In a stunning upset that has sent shockwaves through the global track and field community, 19-year-old Auburn University athlete Ja’Kobe Tharp delivered a history-making performance on Wednesday at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships held in Eugene, Oregon. Competing in the preliminary round of the men’s 110m hurdles — a stage where many athletes hold back to conserve energy for the later, high-stakes final — Tharp defied all expectations and crossed the finish line in a wind-legal 12.75 seconds, with a tailwind reading of +1.0m/s that meets international track and field standards for record validation.
This blistering time lowers the previous men’s 110m hurdles world record, marking one of the most unexpected record-breaking feats in recent NCAA athletics history. Prior to this race, Tharp was not widely ranked as the favorite to claim a world record, making his preliminary round achievement even more surprising to fans and analysts alike.
By securing his spot in the event’s final with his historic run, Tharp now has a rare opportunity to cap off his already groundbreaking achievement with an NCAA national title. Track and field fans around the world are already turning their attention to the upcoming final, waiting to see if Tharp can repeat his dominant performance and further cement his place in athletics history.