The Olympic champion clocks 12.17 seconds in 100m hurdles, recording second-fastest time in history here at the Miami Grand Slam Track event in
Masai Russell delivered a historic performance at the Grand Slam Track meet at Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar on Friday (May 2), breaking the American record in the women’s 100m hurdles with a remarkable time of 12.17 seconds. The 24-year-old Olympic champion’s achievement stands as the second-fastest time ever recorded in the event.
Masai Russell Opened Day 1 With Stunning Performance
We were expecting something fantastic performances across the three days, but to be honest, none of us expected such a fast time from the Paris 2024 Olympic champion. The competition at Ansin Sports Complex featured perfect conditions with a maximum allowable tailwind of 2.0, helping produce exceptional times across multiple events.
After crossing the finishing line Masai Russell, the former Kentucky standout, appeared visibly shocked when she saw her record-breaking time on the scoreboard. Even some of the officials standing next to me were left without motion.
“I can’t even tell you,” said a surprised Russell after the race. “These women bring out the best in me.”
Fellow American Tia Jones pushed Russell to her record-breaking performance, finishing just behind with a time of 12.19 seconds—now the third-fastest mark in history.
Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent rounded out the top three in the event, posting a time of 12.34 seconds.
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Russell’s time surpasses the previous American record of 12.20 seconds set by Keni Harrison in 2016. The world record still belongs to Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, who ran 12.12 seconds at the 2022 World Championships.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Also Fast At Miami Grand Slam Track
In the women’s 100m, American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden continued her dominant season with a blistering 10.75-second victory, though wind readings of 2.4m/s exceeded the allowable limit.
The Coastal Carolina graduate was collecting a second victory in the event, following her victory at the Kingston Grand Slam opening meeting of the event.
Tamari Davis followed Jefferson-Wooden home in second place in a time of 10.79 seconds, while former LSU star, Nigeria’s Favour Ofili finished third in 10.94, following by Americans Gabby Thomas 10.97 and Jacious Sears at 10.98.
“I want to be one of the greatest to ever do this sport,” declared Jefferson-Wooden, who claimed bronze at the Paris Olympics and is hoping for another successful championship season later this year.
“I don’t want to be one of the ones who they say, ‘She was always on the circuit, but she didn’t win a lot of medals.’ No, I want when people see Melissa Jefferson-Wooden to know that she’s here and she’s not here to play.”
Jefferson-Wooden won the 100m and 200m sprint double in Kingston.
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The men’s events also saw impressive performances.
World Leading 200m Time At Miami Grand Slam Track
Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards and Dominican Republic’s Alexander Ogando needed photo-finish to separate them in the 200m after both men crossed the finish line in 19.86 (1.7m/s).
Ogando got away to the best start and covered his rivals entering the home straight. However, after a close battle in the losing stages, he was caught by Richards with Caribbean star getting the nod for victory. The time is the fastest performance in the world so far this season.
World champion Josh Kerr of Great Britain won a closely battled men’s 1500m in 3:34.51, beating American Paris Olympic medalists Yared Nuguse, who ran 3:34.65 for second place, and Olympic champion Cole Hocker, who clocked 3:34.79 in third place.
In a tactical 3000m race, Ireland’s Andrew Coscoran (8:17.56) pipped Grant Fisher (8:17.60) and George Mills (8:17.77) for victory
In other results on Day 1 at the Miami Grand Slam Track Meeting in Broward County, Florida, Brazil’s Alison dos Santos, the 2022 world champion, continued his winning streak in the 400-meter hurdles, taking the top spot here on Friday in 47.97 seconds.
After seeing some of his competitors either stopping or thrown off by hitting hurdles, Dos Santos held it together to finish nearly a second ahead of USA’s Chris Robinson, who clocked 48.92.
In the women’s 400 meters, Dominican Republic’s Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino won in 49.21 seconds, holding off early front runner Salwa Eid Naser, who posted 49.33.
This three-day competition in Miramar marks the second meet of Grand Slam Track’s inaugural season. The new circuit, created by four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson, aims to challenge the Diamond League’s longtime dominance in professional track and field.
