The American runs a fast 6.41 in Torun, beating Keeshan Thompson, Trayvon Bromell and defending champion Jeremiah Azu.
When it comes to the global sprint scene, there’s a new kid on the starting blocks. Jordan Anthony, 21, convincingly beat a world-class team in a world-leading time of 6.41 to win gold for the US men’s 60m on the first day of the world indoor championships in Torun.
It was not a fairytale final for Jeremiah Azu as the Briton’s world title defense saw him miss out on the medals in 4th place with a time of 6.46. American Trayvon Bromell also crashed out as the world indoor champion in Portland 10 years ago couldn’t quite make a triumphant comeback as he finished third in 6.45, the same time as runner-up Keeshan Thompson of Jamaica.
Instead, the day belonged to Anthony. A long day too, with heats in the morning and semi-finals in the evening, with the final taking place over the course of 11 hours.
Amazingly, he cruised to victory in Torun despite suffering a shock blood clot on the eve of the championship after failing a drugs test. “I did a drug test, they took blood, but my vein didn’t stick, it stayed outside,” he explained.
Anthony is certainly a rising force in the sprints arena, as he won the NCAA indoor 60m and outdoor 100m titles last year and then the USA 60m title earlier this season.
Born in California, he grew up in Tylertown, Mississippi, attending the University of Kentucky, followed by the University of Arkansas. He initially combined athletics with American football, where he played as a wide receiver. However, lately he has focused on the number 1 Olympic sport.
He looked relaxed at the start in Torun on Friday night and enjoyed a blistering start, pulling away from his rivals in style to win by four-hundredths of a second.
At one point, it was unclear who had won the minor medals, and even the computer results had trouble working it out. But Olympic 100m silver medalist Thompson settled for second with Brommel third and Azu fourth as the rest of the field, led by Cameroon’s Emmanuel Esseme, finished more than a tenth behind.
Azu had earlier improved his Welsh record of 6.45 in the semi-final, ahead of Anthony’s 6.43 to put him second in the UK all-time record behind only Dwayne Chambers’ 6.42.
Anthony said: “Winning the gold is great, but to be honest, I’m more excited for the fans than for myself. I’m happy to sign autographs and interact with them a bit.
“Before the semifinals, I talked to Trayvon Bromell’s coach, Antonio. I told her that Trayvon would be running his race and I would follow him. When I saw that he ran 6.42, I said. “okay, right, now I have to run faster.”
“The final was a great race, but I still have a lot in the tank. Most importantly, I did my debut right and I bring the gold medal back to the USA.
“I used to play college football and perform in front of a lot more people, but coming out here today made me a little more excited. It was easy for me. This proves to me that I have chosen the right sport. I’m looking forward to the outdoor season.”
