Rocktape Welcomes American Hurdler Damu Cherry

Rocktape, the leader in high performance athletic tape and accessories for active people everywhere, today announced a multi-year partnership with 2008 Olympic hurdler and 2012 Olympic hopeful Damu Cherry.

“All of us at Rocktape are very excited to add Damu Cherry to our list of Rockstars, and are especially pleased to support Damu as she makes her run for the 2012 Olympics,” said Greg van den Dries, president of Rocktape. “We have a special passion to support American women aspiring to make their Olympic teams. In addition to Damu, we are also a proud sponsor of Shelley Evans as she strives to make the US Olympic cycling team.”

Cherry competes in the 100 meter hurdles and is currently ranked #2 in the United States and #7 in the world by Track and Field News.

“Running is a tough sport, and I sometimes suffer from achilles tendonitis. I’ve tried other types of kinesiology tape, but find that Rocktape wears longer and actually seems to help more with my discomfort*,” said Cherry. “I have lots of competitions this year, and with Olympic tryouts in my future, I want to do everything I can to stay strong and healthy. Rocktape is helping me with that goal.”

In 2009, Cherry racked up a series of impressive results: 3rd in semifinal at World Outdoors (12.76); 3rd at USA Outdoor Champs (12.58); 2nd at Nike Prefontaine Classic (12.74); 2nd at Doha (12.72); 1st at Berlin (12.71); 1st at Oslo (12.68); 2nd at Rethymno (12.53). On the road to qualifying for the 2008 Olympic team, she took second at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, and posted two of the four fastest 100m hurdles times in the world with her 12.47 second win in Fort-de-France on May 8 of that year, and her 12.48 second time to win her semifinal at the Olympic Trials on July 7. Cherry’s 12.65 time at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing netted her a fourth place finish.

Damu Cherry currently resides and trains in Winter Garden, Florida, and is coached by Dennis Mitchell.