Devynne Charlton further cemented her place among the greats of women’s sprint hurdling on Sunday, matching her own world record to win a third consecutive World Indoor 60-meter hurdles title at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26.
The Bahamian standout stopped the clock at 7.65 seconds, equaling the mark she produced to win gold in Glasgow in 2024 and becoming the first woman to win the title three times.
A final worthy of the stage
Charlton’s victory came at the end of a high-caliber final that delivered both speed and drama from the gun to the line.
The Netherlands’ Nadine Visser took silver in 7.73 seconds, while Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska thrilled the home crowd by posting the same time. She was awarded bronze after finishing just five thousandths of a second behind Visser, and her performance also earned her a Polish record.
The quality of the race was underscored by the depth of the field, with all eight finalists clocking 7.90 or faster. Switzerland’s world 100m hurdles champion Ditaji Kambundji finished fourth in 7.75 seconds, while Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds equaled her personal best of 7.82 seconds to place fifth.
Semi-finals hinted at something special
The signs were there well before the final.
In the semi-finals, Skrzyszowska and Kambundji had both run a joint world-leading 7.76 seconds, sending a clear warning to the field. Charlton, however, responded emphatically in the next race, producing a 7.74 seconds despite easing slightly as she crossed the line.
Just over an hour later, the finalists returned to the track, with Charlton drawn in lane six next to home favorite Skrzyszowska.
Charlton did not execute a flawless opening, but her composure and closing strength once again separated her from the field.
“I didn’t have the best start, I stumbled a bit but I tried to fix it as fast as I could,” said Charlton, who now adds this third world indoor title to a medal collection that also includes bronze from 2022.
That latest triumph also deepened her mark on championship history. Charlton now owns three of the four fastest winning times ever recorded at the World Indoor Championships: 7.65, 7.65, and 7.72 seconds.
“I knew I had run the world record,” she added. “I knew I had it when I crossed the finish line. I know I could have run a bit faster, too, but not having the best start, I will take it. Since Glasgow, I have been improving a lot, and today I am really proud to win my third world indoor title in a row.”
Visser and Skrzyszowska rise to the moment
Though Charlton claimed the spotlight, the race also brought major moments for the medalists behind her.
Visser added silver to the bronze medal she won in 2018, and she acknowledged the level required to challenge for gold.
“I had to run a record to win, that is why I have to stay happy that I came second, I did my best race,” she said. “I still have some space in which to improve, especially over my first hurdle and with my acceleration from the blocks.”
For Skrzyszowska, bronze carried both national significance and personal meaning. Her medal was the second hurdles medal for host nation Poland, following Jakub Szymański’s victory in the men’s event on day two.
“Polish hurdling is becoming a global power,” said the 2024 world indoor bronze medalist. “I did a strong dip at the finish line, and it paid off. Honestly, I do not know which medal I rate more highly. The one from Glasgow gave me the belief that I could do it, but each of them means a lot to me.”
Bahamas shows its depth
Charlton was not the only Bahamian athlete to leave a mark on the event.
She was joined in the final by compatriot Denisha Cartwright, who finished seventh in 7.90 seconds. The Bahamas nearly placed a third athlete in the championship race as well, with Charisma Taylor missing qualification by just five thousandths of a second after running a personal best 7.91 seconds.
Taken together, the performances offered a powerful reminder that Bahamian hurdling is not defined by one star alone, even if Charlton continues to set the standard.
