Quincy Hall, the newly crowned Olympic 400 metres men's champion, might sport a set of gold teeth alongside his medal, yet he emphasizes that he did not come from a privileged background. The 26-year-old American delivered an outstanding Olympic performance on Wednesday, emerging from behind to secure his place as the fourth fastest man in the event's history.

Mentored by fellow Kansas native and 2000 Olympic 100m champion Maurice Greene, Hall's unconventional path is evident in his source of inspiration for his 'grit'. 'Raising dogs and raising animals,' Hall explained to Fox4kc.com in July. 'You just see the determination the animal has, I just try to keep that same determination because you can't outwork a dog,' he added, referring to his six dogs.

Remarkably, Hall transitioned from 400m hurdles to the flat race just two years ago, admitting to Fox4kc.com, 'I was wasting a lot of time on those hurdles man. Those boys are just as fast and they can hurdle, I can't hurdle, I'm not as flexible, I don't bend like that.' A year later, he claimed a world bronze in Budapest, promising to upgrade that medal in Paris—a promise he fulfilled.

Training alone, Hall's methodical pursuit of his competitors mirrors his solitary training style. His journey to the top has been unconventional, experimenting with various distances including cross country running and participating in multiple events from 200m to 1500m in school meets. Off the track, he faced personal challenges with the early deaths of two brothers, whom he honored after his victory.

Hall also acknowledged his two daughters, Abri, 7, and two-year-old A'lani, with whom he shared a playful moment. Reflecting on his hardscrabble past, where he worked two jobs to finance his education, he found parallels with his life and his favorite animal. 'You got to get your own food. No cafeteria, no study hall, none of that. You can find out how to be a dog by yourself,' he remarked.

His decision to move far from Kansas also meant distancing himself from his support system, his mother Iecia Fritz, a single parent who raised him along with his surviving siblings, Milton and Breanna. 'Rewarding, I was a single mother and just seeing him grow up and to live his dream, that's been exciting for me,' Fritz shared with Fox4kc.com. She was present in Paris for his triumphant moment, despite her nerves.

Fritz recognized her son's natural talent early on, recalling a race when he was just five years old. 'My brother turns around and says 'Hey, this boy can run!'' Over two decades later, Hall transformed that early promise into Olympic glory, a testament to his natural talent and the resilience forged through challenging times.

'I don't give up, man,' Hall affirmed. 'I grit. I grind. I got determination. Anything I can think of that's going to get me to that line, I think of it. All the hurt. All the pain.'