by Deji Ogeyingbo
The 2024 USATF Indoor Champs is a two-day event. The first day of the event had 2 World records (weight throw, 60m hurdles, Men), an equalling of World record (Women’s 60m hurdles), and a world-leading long jump for women. Deji wrote about five things we learned from Day 1, which you can find here! Deji can also be seen on this event on social media, as he did on day 1 , for day 2, 3-7 pm Eastern US time.
Five things we learnt on Day 1 of the USATF Indoor Championships
In anticipation of the upcoming World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, elite USA athletes convened in Albuquerque, New Mexico, aiming to solidify their positions on the national team. Day 1 witnessed remarkable performances, notably from Grant Holloway, who shattered the World Record in the men’s 60m hurdles. Additionally, Tia Jones replicated the outstanding achievement by equaling the women’s record set by Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas at the Millrose Games just days prior.
Here are some talking points on the first day of the Championships.
Grant Holloway solidifies his status as the most outstanding 60mH hurdler of all time.
The numbers are just outrageous. Yes, we will stick to it, because how else will you measure what Grant Holloway has done? Not that we were surprised one bit, though. The 60m World Record holder continues to prove to the casuals why no one comes close to him over the distance as he lowered his record to 7.27s to win his heat on Day 1.
Having never lost a 60mH race in his career, Holloway isn’t one to have a bad day. He now holds four of the top five times in history, with Colin Jackson, the only man to have run 7.30s.
“I knew it would be good when I got out of the blocks. My main thing was just to continue to keep going through my steps and my rhythm. I wasn’t too upset about it; 7.27 here on a nice track is always a good thing.”
Having opted not to run the final, it remains to be seen if he will translate this impeccable form into the outdoor season as he chases a first Olympic title.
Tia Jones continues to set the track on fire.
Tia Jones was the U.S. leader by a good margin with her 7.72 win at New Balance last month heading into the USATF Indoor Championships. In the heats, Jones achieved a remarkable feat by equaling the World Record of 7.67s. This record, initially set by Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas at the Millrose Games, now matches Jones, showcasing her exceptional talent and how much she continues to improve.
Less than an hour later, Jones lined up in the final as she dropped another jaw-breaking time to win the women’s 60m hurdles at the USATF Indoors in 7.68s. She finished ahead of Jasmine Jones, who ran a Personal Record (PR) of 7.78s. Massai Russell in 7.80s for third place.
An eighth Indoor National title for Vashti Cunningham
Still only 26, US High Humper Vashti Cunningham continues to blaze the trail Nationally. Having won her first indoor title at eighteen in 2016, the jumper continues her winning streak as she leapt to her eighth Indoor title.
Cunningham had only three attempts at the heights, scaling 1.85m, 1.89m, and 1.92m. It was the last height that gave the win ahead of JaiCieonna Gero-Holt, who missed all her attempts at 1.92m. It feels like a long time since she won her world title, and she will be hoping to make amends in Glasgow in a few days.
Yared Nuguse continues to get better and better…
Coming off the back of winning his second straight Men’s Wanamaker Mile with a time of 3:47.83, just missing the world record by 0.82 seconds at the Millrose games last weekend, Yared Nuguse continues to grow in leaps and bounds. At this point, he seems to be the only probable challenger to Jakob Ingebrigtsen, both indoors and outdoors.
Here in Albuquerque, Nuguse of the On Athletics Club secured victory in the U.S. 3000m title race, clocking a time of 7:55.76 to earn qualification for the World Indoor Championships. Nuguse impressively closed the final lap with a swift time of 26.10, showcasing his speed on the final lap.
“When (Olin) went, I felt really energized, like ‘okay, it’s time to go.’ I was able to follow quickly behind him. I was really grateful for that move honestly. It’s hard to get it going when you’re not behind someone else.”
It’s hard to see how Nuguse will not medal over the distance in Glasgow, and what we witnessed here is another step in his journey to greatness.
Tara Davis Woodhall’s year to shine
It has never been in doubt the sort of talent Tara Davis-Woodhall has over the horizontal distance since she turned Professional two years ago. Since then, she has notched a Silver at the world outdoor championships in Budapest in 2023.
Davis-Woodhall won her first indoor title as a greenhorn in 2021, but this weekend, in which she soared to a massive Personal Best (PB) of 7.18m to secure victory, sees her set the Facility record and the world lead. Only Ivana Vuleta has jumped father in the last seven years when she recorded 7.24m indoors. Don’t be surprised if she gets her first world title in Glasgow.
