Athletics – US student Tharp improves hurdles world record

US hurdler Ja’Kobe Tharp broke the world record in the 110 meter hurdles at the national university championships in Eugene, Oregon. The 20-year-old athlete ran 12.75 seconds in the semifinals and beat his compatriot Aries Merritt’s previous record from 2012 by five hundredths of a second. The time still has to be officially recognized by the world association World Athletics.

“I have no words, I’m speechless. This wasn’t even a perfect race. 12.75 – I still have more in my legs,” said Tharp, who competes for Auburn University in the US state of Alabama. For the U20 world champion, the performance at the NCAA Championships represents a huge leap in performance: he had never stayed under 13 seconds before.

In September 2025, Tharp finished sixth at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. In the winter he set the third fastest time in the 60 meter hurdles (indoor distance) with 7.32 seconds – just above Grant Holloway’s world record (7.27 seconds).