Amazing final day of USATF Indoors! Coleman’s WR of 6.34

ALBUQUERQUE (USA, Feb 18): World 100m silver medallist Christian Coleman crushed the world record in the 60m on the third day of the USATF Indoor Championships in Albuquerque (1619m above sea level), stopping the clock at 6.34 to shave 0.05 off Maurice Greene’s long-standing record. Coleman opened his 2018 season with a time of 6.37, but whether the mark would be accepted as world record was in doubt due to electronic blocks not being used at the meet. “I was just trying to come out with the win. My start was decent. Every time, I feel like I’ve got a lot of work to do (coming out of the blocks). When I transitioned, I stood up, and I felt as good as I’ve ever felt. I just kept running to the tape to get that win,” said Coleman. Ronnie Baker moved to third on the world all-time lists with 6.40 ahead of Mike Rodgers in third in 6.50. There was very nearly another world record in the 60m hurdles as Sharika Nelvis set an American record of 7.70, just missing Susanna Kallur’s world record of 7.68. In the fastest 60m hurdles race of all-time, world 100m hurdles record-holder Kendra Harrison was second in 7.72 with Christina Manning (still has a chance within IAAF World Indoor Tour win) third in 7.73 and there was another high quality men’s 60m hurdles final with Jarrett Eaton winning in a 7.43 WL and PB from Aries Merritt in 7.46 (his fastest time since 2012) and Devon Allen in 7.49. There were also world-leads on the track from Javianne Oliver in the women’s 60m in a 7.02 PB and Courtney Okolo with 51.16 in the 400m ahead of Shakima Wimbley (51.17) with world champion Phyllis Francis opening with a world-leading 51.19 in the first of two timed heats. In an excellent pole vault competition, Katie Nageotte cleared a lifetime best and world-leading mark of 4.91m on her first attempt to move to fourth on the world indoor all-time lists, defeating reigning world indoor champion Sandi Morris (4.86m) and world indoor record-holder Jenn Suhr (4.81m). World champion Brittney Reese also went out to a world-leading 6.88m to claim the long jump title. Will Claye produced a season’s best of 17.28m to win a good quality triple jump from Chris Carter (17.20m) and Omar Craddock (17.11m) and there were also titles from reigning world indoor champion Vashti Cunningham in the high jump (1.97m) and Ryan Whiting in the shot put (20.65m). Elsewhere on the track, Michael Cherry won the 400m in 45.53, Donavan Brazier (1:45.10) and Ajee Wilson (2:01.60) claimed the 800m titles and Paul Chelimo and Shelby Houlihan added to their 3000m titles with wins in the 1500m in 3:42.91 and 4:13.07 respectively. With help from USATF.