Auburn’s Ja’Kobe Tharp sets new world record in the 110-meter hurdles

The world of track and field has a new king of the 110-meter hurdles, and he hails from Auburn.

A Historic Performance

Auburn standout Ja’Kobe Tharp delivered an electrifying performance at the NCAA Championships this past Wednesday, shattering the world record in the 110-meter hurdles. Clocking in at a blistering 12.75 seconds, Tharp narrowly surpassed the long-standing record of 12.80 set by fellow American Aries Merritt back in 2012.

This record-breaking run secured Tharp a victory in his semifinal heat, propelling him forward to compete for a national title this week.

Building a Championship Legacy

The junior from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, continues to add to what has already been an incredibly decorated career at Auburn. Last year, Tharp captured both NCAA and USATF outdoor national championships in the 110-meter hurdles. He maintained that momentum this winter by securing his second consecutive NCAA indoor national title in the 60-meter hurdles.

Tharp’s prowess isn't limited to the 110-meter event. Earlier this year, he set a new collegiate record in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 7.32—the second-fastest time ever recorded by an American and the third-fastest globally. That spectacular indoor season earned him the prestigious title of National Indoor Male Track Athlete of the Year.

With a fresh world record now to his name, Tharp is set to chase yet another national title as the NCAA outdoor championships conclude this week.