TORUŃ, Poland – Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas etched her name further into the record books Sunday at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26, equaling her own world record of 7.65 seconds to win her third consecutive 60m hurdles title. The victory solidifies Charlton’s dominance in the event and marks a historic achievement, making her the first athlete – male or female – to win three world indoor championships in the 60m hurdles. The atmosphere in Toruń’s Arena was electric as Charlton navigated the hurdles with her signature speed and precision, a testament to years of dedication and training.
The 30-year-old’s performance wasn’t without a challenge. Charlton admitted to a slight stumble early in the race, but quickly recovered to maintain her lead. “I didn’t have the best start, I stumbled a bit but I tried to fix it as fast as I could,” she said after the race. This win builds on her previous successes, including a gold medal at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow and a bronze medal from 2022. Charlton now holds three of the four fastest winning times in World Indoor Championships history: 7.65, 7.65, and 7.72 seconds.
The race was a showcase of incredible talent, with all eight finalists clocking times under 7.90 seconds. Nadine Visser of the Netherlands secured the silver medal with a time of 7.73 seconds, improving upon her bronze medal from 2018. A thrilling finish saw Polish athlete Pia Skrzyszowska claim the bronze medal, similarly clocking 7.73 seconds – a fresh Polish national record, just five thousandths of a second behind Visser. The home crowd erupted in cheers as Skrzyszowska’s name appeared on the board, demonstrating the growing strength of Polish hurdling.
A Rising Tide for Polish Hurdlers
Skrzyszowska’s bronze medal adds to the success Poland has experienced at these championships, following Jakub Szymański’s gold medal in the men’s 60m hurdles earlier in the competition. “Polish hurdling is becoming a global power,” Skrzyszowska stated, reflecting a growing confidence within the Polish athletics program. She added, “I did a strong dip at the finish line, and it paid off.” The success of both Szymański and Skrzyszowska signals a promising future for Polish athletes in the hurdles events.
The semifinal rounds hinted at the competitive final to come. Skrzyszowska and Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, the world 100m hurdles champion, initially set the pace with a joint world lead of 7.76 seconds. However, Charlton quickly surpassed them in the subsequent race, clocking 7.74 seconds despite visibly easing up before crossing the finish line. This demonstrated her control and confidence heading into the final.
Charlton’s Journey to Dominance
Charlton’s path to becoming a three-time world champion hasn’t been without its challenges. She has consistently refined her technique and physical conditioning, working with a dedicated team to optimize her performance. Her ability to maintain peak form and deliver under pressure is a testament to her mental fortitude. The athlete’s consistent improvement since the Glasgow championships has been remarkable, as she noted, “Since Glasgow, I have been improving a lot, and today I am really proud to win my third world indoor title in a row.”
The final saw Charlton positioned in lane six, alongside Skrzyszowska, the crowd favorite. The pressure was palpable, but Charlton remained focused, executing her race plan with precision. Ditaji Kambundji finished fourth in 7.75 seconds, and Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds matched her personal best with a time of 7.82 seconds for fifth place. Bahamas also saw strong representation with Denisha Cartwright finishing seventh in 7.90 seconds, while Charisma Taylor narrowly missed qualifying for the final, finishing with a personal best of 7.91 seconds – just five thousandths of a second off the qualifying time.
Visser, reflecting on her silver medal performance, acknowledged the high level of competition. “I had to run a record to win, that is why I have to stay happy that I came second – I did my best race,” she said. She also identified areas for improvement, stating, “I still have some space in which to improve, especially over my first hurdle and with my acceleration from the blocks.”
The World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26 have showcased the incredible talent and dedication of athletes from around the globe. You can revisit the highlights of the championships on World Athletics+.
Looking Ahead
With the indoor season now concluded, Charlton will likely turn her attention to the upcoming outdoor season and the prospect of competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Her current form suggests she will be a strong contender for a medal. The ratification of her equaled world record is still pending, as is standard procedure for such achievements. The next major event on the World Athletics calendar is the Diamond League season, which begins in May, offering fans another opportunity to witness the world’s best athletes in action.
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