By Justin Gaymon // Photo by Victah Sailor of Photorun

David Verburg’s confidence is way up.

And not just because he beat LaShawn Merritt to the line in the 400m final at last month’s USATF Championships.

“I’ve gained confidence in my racing,” said Verburg, who graduated from George Mason University in 2013. “Not so much from winning USAs, but from being consistently under 45 seconds. In this sport consistency is key, so I get confidence from that.”

Verburg had run 44.63 to edge out Merritt’s 44.66, and has since ran 44.81 for third place at the Paris Diamond League meet and 44.72 for second place in the Madrid World Challenge meet.

Next up for Verburg will be the London and Stockholm Diamond League meets, where he hopes to continue his string of sub-45 second performances and make subtle improvements to his race tactics.

“When it comes to training and approaching races, my coach and I are continuing what we’ve been doing. If it ain't broke done fix it. I’m in shape, so now it's about getting a smooth race pattern and critiquing the small things.”

Verburg will face tough competition in London with a 400m field that includes Botswanian Isaac Makwala and South American Wayde van Niekerk, who have both ran under 44 seconds this year. The 400m field for Stockholm has yet to be released.

“I feel good going into London, and it’s always great to race great athletes, but right now my main focus is on the 400 at World Championships.”

At this August’s World Championships in Beijing, China, Verburg will compete in the 400m with the goal of earning an individual medal and 4x400m relay with the goal of reestablishing Team USA’s dominance in the event after taking second to the Bahamas in the 2012 Olympics.  

This will be Verburg’s third time competing for Team USA at a World Championship meet. His first was during the 2013 World Championships, where he helped Team USA earn gold in the 4x400m relay. His second was during the 2014 World Indoor Championships, where he placed fourth in the 400m and helped Team USA break the world indoor record in the 4x400m relay.