Interview with Jamaica’s Dennis Johnson

Dennis Johnson is a household name in Jamaican sprinting.

He was part of the San Jose State “Speed City” era with Bud Winter.

In 1948, the Official world record for the 100 yard dash was 9.3 seconds held by Mel Patton.  Back then, you had to break the WR by TENTHS of a second, not hundredths.  It wasn’t until 1962 when Frank Budd broke the record with 9.2 seconds.

Today, Asafa Powell has the world record with his 9.07 (-0.5 m/s) set in 2010.  (see 100 yard world record article)

Dennis Johnson, the Grandfather of Jamaican Sprinting

By May of 1961, Dennis Johnson had tied the 9.3 WR several times including a 9.2 in a +4.0 wind.

Why are Jamaican’s so fast?

In this video, Dennis is interviewed by Rasmus Ankersen. 

Note how he has a copy of the original "Rocket Sprint Start" book and "So You want to be a Sprinter" by Bud Winter, on his table.

If you watch the video carefully, Dennis Johnson says "Everything you need to know are in these two books" and he points to the table. 

Dennis talks about how it takes four years for him to take a high school sprinter’s times down to the 10.0 level, and he has done so hundreds of times.  There isn’t a magic food out there. 

Scientific-based coaching, remain injury free, good genetics, a solid work ethic, and a team with a good support staff, and you’ll get those times in 4 years.  Not overnight.  Guaranteed.

Even Gerard Mach once said, if at the end of 4 years, with a group of 30 kids, you should have a handful at 10.50 male sprinters, or else something is wrong with the coaching program. 

At the end of the video, Johnson says, “A lot of people would kill themselves to get the information I just gave you”.

If you are struggling to break 11.00 seconds for a 100 meters men’s, or nowhere near 10 seconds, then I suggest you get back to basics and read "Rocket Sprint Start"  and "So You want to be a Sprinter" by Bud Winter.

Click here for the video on YouTube.

UPDATE: Sorry, the video is no longer on YouTube.