Tinch takes first global gold with 110m hurdles win in Tokyo

Image: Getty Images, courtesy of World Athletics

With three-time defending champion Grant Holloway eliminated in the semifinals, it was another US athlete, Cordell Tinch, who claimed victory in the 110m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 on Tuesday (16).

The world leader led the race from start to finish and was the sole athlete to dip under 13 seconds, clocking 12.99 (-0.3m/s).

“I came into this season with the goal of winning the world title. Keeping the medal with America is fantastic,” said Tinch.

“Being the only one to run sub-13 today makes me happy. I believed I was the best out there, so I didn't feel any pressure.” 

He extended the USA’s record of title wins in this event to 13 from 20 editions of the World Championships.

“I stepped away from the track for a couple of years, but I am not regretting it at all,” he added. “If I hadn't taken that break from the track, I wouldn't be a world champion now. Everything I learned at that time away from the sport made me the man I am and a world champion. There are ups and downs, but at the end of the day you get what you're supposed to get.”

A first global title crowns a remarkable season for the 25-year-old. Tinch had already won five Diamond League races this year, including the final at Zurich’s Weltklasse.

In Tokyo, he claimed victory ahead of Jamaicans Orlando Bennett and Tyler Mason, who clocked respective personal bests of 13.08 and 13.12. For the two athletes, the result is a breakthrough achievement.

Spain’s Enrique Llopis finished fourth in 13.16, while Japan’s Rachid Muratake was fifth in front of home fans. After running 13.17 in the semifinals for the third-best time, could not improve and clocked 13.18.

Fifth at the Paris Olympics last year, Muratake had been one of Japan’s brightest medal hopes on the track. The 23-year-old is the second-fastest man in the world this season thanks to his national record of 12.92 set last month.

This time he finished one place ahead of USA’s Ja’Kobe Tharp (13.31), while France’s Just Kwaou-Mathey – the third-fastest hurdler in the world this season having also gone under 13 seconds – had to settle for seventh in 13.42.

The biggest disappointment came for Switzerland’s Jason Joseph. Struggling right from the start, the Rome Diamond League winner failed to clear the first hurdle, ending any chance of a podium finish. 

Story by: Pierre Pillet for World Athletics