American Grant Holloway improved his own world record in the 60m hurdles at the US Indoor Championships on Friday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Tia Jones equaled the women’s record.
Holloway (26 years old), who had run in 7 sec 29 in 2021 and 2022, raced in 7 sec 27 during the heats.
He then did not compete in the final, preferring to preserve himself, although the United States championships served on Friday and Saturday as selection trials for the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow (March 1-3).
Holloway has an invitation to the 60m hurdles as reigning world champion.
At 26, the Floridian confirms that he is the greatest runner in the history of this mainly winter discipline.
Holloway is now undefeated in 60 races over the distance since his professional debut seven years ago. He holds six of the seven best performances in history, surrounding the former world record of Briton Colin Jackson (7.30 in 1994).
The University of Florida alum is also a three-time world champion in the 110m hurdles. The only thing missing from his record is Olympic gold, which he will chase this summer in Paris (July 26 – August 11), after winning silver in Tokyo in 2021.
In 110m hurdles, Holloway is the second best performer in history (12.81 in 2021), behind the record of his compatriot Aries Merritt (12.80 in 2012).
A few minutes before Holloway, the little-known Tia Jones raced in 7 sec 67 to equal the world record established by Bahamian Devynne Charlton on February 11 in New York.
She then confirmed her dazzling form in the final in 7 sec 68, the 3rd fastest time in history.
At 23, Jones, junior world champion in the 100m hurdles in 2018, will take part in her first senior international championship in Glasgow.
These superb performances were achieved at altitude in Albuquerque (around 1,619 m). A world record can be set there: Christian Coleman established the current 60m record there in 2018 (6.34).
In the long jump, Tara Davis-Woodhall jumped 7.18m, the world’s best performance of the season.
Pole vaulter Chris Nilsen rose to 6 m to beat Sam Kendricks (5.95 m).
On Saturday a tantalizing duel is expected between Noah Lyles and Christian Coleman over 60m.