Perri Shakes-Drayton
A British hurdling star whose raw power and indoor dominance were tragically curtailed by a devastating knee injury.
Born 1988 (age 38)·English track and field athlete·Birthday: December 21·Millennials
Biography
Perri Shakes-Drayton exploded onto the track with a force that seemed destined for the Olympic podium. A powerhouse from East London, she dominated the one-lap hurdles with a unique combination of sheer speed and aggressive technique. Her peak was breathtaking: in 2013, she tore through the indoor season to become European 400m champion and entered the World Championships as a gold medal favorite. Then, in a cruel twist during her semi-final in Moscow, her knee buckled. The injury was catastrophic, halting a career at its absolute zenith. Her courageous return as a flat 400m runner, earning relay medals through sheer grit, added a poignant chapter to a story of what might have been.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Perri was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Perri Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Perri's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 400m gold medal at the 2013 European Athletics Indoor Championships.
- Anchored the British women's 4x400m relay team to a gold medal at the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships.
- Won a silver medal in the 4x400m relay at the 2013 World Championships in Athletics.
- Holds a personal best of 53.67 seconds in the 400m hurdles, set in 2013, which ranked her among the world's best.
Did You Know?
She was a talented netball player in her youth and only focused on athletics at age 16.
She trained at the same East London club (Victoria Park Harriers) as former world record holder Sally Gunnell.
Her mother, Pauline, was also a sprinter.
She studied Psychology at Brunel University alongside her athletic career.
“I don't think about the hurdles; I just attack them.”
