Five U.S. Athletes Met With The Press To Discuss Their Stories And Preparation For World Championships
By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor
Logan Hannigan-Downs photo
TOKYO – Cordell Tinch’s unusual path to becoming the No. 1 men’s 110-meter hurdler in the world this year makes him one of the most interesting characters in the World Athletics Championships, which begin on Saturday.
Five members of the U.S. team met with media Friday on the eve of the championships.
Tinch is an extraordinary athletic talent. Two years ago, coming out of Pittsburg State (Kan.), a Division 2 school, he was not only a hurdler. He was a 27-foot long jumper and a 7-3 high jumper.
Tinch dropped out of the sport during the COVID-19 pandemic and moved on with life, uninterested in going back to school and working a series of jobs, selling cell phones, moving furniture, installing cable and working in a paper mill.
“I don’t think I make it to where I am here without taking that break,” Tinch said.
That time away allowed Tinch to “find himself,” examine where he was and where he wanted to go.
A friend who was transferring to Pittsburg State convinced him to explore the possibility of joining him and going back to school in early 2023. Even when arrived on campus he wasn’t quite sure about it.
Tinch said it was his indoor meet for Pittsburg State, at the Washburn Open, that drew him back to the sport.
“When the gun went off that’s when I knew, that’s where I’m supposed to be,” Tinch said.
That was a little more than two and a half years ago.
“Great things have been happening ever since I took that step and believed in myself,” he said.
In the summer of 2023, Tinch made the U.S. team for Budapest, but did not advance to the final. In 2024, he was fourth at the Olympic Trials and did not make the Paris team.
But this year, everything has clicked. While the United States’ premier hurdler, Grant Holloway, has dealing with a knee injury, Tinch has stepped to the forefront.
In May, Tinch ran a time of 12.87 seconds to become the fourth-fastest man in world history.
In Tokyo, at 25, he’ll take aim at his first global medal.
Tausaga Deals With ‘Imposter Syndrome’
Laulauga Tausaga said Friday that her success in Budapest two years ago, when she won the gold medal in the women’s discus, left her feeling conflicted.
She threw four meters beyond her season best to win the world title (69.49m).
But did one big throw make her a champion?
“I walked away…
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