James King (born May 9, 1949) is an American hurdler. In 1975 he won the

Pan American Games The Pan American Games (also known colloquially as the Pan Am Games) is a continental multi-sport event in the Americas featuring summer sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The competition is held ...

in the 400 Hurdles. He was a top level performer for many years also competing in the

United States Olympic Trials The United States Olympic Trials are competitions held in certain sports to select the United States' participants in those sports at the Olympic Games. These events include: * United States Olympic Trials (curling) * United States Olympic Trials (d ...

in 1972, 1976, 1980, and 1984. He was ranked in the Top 10 United States 400 meter hurdlers for ten consecutive years most of it during the Edwin Moses and Andre Phillips era. He held the official World Masters Athletics

World Record A world record is usually the best global and most important performance that is ever recorded and officially verified in a specific skill, sport, or other kind of activity. The book ''Guinness World Records'' and other world records organization ...

in the 400 hurdles for Men 40+ for over 20 years, until it was surpassed in 2012 by

Danny McFarlane The Jamaica 4x400 team won originally the bronze medal, but the USA 4x400 team, which originally finished first in 4x400 m relay, was disqualified in 2008 due to Antonio Pettigrew confession of using human growth hormone and EPO bet ...

. He also held the World Record for the M35 and M40 400 metres (without hurdles) for almost 15 years each. King competed collegiately for

San Diego Mesa College San Diego Mesa College (Mesa College or Mesa) is a public community college in Clairemont Mesa in San Diego, California. It is part of the California Community Colleges and the San Diego Community College District. It is the largest community ...

, then San Diego State University and has remained in the area, coaching at

, San Diego City College, Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College. He is currently an assistant coach back at Mesa College.

References