When South Africa’s Shaun Bownes and Great Britain’s Colin Jackson saw each other for the first time in 18 years, it was clear that there was still a special brotherhood between the two of the great 110 metres hurdles athletes in history.

The last time they saw each other on the track was in the 110 metres hurdles final at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Bownes won the race with Jackson coming in a close second. To this day, Bownes’ biggest achievement has been beating his hero – one of the world’s greatest athletes – on one of the biggest stages.

Fast forward to 2019 and their journeys have come full circle in Potchefstroom, with both athletes sharing their knowledge as coaches with some of the top young hurdles athletes.
Jackson joined his two Dutch athletes, Koen Smet and Jonathan Mutebwa during their training in sunny Potch. His first time in North West’s sporting capital was a memorable experience.

‘It was fantastic to catch up with Shaun (Bownes) again after so many years. As hurdlers, we are a community that is always willing to help and support each other. It has also been great for our athletes to train together and share ideas,’ he said.

Jackson is undoubtedly one of the most decorated British athletes in history. He is the holder of an Olympic Silver medal, two Commonwealth Games gold medals and a world record of 12.91 seconds in the 110 m hurdles, which he held for a decade. He is still the 60-metre hurdles world record holder with a time of 7.30 seconds.

Jackson is thrilled at the prospect of his athletes’ progression on the track. He believes the general improvement of fitness and endurance will benefit them in the long run.
‘In the week I was in Potch, we focused on old-school training. If you look at the performance in hurdles 20 years ago, there has not been a big change. Discipline is one of the most important aspects of training. You cannot beat the hard work related to the product you want,’ he explained. Jackson, himself, has had a career that has spanned nearly two decades.

Bownes agreed with him on the importance of improving the athletes conditioning and giving his local athletes, like Theodor Young and Tiaan Kleynhans, the opportunity to train with some of Europe’s top athletes.

‘Training with top athletes and exchanging ideas hone the athletes and are brilliant for their development. Having a good collaboration is fantastic. As hurdlers, we like to share information and help each other,’ added Bownes.

He fondly remembers running against Jackson in 1998 when he went overseas for his first championships.

‘I was completely starstruck in that race in Helsinki and, after the race, I asked him if I could take a picture with him. That was the magnitude of being with all these top hurdlers.’

As hurdlers, we like to celebrate each other’s achievements. Even when I was both the outdoor and indoor world record holder for many years, I was still excited to see how the other athletes had improved,’ added Jackson who was unbeaten for 44 races between 1993 and 1995.

‘My first Olympics was in 1988 and the last in Sydney 2000. I looked after myself and I was much attuned to my body and what I was capable of. I had awesome training partners and a great coach (Malcolm Arnold) and that helped me extend my career. It was special to be unbeaten for 44 races over that period but going 75 races with only three defeats in three years was also impressive to me,’ he added.

With all the achievements and accolades under his belt, Jackson still believes his proudest moment was the race that started it all back in 1986, at the World Junior Athletics Championships in Greece.
‘It was my first global title and one of the first races where I went in as the favourite.
I also had a couple of injuries beforehand and to deal with those stresses and come out on top helped me for the rest of my career.’

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Video: Two hurdles greats look back at their epic 2002 Commonwealth Games race