SINCE HER BRONZE MEDAL in Paris, Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn has been unbeatable in the hurdles. The ’21 Olympic champion had never won the DL title before. Three-time champion Tobi Amusan would not be present, having ended her season in the Olympic semis. Neither would Olympic champ Masai Russell, who called it quits a week ago.
Instead JCQ in lane 4 faced world leader Ackera Nugent (5) and silver medalist Cyrena Samba-Mayela (6) to her right and the Paris 4th (Nadine Visser in 2) and 5th (Grace Stark in 3) to her left.
Over the first two hurdles, the field ran remarkably even. By hurdle 3 an order started to emerge, Visser and Camacho-Quinn leading together and Stark in 3rd. At 4, Stark dropped back and Nugent took over the 3rd spot.
JCQ continued to drive, building a lead over Visser as Nugent challenged. Over the final hurdles, the Kentucky alum had a momentum that could not be denied. She drove to the finish in 12.38, with Visser edging Nugent for 2nd, 12.54–12.55 and Stark grabbing 4th in 12.59.
“Performance-wise it was a bit sloppy today, but it’s really cold,” said Camacho-Quinn. “I did the best I could and I was able to win, so I finally have that trophy.”
Her motivation, she said, stems from Paris. “I got bronze, but I wasn’t satisfied. I almost false-started and when I realized that, I held back a little bit and then the gun went off. Something that minor cost me the gold. It was difficult to accept, because I was ready to make history and to win my second gold medal, but it is what it is and I cannot go back and change it. Now I’m just looking forward.”
Results (wind +0.4)
1. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PR) 12.38; 2. Nadine Visser (Neth) 12.54; 3. Ackera Nugent (Jam) 12.55; 4. Grace Stark (US) 12.59; 5. Danielle Williams (Jam) 12.62; 6. Tonea Marshall (US) 12.71; 7. Cyréna Samba-Mayela (Fra) 12.78; 8. Pia Skrzyszowska (Pol) 13.16.
