Eugene, 11 June (H.S.):

American hurdling sensation Ja’Kobe Tharp produced a historic performance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Thursday, setting a new world record in the men’s 110-meter hurdles during the heats.

Representing Auburn University, the 20-year-old clocked an astonishing 12.75 seconds, surpassing the previous world record of 12.80 seconds set by American hurdler Aries Merritt in 2012.

The remarkable run immediately established Tharp as one of the brightest young talents in global athletics and marked one of the standout moments of the NCAA Championships.

Speaking after his record-breaking performance, Tharp admitted that setting a world record had not been part of his expectations heading into the race.

“I didn’t plan to do that,” Tharp said. “Honestly, that wasn’t my intention.”

Running from lane five, Tharp appeared slightly behind the leaders at the start. However, after clearing the third hurdle, he surged into the lead and steadily increased his advantage. Maintaining exceptional rhythm and speed over the remaining barriers, he crossed the finish line in record time to the delight of spectators in Eugene.

Reflecting on his preparation, Tharp said he had been confident that his training would allow him to produce something special at the championship.

“I knew that by the time we reached this competition, my preparation would be at its peak because we designed our training specifically for this event,” he said. “I believed I was capable of doing something extraordinary; I just had to execute it correctly.”

Tharp's breakthrough performance continues a rapid rise in his athletics career. He previously captured the gold medal at the 2024 World Athletics Under-20 Championships, establishing himself as one of the sport’s most promising young hurdlers.

Despite the impressive achievement, the record is still subject to official ratification by World Athletics before it can be formally recognized as a world record.

If approved, Tharp’s 12.75-second run will stand as the fastest performance ever recorded in the men’s 110-meter hurdles, surpassing a mark that had remained unbeaten for nearly 14 years and signaling the arrival of a potential new star in world athletics.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar