career, Larry Wade became a successful coach. In 2006, he was chosen to be the head track and field coach for the country of Saudi Arabia. He led their team at the 2006 Asian Games. His team did incredibly well, winning eight gold medals!
In 2007, Larry Wade was honored by being inducted into the Texas A&M University Hall of Fame. This recognized his amazing achievements as an athlete. He also coached a track and field club called Double Pillar LLC. In 2008, he became a co-head coach at Pasadena City College.
In 2009, he worked as an assistant coach for San Diego State University. He helped their track and field team reach the top 25 at the NCAA Outdoor Championship. This was the first time they had done so in 25 years! In 2010, he became the head track and field coach for Pasadena City College. He also helped organize the Pasadena Games, a historical track and field event.
Coaching Boxing Stars
Larry Wade is also known for being a top strength and conditioning coach in boxing. In 2013, he was hired by boxer Shawn Porter. With Wade's help, Porter won the IBF Welterweight Championship that year.
By 2016, Larry Wade was recognized as one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the nation. He continued to work with Shawn Porter, helping him become the number one contender in his boxing division. He also trained other famous boxers like Badou Jack and Caleb Plant. He even worked with YouTube stars Jake Paul and Olajide Olatunji.
In 2017, Larry Wade helped Badou Jack win the WBA Light Heavyweight World Championship. He has helped his clients win many world championships in boxing.
Here are some of the athletes Larry Wade has trained:
- Javorius Allen - NFL player
- Gilbert Arenas - NBA player
- Dominique Arnold - World championship medalist in hurdles
- Badou Jack - Boxing world champion
- Carmelita Jeter - Olympian and world record holder in relay
- Joe Joyce - Boxer
- Olajide Olatunji - Boxer (also known as KSI)
- Jake Paul - Boxer and YouTube star
- Caleb Plant - Boxing world champion
- Shawn Porter - Boxing world champion
- Rolando Romero - Boxer
Awards and Special Recognition
The City of Las Vegas honored Larry Wade for his great work with boxers. They gave him a special proclamation. This means December 15 is officially known as Larry Wade Day in Nevada!
International Competitions
Larry Wade competed in several big international events:
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Notes |
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| 1999 | IAAF Grand Prix Final | Munich, Germany | 3rd | |
| 2001 | Goodwill Games | Brisbane, Australia | 3rd | |
| IAAF Grand Prix Final | Melbourne, Australia | 8th | ||
| 2003 | World Championships | Paris, France | 4th | |
| Pan American Games | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | 2nd | ||
| World Athletics Final | Monte Carlo, Monaco | 8th |
