SAN DIEGO – The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) North Island staff takes great pride in commending American Sprinter Michael Arthur Norman, Jr., who secured another gold medal at the mens 400m at the 2022 World Athletics Championships (WCH) in Eugene, Oregon, in July. 

Norman Jr., a San Diego native, is the son of Michael Arthur Norman Sr., a former chief aviation electronics technician who currently serves as CNATTU North Island’s civilian field learning standards officer. Norman Jr. (44.29 seconds) outran Grenada’s Silver Medalist Kirani James (44.48 seconds) and Great Britain’s Bronze Medalist Matthew Hudson-Smith (44.66 seconds) in the race.

He overcame a tendon injury that limited his usual burst, so he was fully healthy as he entered the final straightaway of the 400-meter final in Oregon.  He held off James, a former world champion and Olympic gold medalist, and Wayde van Niekerk, the world record-holder and two-time world champion in the final 10 seconds as the crowd roared.  Michael Norman Jr. is the first American to win the event at the WCH since LaShawn Merritt in 2013.

His list of track accolades continues to grow.  He was a member of the 4x400m mens relay team who won gold in WCH Oregon, too.  Norman Jr. was also a member of the gold 4x400m mens relay team in the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo.  He has numerous national and international awards on his ledger.

Norman Jr. reportedly gets his discipline and dedication from his father, and his speed and endurance from his mother, Nobue Saito Norman, a track star who set national junior high school sprint records in Japan.
 
Congratulations to Norman Jr. and his family.  CNATTU North Island is proud to call you one of our own!