In an exciting turn of events at the World Championships in Tokyo, Cordell Tinch has emerged as the new world champion in the 110-meter hurdles, marking the first time since 2017 that a new athlete holds the title. Tinch, who is 25 years old, delivered a stellar performance, clocking in at 12.99 seconds. This victory comes as the culmination of a remarkable season, with this being his 22nd race of the year and his 14th win. Tinch’s triumph was particularly significant as it was his first appearance at the global championships.
He outpaced two Jamaican athletes, Orlando Bennett, who finished with a time of 13.08 seconds, and Tyler Mason, who crossed the finish line at 13.12 seconds, securing the silver and bronze medals respectively. Earlier in the season, Tinch had already made waves by finishing second at the U.S. championships and later clinching the Diamond League final in Zurich.
Tinch’s rise coincides with a challenging year for Grant Holloway, the dominant force in the 110-meter hurdles for years, who faced setbacks due to a knee injury that affected his outdoor season. Holloway, the defending world champion, finished sixth in the semifinals with a time of 13.52 seconds—his second-worst performance in recent years. This year has seen him lose nine times, more than his total losses from the past three years combined.
In the women’s 1,500 meters, Faith Kipyegon continued to solidify her legacy by claiming her fourth consecutive world title, leading a strong showing by Team Kenya. Kipyegon, the reigning Olympic champion and world record holder, dominated the race with a final time of 3:52.15, finishing nearly three seconds ahead of silver medalist Dorcus Ewoi, who recorded a personal best of 3:54.92. The Australian Jess Hull earned a bronze medal, marking a significant achievement for her country in this event.
Kipyegon expressed her joy in defending her title and highlighted her ambition for more golds in the championships, eyeing victory in the upcoming 5,000 meters. Having medaled in every world championship since 2017, her only defeat came in 2019. The American competitors in this race, Nikki Hiltz and Sinclaire Johnson, finished fifth and 13th, respectively.
In the women’s and men’s 400 meters, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone showcased an extraordinary performance, clocking in at 48.29 seconds in her semifinal—a personal best that set a new American record. She will face off against previous world champions Marileidy Paulino and Salwa Eid Naser in the final. Meanwhile, Jacory Patterson qualified for the men’s final with a respectable 44.19 seconds, though he was not in an automatic spot.
The men’s 800 meters heats saw Cooper Lutkenhaus, the youngest U.S. competitor, finish seventh in his heat, while Donovan Brazier, the 2019 world champion, excelled, leading the heats with a timing of 1:44.66 seconds.
In a thrilling high jump competition, New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr claimed gold by clearing 2.36 meters, hitting a world-leading mark. He faced competition from South Korea’s Sanghyeok Woo, who earned silver, while two other competitors were eliminated after failing to clear 2.31 meters.
The hammer throw also witnessed a spectacular display from Canada’s Ethan Katzberg, who set a personal and championship record with a throw of 84.70 meters, securing his second consecutive world title and positioning himself among the top throwers in history. Germany’s Merlin Hummel and Hungary’s Bence Halász rounded out the podium in silver and bronze places, respectively.
As these championships unfold, the competitive spirit among athletes sets a riveting tone, priming audiences for more exhilarating performances and unexpected outcomes.
