Félix Sánchez

Birth dateAug 30, 1977

BirthplaceManhattan, United States

Height1.78 m

Weight73 kg

Félix Sánchez (born August 30, 1977) is a retired Dominican-American track and field athlete. Specializing in the 400 meter hurdles, He is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, winning gold in 2004 and 2012, and was also World Champion in 2001 and 2003.

Just before turning 36, he set the Masters M35 World Record with a time of 48.10. Sanchez acquired many nicknames: "Super Felix", "the Invincible", "Superman", and "the Dictator".

The Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, Dominican Republic's largest stadium, is named after him. Sánchez retired in April 2016, citing the recent birth of his son.

Key facts

400 m hurdles

47.25

#15 all-time

400 m

44.90

#331 all-time

2015 season best

50.23

Aug 9, 2015 · San José (CRC)

2015 season best

Last competition

San José NACAC Open Championships

Aug 9, 2015 · 50.23

San José NACAC Open Championships

Medals

Olympic Games: 2 gold · World Championships: 2 gold, 1 silver

Record

National record · 400 m hurdles 47.25

National record

Age

49 years old

As of Sep 12, 2026: 400 m hurdles 47.25 (#15 all-time), 400 m 44.90 (#331 all-time), 2015 season best 50.23 (Aug 9, 2015, San José (CRC)) · Last competition: San José NACAC Open Championships, Aug 9, 2015, 50.23 · Olympic Games: 2 gold · World Championships: 2 gold, 1 silver · National record (400 m hurdles) · 49 years old

Personal bests

10.45

20.70*

44.90

1:48.99

47.25

2:59.19

3:06.30

46.68

1:05.00

1:05.00

* Wind-assisted (> 2.0 m/s)

🏅

Medals

	🥇	🥈	🥉	Total
Olympic Games	2	-	-	2
World Championships	2	1	-	3
Total	4	1	-	5

Performance Charts

Season bests

Season	Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Trend	Competitions
2015	200MetresH	23.05	+1.8	May 9, 2015	↓	-
2015	400mH	50.23	-	Aug 9, 2015	↓	San José NACAC Open Championships
2014	200MetresH	22.61	+1.4	May 17, 2014	↓	-
2014	400mH	48.91	-	Jul 5, 2014	↓	Paris Meeting AREVA, Stade de France, Paris-St-Denis - Promotional Events
2013	200MetresH	22.68	-0.3	May 25, 2013	↓	-
2013	400m	46.27	-	Jun 1, 2013	↑	Los Angeles, CA (USA)
2013	400mH	48.10	-	Aug 13, 2013	↓	IAAF World Championships, Luzhniki Stadion, Moskva
2013	800m	1:53.69	-	May 12, 2013	↓	Los Angeles, CA (USA)
2013	4x400m	3:02.82	-	Jul 7, 2013	↓	CACAC Championships
2012	200MetresH	22.75	+0.1	May 20, 2012	↓	-
2012	400m	45.34	-	May 5, 2012	↑	Los Angeles, CA (USA)
2012	400mH	47.63	-	Aug 6, 2012	↓	The XXX Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, London
2012	800m	1:48.99	-	Apr 14, 2012	↓	Los Angeles, CA (USA)
2011	200m	21.76	+0.7	Apr 9, 2011	↓	Los Angeles, CA (USA)
2011	200MetresH	23.28	+2.0	May 15, 2011	↓	-
2011	400m	46.30	-	Jun 4, 2011	↑	Walnut, CA (USA)
2011	400mH	48.74	-	Aug 29, 2011	↓	IAAF World Championships, DS, Daegu
2011	800m	1:49.86	-	May 7, 2011	↓	Los Angeles, CA (USA)
2011	4x400m	3:04.10	-	Jul 17, 2011	↓	Mayagüez (PUR)
2010	200MetresH	22.94	-0.7	May 16, 2010	↓	-
2010	400m	45.99	-	Apr 24, 2010	↑	La Jolla, CA (USA)
2010	400m-short-track	47.42	-	Mar 6, 2010	↓	Valencia (ESP) (i)
2010	400mH	48.17	-	Jul 8, 2010	↓	Athletissima Lausanne, Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne - Diamond Discipline
2010	800m	1:50.04	-	Apr 10, 2010	↓	Los Angeles, CA (USA)
2010	4x400Metre	3:06.30	-	Mar 13, 2010	-	IAAF World Indoor Championships
2009	100m	10.72	+1.2	Mar 14, 2009	↓	Northridge, CA (USA)
2009	400m	45.72	-	Aug 8, 2009	↑	Santa Monica, CA (USA)
2009	400mH	48.34	-	Aug 16, 2009	↓	IAAF World Championships
2009	800m	1:51.09	-	Mar 20, 2009	↓	Norwalk, CA (USA)
2009	4x400m	3:02.47	-	Aug 23, 2009	↓	IAAF World Championships
2008	400m	47.65	-	Apr 19, 2008	↑	Long Beach, CA (USA)
2008	400mH	51.10	-	Aug 15, 2008	↓	The XXIX Olympic Games, National Stadium, Beijing
2007	400m	46.45	-	May 19, 2007	↑	Ponce (PUR)
2007	400mH	48.01	-	Aug 28, 2007	↓	IAAF World Championships
2007	800m	1:58.89	-	Apr 15, 2007	↓	Walnut, CA (USA)
2007	4x400m	3:02.48	-	Jul 28, 2007	↓	Rio de Janeiro (BRA)
2006	400m	46.19	-	Apr 15, 2006	↑	Walnut, CA (USA)
2006	400mH	49.10	-	Sep 1, 2006	↓	Padova (ITA)
2006	800m	1:51.15	-	Apr 8, 2006	↓	Los Angeles, CA (USA)
2006	4x400m	3:00.56	-	Apr 29, 2006	↓	Philadelphia, PA (USA)
2005	100m	10.45	+1.6	Apr 9, 2005	↓	Los Angeles, CA (USA)
2005	200m	20.88	+1.6	Apr 9, 2005	↓	Los Angeles, CA (USA)
2005	400m	46.32	-	Apr 17, 2005	↑	Walnut, CA (USA)
2005	400mH	48.24	-	Aug 7, 2005	↓	IAAF World Championships, Olympiastadion, Helsinki
2004	400m	46.28	-	May 1, 2004	↑	Santo Domingo (DOM)
2004	400mH	47.63	-	Aug 26, 2004	↓	The XXVIII Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, Athina
2004	800m	1:49.36	-	Apr 10, 2004	↓	Westwood, CA (USA)
2004	4x400m	3:00.76	-	Apr 24, 2004	↓	Philadelphia, PA (USA)
2003	400m	45.22	-	May 3, 2003	↑	Ciudad de México (MEX)
2003	400mH	47.25	-	Aug 29, 2003	↓	IAAF World Championships
2003	800m	1:50.33	-	Apr 5, 2003	↓	Westwood, CA (USA)
2003	4x400m	3:02.02	-	Aug 9, 2003	↓	Santo Domingo Pan American Games
2002	200m	20.70	+4.9	Apr 6, 2002	↓	Cerritos, CA (USA)
2002	400m	45.14	-	Aug 23, 2002	↑	London (GBR)
2002	400mH	47.35	-	Aug 16, 2002	↓	Weltklasse Zürich
2002	800m	1:50.9h	-	Apr 13, 2002	↓	Azusa, CA (USA)
2002	4x400m	2:59.19	-	Sep 21, 2002	↓	Madrid IAAF World Cup
2001	200m	20.87	+1.2	May 6, 2001	↓	Irvine, CA (USA)
2001	400m	44.90	-	Aug 19, 2001	↑	International Stadium, Gateshead (GBR)
2001	400m-short-track	46.68	-	Mar 18, 2001	↓	Glasgow (GBR) (i)
2001	400mH	47.38	-	Aug 17, 2001	↓	Weltklasse Zürich
2001	500Metres	1:05.00	-	Feb 18, 2001	-	Cedar Falls, IA (USA) (i)
2001	500m-short-track	1:05.00	-	Feb 18, 2001	-	Cedar Falls, IA (USA) (i)
2000	400m	46.34	-	Apr 8, 2000	↑	Azusa, CA (USA)
2000	400mH	48.33	-	Jun 28, 2000	↓	Athina (GRE)
2000	800m	1:51.49	-	Mar 18, 2000	↓	Tempe, AZ (USA)
1999	400mH	48.60	-	Jul 28, 1999	↓	Winnipeg (CAN)
1998	400mH	51.30	-	Mar 8, 1998	↓	Los Angeles, CA (USA)
1997	400mH	50.01	-	Jun 13, 1997	↓	Indianapolis, IN (USA)

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
400mH	50.23	-	Aug 9	San José NACAC Open Championships
400mH	51.28	-	Aug 7	San José NACAC Open Championships, San José
400mH	51.07	-	Jul 22	Pan American Games, CIBC, Toronto
400mH	50.93	-	May 15	Doha IAAF Diamond League, Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha - Diamond Discipline
200MetresH	23.05	+1.8	May 9	Manchester Great City Games, Manchester

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
400mH	49.31	-	Aug 28	Weltklasse Zürich, Letzigrund, Zürich - Diamond Discipline
400mH	51.68	-	Aug 21	Stockholm DN Galan, Olympiastadion, Stockholm - Diamond Discipline
400mH	49.01	-	Jul 11	Glasgow British Athletics Grand Prix, Hampden Park, Glasgow - Diamond Discipline
400mH	48.91	-	Jul 5	Paris Meeting AREVA, Stade de France, Paris-St-Denis - Promotional Events
400mH	49.08	-	Jul 3	Athletissima Lausanne, Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne - Diamond Discipline
400mH	49.09	-	Jun 14	New York adidas Grand Prix, Icahn Stadium, New York, NY - Promotional Events
200MetresH	22.61	+1.4	May 17	Manchester Great City Games, Manchester
400mH	49.21	-	May 3	Kingston Jamaica International Invitational IWC, National Stadium, Kingston
400mH	49.84	-	Apr 25	Des Moines Drake Relays, Des Moines, IA - Invitational Events
400mH	52.75	-	Feb 22	Perth Track Classic, Perth

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
400mH	50.24	-	Sep 1	Padova Meeting Citta Di Padova, Padova
400mH	48.22	-	Aug 15	IAAF World Championships, Luzhniki Stadion, Moskva
400mH	48.10	-	Aug 13	IAAF World Championships, Luzhniki Stadion, Moskva
400mH	49.20	-	Aug 12	IAAF World Championships, Luzhniki Stadion, Moskva
400mH	49.20	-	Aug 10	IAAF World Championships, Luzhniki Stadion, Moskva
400mH	48.22	-	Aug 10	IAAF World Championships, Luzhniki Stadion, Moskva
400mH	48.10	-	Aug 10	IAAF World Championships, Luzhniki Stadion, Moskva
400mH	51.14	-	Jul 27	London Sainsbury's Anniversary Games, Olympic Stadium, London - Diamond Discipline
400mH	51.14	-	Jul 26	London Sainsbury's Anniversary Games, Olympic Stadium, London - Diamond Discipline
400mH	48.83	-	Jul 19	Monaco Herculis, Stade Louis II, Monaco - Promotional Events
4x400m	3:02.82	-	Jul 7	CACAC Championships
400mH	48.58	-	Jul 4	Athletissima Lausanne, Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne - Diamond Discipline
400mH	49.68	-	Jun 30	Birmingham Sainsbury's Grand Prix, Alexander Stadium, Birmingham - Diamond Discipline
400m	46.27	-	Jun 1	Los Angeles Jim Bush Southern Cal Ch., Los Angeles, CA
200MetresH	22.68	-0.3	May 25	Manchester Great City Games, Manchester
800m	1:53.69	-	May 12	Los Angeles Oxy-Lu Last Chance Qualifier, Los Angeles, CA
4x400m	3:04.81	-	Apr 27	Philadelphia Penn Relays, Philadelphia, PA - Invitational Events

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
400mH	48.89	-	Sep 2	Berlin ISTAF, Olympiastadion, Berlin
400mH	48.42	-	Aug 30	Weltklasse Zürich, Letzigrund, Zürich - Diamond Discipline
400mH	48.13	-	Aug 20	Linz International Gugl Gala, Linz
400mH	48.93	-	Aug 17	Stockholm DN Galan, Olympiastadion, Stockholm - Diamond Discipline
400mH	47.63	-	Aug 6	The XXX Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, London
400mH	47.76	-	Aug 4	The XXX Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, London
400mH	49.24	-	Aug 3	The XXX Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, London
400mH	47.76	-	Aug 3	The XXX Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, London
400mH	47.63	-	Aug 3	The XXX Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, London
4x400m	DQ	-	Aug 3	The XXX Olympic Games, Olympic Stadium, London
400mH	49.68	-	Jul 13	Crystal Palace Aviva London Grand Prix, Crystal Palace, London - Diamond Discipline
400mH	48.56	-	Jul 6	Paris Meeting AREVA, Stade de France, Paris-St-Denis - Diamond Discipline
400mH	1:18.90	-	May 31	Roma Golden Gala
400mH	48.93	-	May 27	Meeting International Mohammed VI d'Athletisme de Rabat, Rabat
200MetresH	22.75	+0.1	May 20	Manchester Great CityGames, Manchester
400m	45.34	-	May 5	Los Angeles Oxy Invite, Los Angeles, CA
800m	1:48.99	-	Apr 14	Los Angeles Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner Kersee Invite, Los Angeles, CA - Invitational Events

Discipline	Result	Wind	Date	Competitions
400mH	48.85	-	Oct 27	Guadalajara Pan American Games, Guadalajara

Honours

San José NACAC Open Championships

400 Metres Hurdles

2015

IAAF World Championships

400 Metres Hurdles

2013

🥉

CACAC Championships

4x400 Metres Relay

2013

🥇

The XXX Olympic Games

400 Metres Hurdles

2012

🥉

Guadalajara Pan American Games

400 Metres Hurdles

2011

🥈

CACAC Championships

400 Metres Hurdles

2011

🥉

Guadalajara Pan American Games

400 Metres Hurdles

2011

IAAF World Championships

400 Metres Hurdles

2011

IAAF World Championships

400 Metres Hurdles

2009

IAAF World Championships

4x400 Metres Relay

2009

🥈

La Habana CAC Championships

400 Metres Hurdles

2009

Rio de Janeiro Pan American Games

400 Metres Hurdles

2007

Rio de Janeiro Pan American Games

400 Metres Hurdles

2007

🥈

IAAF World Championships

400 Metres Hurdles

2007

🥉

Rio de Janeiro Pan American Games

4x400 Metres Relay

2007

IAAF World Championships

4x400 Metres Relay

2007

Stuttgart IAAF World Athletics Final

400 Metres Hurdles

2007

🥉

Rio de Janeiro Pan American Games

4x400 Metres Relay

2007

🥇

The XXVIII Olympic Games

400 Metres Hurdles

2004

🥇

Weltklasse Zürich

400 Metres Hurdles

2004

🥇

Paris-St-Denis Meeting Gaz de France

400 Metres Hurdles

2004

🥇

Roma Golden Gala

400 Metres Hurdles

2004

🥇

Bergen Bislett Games

400 Metres Hurdles

2004

🥉

Santo Domingo Pan American Games

4x400 Metres Relay

2003

🥇

Monaco IAAF World Athletics Final

400 Metres Hurdles

2003

🥇

Santo Domingo Pan American Games

400 Metres Hurdles

2003

🥇

IAAF World Championships

400 Metres Hurdles

2003

🥇

Weltklasse Zürich

400 Metres Hurdles

2003

🥇

Roma Golden Gala

400 Metres Hurdles

2003

🥇

Paris-St-Denis Meeting Gaz de France

400 Metres Hurdles

2003

🥇

Santo Domingo Pan American Games

400 Metres Hurdles

2003

🥉

Santo Domingo Pan American Games

4x400 Metres Relay

2003

🥇

Paris-St-Denis Meeting Gaz de France

400 Metres Hurdles

2002

🥇

Paris IAAF Grand Prix Final

400 Metres Hurdles

2002

🥇

Madrid IAAF World Cup

4x400 Metres Relay

2002

🥇

Berlin ISTAF

400 Metres Hurdles

2002

🥇

Bruxelles Memorial Van Damme

400 Metres Hurdles

2002

🥇

Weltklasse Zürich

400 Metres Hurdles

2002

🥇

Monaco Herculis

400 Metres Hurdles

2002

🥇

Oslo ExxonMobil Bislett Games

400 Metres Hurdles

2002

🥇

Roma Golden Gala

400 Metres Hurdles

2002

🥇

Monte Carlo Herculis

400 Metres Hurdles

2001

🥇

Weltklasse Zürich

400 Metres Hurdles

2001

🥇

IAAF World Championships

400 Metres Hurdles

2001

🥇

Durham NCAA Championships

400 Metres Hurdles

2000

Winnipeg Pan American Games

400 Metres Hurdles

1999

Winnipeg Pan American Games

400 Metres Hurdles

1999

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Félix Sánchez's 400 m hurdles personal best?

Félix Sánchez's 400 m hurdles personal best is 47.25, set on Aug 29, 2003 in Stade de France, Paris-St-Denis (FRA), #15 on the all-time list.

Which events does Félix Sánchez compete in?

Félix Sánchez competes in the 400 m hurdles and 400 m.

How did Félix Sánchez perform in 2015?

2015 season best: 50.23, set on Aug 9, 2015 in San José (CRC). Last competition: San José NACAC Open Championships on Aug 9, 2015, 50.23.

How many medals has Félix Sánchez won?

Félix Sánchez has won 2 Olympic Games medals and 3 World Championships medals.

Félix Sánchez

Personal bests

Medals

Performance Charts

Season bests

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Honours

Frequently asked questions