100 / 110 Meter Hurdles
Video
Recap
AMUSAN ERASES A 22-YEAR-OLD MEETING RECORD
It was one of the most star-studded line-ups at Letzigrund Stadium this year. And the world’s fastest hurdlers treated the crowd to an incredible show indeed. World champion and world record holder Tobi Amusan (NGR) erased the 12.40-meeting record set by Gail Devers (USA) in 2000, lowering it to an impressive 12.29.
The top favourite prevailed in the men’s high hurdles: Reigning world champion Grant Holloway (USA) defeated Olympic champion Hansle Parchment (JAM) in 13.02. Parchment’s fellow countryman Rasheed Broadbell managed to squeeze in between the two.
Swiss hurdlers Jason Joseph (13.54) and Ditaji Kambundji (13.22) placed sixth and ninth.
Preview
OLYMPIC VS WORLD CHAMPION
At the world championships, Tobi Amusan (26, right) flew over the hurdles like a rocket – and set a new world record. Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (26) from Puerto Rico had to make do with a bronze medal in that Eugene final. In Lausanne, Camacho challenged the new world champion, and won. She will challenge her Nigerian colleague again in Zurich. Both athletes have close ties with the US: Camacho was born in South Carolina, while Amusan is currently studying in Texas. The star-studded race will also feature Ditaji Kambundji (20), Switzerland’s European championship bronze medallist.
HOLLOWAY TO TRY TO AVOID ANY SURPRISES
Grant Holloway (24) had been a favourite for the Olympic title in Tokyo last year. But then, Jamaica’s Hansle Parchment (32) took him by surprise and defeated him by five hundredths of a second in the final. Now, Holloway, US-American, world indoor record holder and two-time world champion, would like to make sure that history does not repeat itself. In Eugene, Parchment, who is also a trained psychologist, had injured himself prior to the final. Spanish European champion Asier Martínez (22) would like to have a say in the outcome of the race, as well. And Jason Joseph, who had placed fourth in the European championships this summer, has a score to settle, after being disqualified due to a false start last year.
Stats
Olympic Champion: Jasmine CAMACHO-QUINN (PUR) 12.37
World Champion: Tobi AMUSAN (NGR) 12.06 (+2.5)
European Champion: Pia SKRZYSZOWSKA (POL) 12.53
World Lead: Tobi AMUSAN (NGR) 12.12
Olympic Champion: Hansle PARCHMENT (JAM) 13.04
World Champion: Grant HOLLOWAY (USA) 13.13
European Champion: Asier Martinez (ESP) 13.14
World Lead: Devon ALLEN (USA) 12.84
Quotes
Ditaji Kambundji (SUI): It is always special to come home and run in front of the home crowd. Five years ago I took part in UBS Kids Cup and I reached the final. Running the final in this stadium [Letzigrund], I remember feeling like a little star. So now it is nice to come back five years later to run in the real Diamond League.
I am expecting to have fun and to enjoy the energy in the stadium. I want to try to try to run faster, to have my best race.
Tobi Amusan (NGR): I just won the title at the worlds, that was a great accomplishment. And I got the World record, I am grateful for that. Every year we train really hard but you can never really tell what will happen. It is important to have a positive mindset.
The goal is to focus on the line and myself. Every time I step on the track I want to win. You cannot be too cautious but you also have to be as relaxed as you can.
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PUR): Being able to represent Puerto Rico is great, we just start to come up, we also have a lady in the triple jump. Once the vest on, it is a pride thing, I am just going out there doing my best. If it is not my best, I still can put a smile on the face of my people. This is the second big year for me and seeing a Puerto Rican flag there, it just warms my heart.
