Tharp times finish to perfection to win Ultimate 110m hurdles title

Ja'Kobe Tharp wins the 110m hurdles at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship Budapest 26 (© Getty Images)

After scraping through the semifinals as the sixth-fastest qualifier, world record-holder Ja’Kobe Tharp rebounded to win the men’s 110m hurdles final at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship Budapest 26.

It initially appeared as though Cordell Tinch had clinched the title as the world champion started celebrating the moment he crossed the line, but the slow-motion replay confirmed that Tharp’s late charge for the line had resulted in victory in 12.94 (-0.6m/s) to Tinch’s 12.95.

The race got away at the second time of asking after European champion Jason Joseph was disqualified for a false start. Bradley Franklin – who had impressed in the heats by becoming the 33rd member of the sub-13-second club, winning in 12.99 – once again got off to a strong start, as did Tharp.

Franklin faltered in the closing stages, allowing Tinch to charge past his US compatriot. But Tharp’s closing speed was superior and he just caught Tinch on the line.

Franklin’s 12.99 in the semifinals made him the fifth athlete this year – a record number – to break 13 seconds. That record was improved in the final as Tinch became the sixth man to better that mark.

Franklin finished third in the final in 13.01, 0.07 ahead of Trey Cunningham in a race where US athletes filled the top four places.

"It sounds strange to be the NCAA champion only and then to win the Ultimate Championship, but my coach and I wanted to come out here and get the win – and I did it by a lean," said Tharp. "If I had lost this race, it would have been the only championship that I have lost this year. I ran as hard as I could from the last hurdle to the finish line to get my way.

"Right now, I am much more excited for my future in athletics, even though I am still going to classes," added Tharp. "Can you believe that I did my homework this morning? It was geography, English, the boring stuff. I had much more fun here!"

Tinch was magnanimous in defeat. “I thought I did it,” he said. “I’d still like to see the photo-finish, but I can’t complain. This was the first time this year I felt I was running the race the same way I was running all races last year. The Ultimate Championship is about showing the best version of yourself, so I can’t be mad to finish the year with a season’s best.”

Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics