byLarry EderSergey Shubenkov has had the world lead this season. Shubenkov is one of the finest 110 meter hurdlers of his generation. His timing is excellent and his hurdling is pretty impressive to watch. That is why his false start in Paris was so strange. Shubenkov does not false start often. The TV feed showed Sergey Shubenkov watching the race, from the side of the track; it looked to me like hurdlers’ hell.
Aries Merritt, Sergey Shubenkov, Devon Allen, Monaco DL 2017, photo by PhotoRun.net
Shubenkov found track late in his teenage life. At the ripe old age of sixteen, Sergey Shubenkov found hurdling. His mother, Natalya Shubenkova, was 4th in the 1988 Olympics in the heptathlon.
At the World Championships, Sergey has taken all three colors of medals: bronze in 2013 Moscow, gold in 2015 Beijing, and silver in 2017 London. His 2012 London Olympic debut was an experience, and his 2016 Rio did not happen, due to the banning of Russia from Olympic competition.
In 2017, I thought that Sergey handled the numerous questions as a London World Championships silver medalist in the 110m hurdles about how he felt on not really representing Russia. I like Sergey; he’s no BS, let me hurdle. And when he does well, the smile shows it all: pleasure with the win and enjoying the accolades.
At the 8th Gyulai Memorial, Shubenkov had a great start, and just hurdled, clearing all ten hurdles, one fine series of movements after another. The race was nearly flawless as he dominated the field. It reminded me of the experience that Aries Merritt had in 2012: a DQ the meet before he set the WR. Shubenkov is in near perfect condition. Can he run faster? Yes! Can he get the WR? I am not sure, but it will be fun to watch! Congrats to Sergey Shubenkov on his 12.92 NR/WL!
The video of the fine race is right below, just below!
