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When things are not going your way, a lot of flaws seem to come up. While up until the Paris Olympics, everything looked quite rosy for Quincy Wilson, the dawn of the new year came with some bad news. Losing back-to-back races, the Virginia native finally came back like he was on a mission- clocking 45.71 at the 400m event in the New Balance Nationals, he proved to the world yet again that he was the one to look out for. But one thing that came up significantly was his somewhat awkward form. As the fans criticized Wilson’s hands not getting in sync properly, the heat was on the 17-year-old. However, amidst all these, one person who seems to have Wilson’s back is American track and field legend, Justin Gatlin.

In a recent episode of the Ready Set Go podcast, Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green delved deep into the matter. Chiming in, Green recalled that fans had a similar notion about Michael Johnson’s form, too. However, what happened next was for everybody to see. Johnson went on to win the Olympic gold medal and also became a legendary figure in the track and field realm. Gatlin quickly took over from Green and stated that what Wilson is doing currently is efficient for him. 

However, Gatlin also stated that Wilson’s coach needs to talk to him tactically. Gatlin stated that there have been a lot of athletes with perhaps better form than Wilson. But still, they will crave to have the records Wilson has at this tender age. Continuing his analysis further, Gatlin chimed in saying, “So allow him to go out, find his rhythm. He’s running the times that are superior. He’s winning races when it’s necessary and they’re big moments. Allow him to revel in those moments. So when it’s time for him to start changing his form, it will bypass that plateau that we see a lot of young runners get into.” Gatlin also mentioned that there was no immediate need for Wilson to change his form. 

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However, if at any point in his career, he does need to fine-tune his form, his coach must play a big role in doing so. Gatlin felt that as Wilson matures, if there is really a need to work on his form, Wilson will surely do so and improve himself further. But as of now, things are perfectly fine. And this was not the only time Justin Gatlin had supported the young phenom. During a time when Wilson was losing back-to-back races, the US legend spoke in his favor. 

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Gatlin opined back then that every athlete can have a bad day. And thus, there is no reason to get tensed about Quincy Wilson losing a couple of games. The US track and field icon foreshadowed that it would be soon that Wilson would come back into his elements. Well, as it turns out, Gatlin was true! Quincy Wilson did have a massive comeback.

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Quincy Wilson's form: A flaw or his secret weapon to dominating the track?

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Quincy Wilson silences doubters with record-breaking 400m win at New Balance Nationals Indoor

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Quincy Wilson’s latest record-breaking feat at the New Balance Nationals wasn’t just about speed! More so, because it reignited the debate about his running form. Quincy clocked a stunning 45.71 in the 400m, securing the win and breaking his own meet record of 45.76 from last year. But while the result speaks for itself, the way he achieved it has drawn fresh scrutiny.

 

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A recent video posted by CITIUS MAG captured Wilson’s leg in the 4×400 meter relay, highlighting a noticeable difference in his arm movement. Track Spice’s repost of the clip raised eyebrows, pointing out that one of Quincy’s arms seemed angled more toward the ground rather than swinging in a parallel motion. A departure from the upright form that is typically seen among elite sprinters. Despite this, Wilson’s acceleration was flawless, and his closing surge in the final 100 meters left no doubt about his dominance.

Quincy’s unconventional form didn’t stop him from executing a tactically brilliant race. While critics debate the mechanics of his stride, Wilson’s ability to maintain top-end speed and close out races with authority remains unmatched.

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