American sprinter Brandon Hicklin has described his performance at the Miami Grand Slam on Sunday as “not too bad,” especially considering the whirlwind circumstances that brought him there.
The former long jumper received a surprise call from his agent early Friday morning — just as he was preparing to travel to China for another event. Within hours, Hicklin had shifted plans, packed his bags, and was on his way to compete against some of the fastest men in the world.
“It was literally out of nowhere,” he said. “I was on the plane to China when my agent called and told me, ‘You’re going to the Grand Slam.’ I just said, ‘Alright, cool. Let me pack my stuff.’”
Despite the lack of preparation time and lingering fatigue from recent intense training sessions, Hicklin put together a commendable performance, finishing fifth overall in the 100 meters with a time of 9.98 seconds, and clocking 20.40 seconds in the 200 meters.
Taking to his Instagram stories after the race, Hicklin reflected positively on the experience.
“Probably the most fun I’ve had in years,” he shared. “Coming from jumps to sprints is a hard and difficult switch, but now that I’m actually sprinting — it’s pretty much fun.”
Originally known for his prowess in the long jump, Hicklin’s transition to sprinting has taken time and adjustment. But now, he’s finding his rhythm.
“I try to blend the two styles — keeping the explosive front mechanics from jumping, while projecting forward like a sprinter,” he explained. “At the end of the day, it’s all about finding that common balance.”
While the 100m has become more familiar territory, the 200m remains a newer challenge. Nevertheless, Hicklin approached the race in Miami with a clear strategy.
What stood out wasn’t just his times, but his composure, adaptability, and hunger for growth — all despite limited time to prepare.
“My motive was to catch the guy in the lane outside of me,” he said. “I made that move quick, then focused on maintaining it. I feel like I did that well — but there’s always room to improve.”
“I wish I had better legs,” he admitted. “I had been working out hard for the last few weeks, so my body was a bit beat up. But I’m hopeful for the opportunity, and hopefully I can come back next time more prepared.”
While the Miami Grand Slam didn’t result in a podium finish, Hicklin proved he belongs on the big stage. He showed resilience, potential, and most importantly — joy in his craft.
If this was Hicklin’s version of “not too bad,” the sprint world better brace itself for what he’ll deliver when he’s at full throttle.
