The College of the West Indies (The UWI) International Campus will confer an Honorary Physician of Legal guidelines (LLD) diploma on excellent Grenadian sprinter Kirani James, in recognition of his excellence in athletics, throughout its upcoming Digital Commencement Ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, November 9.
This yr’s celebration is very significant, because it embraces the theme Celebrating Caribbean Legacy: A Kaleidoscope of Resilience, highlighting UWI’s enduring legacy throughout the Area.
Kirani James is a extremely completed athlete famend for his success within the 400 meters. He has secured gold medals on the World Championships (2011), the London Olympics (2012), and the Commonwealth Video games (2014). James started his athletic profession within the small fishing village of Gouyave, St. John, the place he joined the SpeedZone Membership at age 13 and rapidly made an affect by setting report instances for his age group. His early achievements embody successful gold on the CARIFTA Video games in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, in addition to breaking Usain Bolt’s U20 400m report in 2009.
Internationally, he received gold within the 400m on the Commonwealth Youth Video games (2007) and earned silver at each the World Youth Championships (2007) and the World Junior Championships (2008). He additionally grew to become the primary athlete to realize a 200m/400m double on the 2009 World Youth Championships and received 400m gold on the World Junior Championships in 2010.
James attended the College of Alabama on an athletic scholarship, competing underneath the teaching and mentorship of Olympic gold medalist Harvey Look. He received the Nationwide Collegiate Athletic Affiliation (NCAA) Out of doors Championship title in his first two years and recorded a private better of 43.74 seconds on the 2014 Diamond League, the place he additionally claimed gold in 2011, 2015, 2022, and 2023.
James is one among 9 athletes to win world championships on the youth, junior, and senior ranges, solidifying his standing as one of the embellished 400m athletes in historical past. His accolades embody three World Championship medals (Gold in 2011, Bronze in 2015, and Silver in 2022) and three Olympic medals (Gold in 2012, Silver in 2016, and Bronze in 2020), making him the primary to win three particular person 400m Olympic medals. He was Grenada’s first and solely Olympic medallist till the Paris Video games 2024.
He has been named Grenada’s Athlete of the Yr 4 instances and was ranked primary within the World for the 400m in 2011, 2012, and 2014. In December 2012, Caribbean Journal named James and Jamaica’s Usain Bolt Co-Sportsmen of the Yr.
Outdoors of monitor and area, James holds a Bachelor’s diploma in Normal Enterprise and serves on the Board of Administrators of the Windward Islands Analysis & Schooling Basis (WINDREF) and its Sport for Well being programme.
He has acquired a number of prestigious awards, together with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), the Order of Grenada (COG), and the title of Sports activities Ambassador for Grenada. He was additionally honoured as Grenada Sportsman of the Yr in 2009 and acquired the Austin Sealy Trophy that very same yr for probably the most excellent athlete on the CARIFTA Video games.
In his profile, James expressed, “With 4 Olympic closing appearances, I attempt to encourage others by way of my journey and keenness for the game. I’m dedicated to steady enchancment and fostering a constructive and supportive neighborhood for fellow athletes. I’m rooted within the perception that dedication, consistency, and teamwork are key to success each on and off the monitor.”
Professional Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the International Campus, Dr Francis O. Severin, applauds Kirani James and welcomes this second. He urges that, “The UWI continues to be totally aware of its human atmosphere and the affect of our folks in fostering and upholding a One Caribbean Civilization. This excessive tutorial accolade is well timed, particularly within the mild of the highest performances of our Japanese Caribbean international locations on this yr’s Summer season Olympics. It additional confirms the great energy of our folks in quite a few spheres. We’re completely satisfied to rejoice us, collectively. Nicely finished, Kirani. Nicely finished, Grenada”
