BY SHEER FORCE of will, Grant Holloway won his third World outdoor title, joining fellow Americans Greg Foster and Allen Johnson at the top of the list.
The 25-year-old Florida alum said of his decisive 12.96 win in still wind, “Three in a row. The main thing was really just to come through here and defend my title.”
Fortunately, Holloway dodged the fate of some of his top challengers. Jamaica’s Rasheed Broadbell, the only man to beat Holloway this year with his 13.08–13.12 decision in Rabat, crashed out at the ninth hurdle in his heat. Holloway won his in an unpressed 13.18.
In the semis, the first went to Japan’s Shunsuke Izumiya in 13.16, just ahead of U.S. champ Daniel Roberts at 13.18. In the second, Holloway impressed with a 13.02. This year’s stunning newcomer to the party Cordell Tinch was never really in the game, finishing 4th in 13.31 and failing to advance. Semi III went to veteran Freddie Crittenden with a 13.17–13.18 win over Olympic champ Hansle Parchment of Jamaica.
In the final, the three Americans lined up together: Roberts in 3, Crittenden in 4, and Holloway in 5. Parchment ended up in 8.
At the sound of the gun, Holloway fell into the rhythm that has served him best, a lightning start and a swift clearance over the initial flight that has always thrown his opponents off. Through the next 9 hurdles, no one could challenge him. Eyes focused on the other medals. Roberts ran 2nd for the first half. Crittenden got out more slowly, while Parchment had a poor start and didn’t catch Crittenden till halfway.
Holloway leaned in celebration, his 12.96 the fastest of his three golds. Parchment stormed the later barriers to catch Roberts for silver, 13.07–13.09. Crittenden made 4th in 13.16.
In an event the United States has never swept, it marked the fourth time it has put 3 in the top 4.
Of this, his fastest, most clear-cut Worlds victory to date, Holloway said, “I’ve been really consistent this year and the aim here was just to continue that through the rounds. I felt no pressure at all, just wanted to run cleanly and stay calm at the finish line. I got a little sloppy at the end but that’s just tiredness like everybody had in the hurdles. Overall it was good though.
“Sub-13 in the final, I’ve got to be happy with that. My…
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