American athlete Cordell Tinch marked an impressive comeback at the track and field world championships held in Tokyo. His journey to success, however, has not been without its challenges. Tinch, who proudly took home the gold medal in the 110-meter hurdles, encapsulated his transformation from a hiatus-prone athlete to a world champion with a striking phrase: “from the couch to a world champion.”
The victory was secured at Japan’s National Stadium, where Tinch sprinted through Lane 7, clocking in at 12.99 seconds and narrowly beating Jamaica’s Orlando Bennett by just 0.09 seconds. Tyler Mason, another athlete from Jamaica, secured third place in a highly competitive race. Notably, Tinch’s season-best time stands at 12.87 seconds.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Tinch celebrated his win draped in the American flag and took a moment to express gratitude to his mother via a broadcast camera, exclaiming, “Love you mom.” His heartfelt tribute underscores the instrumental role both parents played during his three-year hiatus from athletics, a period he used to reassess his life and athletic ambitions.
Tinch’s break from the sport lasted from 2019 to 2022, a choice he made to search for personal direction. During this time, he tried his hand at various occupations, including working as a cellphone salesman, in a paper mill, at a moving company, and even took on food delivery tasks. Reflecting on those years, he humorously referred to them as “all the fun stuff.”
His return to competitive athletics came while running for Pittsburg State University in Kansas. It was an indoor meet early in that tenure that reignited his passion for the sport. “When that gun went off, that’s when I knew I was back where I was supposed to be,” Tinch recounted.
The three years away from hurdles played a pivotal role in shaping his newfound success. Tinch feels that his current triumph as world champion is a culmination of both his athletic talent and new mental fortitude. “So in three years to become the world champion — and best hurdler in the world,” he emphasized. He hopes this victory marks the beginning of many more to come.
With the pressures of the sport weighing heavily on him, Tinch expressed confidence in his ability to navigate the challenges that come with being a champion. “If it would have been 2019, 2020, I don’t think I would have been able to handle the pressure, handle the lights,” he acknowledged, highlighting the personal growth he has experienced throughout his journey.
