US national champion Jordan Anthony wins world indoor 60m crown as GB’s Jeremiah Azu misses out on medal
Defending champion Azu was just 0.01s outside the medals as 21-year-old Anthony announced his arrival onto the global stage with a world-leading time
US national champion Jordan Anthony ran a world-leading 6. 41s to claim a first world indoor title in the men’s 60m, announcing the arrival of a new sprinting star on the global scene. Britain’s Jeremiah Azu made a brilliant start but faded in the closing few metres to miss out on the chance to defend his title from Nanjing, China.
There was a lengthy wait for the result to be confirmed as there were several athletes within fractions of a second each other behind the American star, who was well clear at the front. Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, the Olympic and world 100m silver medallist, took silver with a personal best of 6. 45s, with American Trayvon Bromell taking bronze on the same time.
A close final was guaranteed as all the big names qualified within 0. 05s of each other: Bromell set a then-world-leading time of 6. 42s as he won the second semi-final, with Anthony equalling his personal best of 6.
43s and Azu setting a new PB as they finished first and second respectively in the last semi. Anthony took gold from Thompson and Bromell (REUTERS) Azu was narrowly run out of the medals (AP) Azu’s 6. 45s brought him within 0.